The Canadian Elite Basketball League may give 麻豆精选 basketball fans the slam dunk they鈥檝e been looking for.
While most professional leagues are struggling to create revenue during the pandemic, the CEBL is looking to expand, taking a serious look at placing a team in 麻豆精选 for the 2022 or 2023 season.
In just its second season of existence, the CEBL completed its 2020 season in a bubble format, being the first Canadian professional sports league to return and do it successfully amid COVID-19.
Now, with teams in Abbotsford, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Guelph, Hamilton, Ottawa, and St. Catharines, Ont., commissioner and CEO Mike Morreale said the league is eyeing 麻豆精选 as the next city to join CEBL basketball.
鈥淎s far as the size of the actual city, it鈥檚 a little bit smaller than some of ours, but it does swell in the spring and summer months,鈥� said Morreale.
鈥淏ecause we鈥檙e a spring and summer league it affords us an opportunity to attract a larger customer base there.鈥�
Morreale said Prospera Place would serve as 麻豆精选鈥檚 arena, noting the capacity is similar to the Abbotsford Centre, home of the Fraser Valley Bandits. Having both 麻豆精选 and Fraser Valley in the same division would also make for a strong rivalry, according to Morreale.
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In terms of a possible buyer for a 麻豆精选 franchise, the league has had some interest, although it currently operates as single-entity ownership, controlling all the eight teams. According to Morreale, the league鈥檚 structure was done purposely to create a sustainable, successful business model.
鈥淚t would still be our preference to find a local ownership group, but it doesn鈥檛 preclude us from going out there first and then operating it and selling it later,鈥� said Morreale.
The CEBL is considered tier 1 basketball by Basketball Canada and draws nearly 2,000 fans (when playing in front of fans) a night. The league serves as a developmental league for the NBA, paying its players anywhere from $500 to $1500 a game over a 20 game schedule.
Staying true to the country that encompasses the league, the CEBL ensures at least 70 per cent of its teams鈥� rosters are Canadian, a decision that helps showcase the country鈥檚 best talent.
鈥淪ome teams will play with all Canadian players,鈥� said Morreale.
鈥淭he Saskatchewan Rattlers won in year one with all Canadians and Ottawa played an all Canadian roster this year. Our talent level, outside the NBA, this is the best basketball league in the country without a doubt.鈥�
The Edmonton Stingers captured the 2020 CEBL Championship. You can catch 麻豆精选鈥檚 Grant Shepphard, alumni of 麻豆精选 Secondary School, play for the Fraser Valley Bandits when the CEBL returns to play in the spring of 2021.
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