Idaho Stampede leaving Boise, headed for Salt Lake City

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — The Idaho Stampede lost 30 games this season.

And now Boise is losing the Stampede.

On Monday, the Utah Jazz announced that the Stampede would be moving to Salt Lake City and will be re-branded as the Salt Lake City Stars.

They will start playing at Salt Lake Community College next season.

"Simply put, this change today made basketball and business sense," said Steve Starks, president of the Utah Jazz.

The nickname 'Stars' pays tribute to the old Salt Lake City Stars, which were members of the American Basketball Association, and the Utah Starzz, a WNBA team.

The Jazz bought the team in March 2015 from a group of partners, including Bill Ilett.

"It's a sad day for a lot of folks," he said through a radio interview with KTIK radio.

Ilett thinks the motivation for the Jazz to relocate the team stems from trying to work out a deal with CenturyLink Arena in Boise.

"I urged (the arena) to do a collaboration and work with them and from my viewpoint and I think the Jazz's, that didn't come to volition,' Ilett said.

The D-League wants to create a 30-team league. Right now they are at 22.

"I know for a fact there are at least 20 cities bidding for those,' Ilett said. "I think the ship has sailed as far as the Boise Valley."

The Stampede began playing in Idaho in 1997.