TORONTO – Retired longtime CFL receiver Mike Morreale hopes he can parlay his football background into a successful league for Canadian basketball players and fans.
Morreale is the CEO of the new Canadian Elite Basketball League that will tip off in May of 2019.
“The opportunity to get back into sport was huge, and very important, it’s something I’m passionate about,” Morreale said. “It’s great to get back into it and get your hands dirty and hopefully create some positive change.”
The inaugural campaign will see a 20-game regular-season schedule and single-elimination playoffs, with teams in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton, the Niagara region, Guelph, Ont., and B.C.’s Fraser Valley, B.C.
Each team will have a 12-player roster, with a Canadian-player quota similar to the CFL.
Morreale was the president of the CFL Players’ Association until 2014, and was working with a Calgary-based private jet company when he crossed paths with Richard Petko, the owner of the Niagara River Lions which currently play in the 10-team National Basketball League of Canada.
While the NBL is about to wrap up its season, the CEBL will operate May through August, and will play under FIBA rules, which include 10-minute quarters.
Among other personnel announcements Wednesday, Greg Francis will be the league’s head of basketball, in charge of coach and player recruitment. Francis is Canada Basketball’s manager of men’s high performance.
Morreale is the CEO of the new Canadian Elite Basketball League that will tip off in May of 2019.
“The opportunity to get back into sport was huge, and very important, it’s something I’m passionate about,” Morreale said. “It’s great to get back into it and get your hands dirty and hopefully create some positive change.”
The inaugural campaign will see a 20-game regular-season schedule and single-elimination playoffs, with teams in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton, the Niagara region, Guelph, Ont., and B.C.’s Fraser Valley, B.C.
Each team will have a 12-player roster, with a Canadian-player quota similar to the CFL.
Morreale was the president of the CFL Players’ Association until 2014, and was working with a Calgary-based private jet company when he crossed paths with Richard Petko, the owner of the Niagara River Lions which currently play in the 10-team National Basketball League of Canada.
While the NBL is about to wrap up its season, the CEBL will operate May through August, and will play under FIBA rules, which include 10-minute quarters.
Among other personnel announcements Wednesday, Greg Francis will be the league’s head of basketball, in charge of coach and player recruitment. Francis is Canada Basketball’s manager of men’s high performance.