London Lightning evaluating whether to join new basketball ‘super league’
National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) franchises are evaluating joining a “super league” owned by US-based The Basketball League (TBL).
London Lightning owner Vito Frijia confirmed his club is assessing whether to play in the new TBL-spinoff league.
At a news conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Kitchener, TBL CEO Evelyn Magley, President David Magley, as well as David Schooley, owner of the KW Titans, will be on hand to provide news and details of the new league.
NBLC Vice-President of basketball operations Audley Stephenson told CTV News the NBLC has yet to sign off on any merger, as all the owners are doing their due diligence as to whether this is the right decision for each of them.
He added Schooley is excited about the potential of the super league.
Currently, the NBLC has only four franchises on the court, and their schedule is combined with the TBL to give them more opponents.
Speaking with CTV News Monday afternoon, David Magley said the Premium Basketball Super League will be a “win-win” for both his league and the franchises of the NBLC.
He added very few franchises are turning a profit with the current travel and schedule set up.
Magley’s goal is to have US teams play in the larger Canadian venues more often. All games will be played in arenas, which hold at least 2,500 fans.
Magley said it will give franchises like London, Sudbury, Kitchener, and Windsor the chance to make money by playing more games at home, and spend less on travel.
The TBL teams that play near the Canadian border would travel more, but would be subsidized by the NBLC teams who play in venues which hold more fans.
Stephenson said currently, the NBLC franchise owners have a stake in the league, but should they join the super league, that would not be the case.
At Tuesday’s announcement, principle stakeholders, teams, regions, partners and national sponsors, are to be unveiled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting
During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News.
Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women
A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women.
Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
Bob Bryar, drummer for rock band My Chemical Romance, dead at 44
Bob Bryar, former drummer for the band My Chemical Romance, has died. He was reportedly 44.
Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine U.S. dollar
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
'Disappointing': Toronto speed camera cut down less than 24 hours after being reinstalled
A Toronto speed camera notorious for issuing tens of thousands of tickets to drivers has been cut down again less than 24 hours after it was reinstalled.
Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art
Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits.
Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there
While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period.