Canadian Elite Basketball League Introduces Calgary Surge

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) unveiled its newest franchise at a press conference Wednesday at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park (COP) in Calgary. The Calgary Surge will begin play when the 2023 season tips off in May, with WinSport Event Centre serving as the team’s home. Usman Tahir Jutt and Jason Ribeiro were introduced as the duo who are bringing pro-basketball to Calgary.

“I couldn’t be any more excited in welcoming Usman Tahir Jutt, Jason Ribeiro, and the great sports fans of Calgary to the Canadian Elite Basketball League,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Calgary has been at the forefront of our expansion plans, and we took our time in identifying an ownership group that is well-regarded in the market, understands the many attributes that make our league unique among Canadian pro sports leagues, and can bring ideas and assets to the league that will benefit every franchise. Having hosted the international Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLAs) at WinSport last March, we are confident it will provide a fantastic and historic experience for fans of the Calgary Surge.”

After an online grassroots campaign that generated thousands of responses, ‘Surge’ was selected as the team’s name. Five-time Canadian Screen Award winner and proud Calgarian Andrew Phung revealed the team’s name and logo to the public for the first time. ‘Surge’ reflects both the continued positive economic and social momentum of Canada’s third-largest city and its fast-paced growth in areas like clean energy, digital transformation and creative industries. It also speaks to the athleticism fans will appreciate from the FIBA style of basketball the CEBL plays. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) plays a faster-paced game and is infused with rule changes that differ from what basketball fans are accustomed to from the NBA, NCAA and U SPORTS.

“I love Calgary and have chosen to build my life and family here. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of the Calgary Surge and combine my passions for sport and community and youth development,” said Usman Tahir Jutt. “Basketball is one of Canada’s fastest growing sports, and I want to make Calgary a basketball town. We can do that with the Surge.”

“I am thrilled we are partnering with one of the most exciting leagues in professional sports and am humbled by the opportunity to give back to a city I love in my bones," said Jason Ribeiro. "Basketball fans know that the game's influence transcends what happens on the court and I will do everything I can to ensure the Calgary Surge becomes a magnet for art and culture, economic development, and civic pride across all four corners of the city.”

“There has been a recent surge of exciting news in Calgary and today’s is no exception,” said Mayor of Calgary Jyoti Gondek. “Basketball has always been played on our streets, but now it will be centre stage as Calgary competes at the national level. It is amazing to have a home team that Calgarians can put their hearts and dedication into. Let’s go Surge!”

In keeping with the tradition of the Calgary sports market, the team colours are red and black and feature grey and white accents. The icon is a menacing hawk with a wing shape that represents all four quadrants of the city uniting as one. The teardrop-styled graphic is a deliberate acknowledgement of the franchise’s origins as the “Nighthawks” and the team’s fans across the country.

The 2021 CEBL Champion Edmonton Stingers hosted Canada’s window of the BCLA competition in March of 2022 at WinSport. Built as a venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics, WinSport is home to more than 15 National and Provincial Sport Organizations, as well as the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, which supports high-performance sport training for countless Olympic and Paralympic athletes and professional athletes. WinSport is also a year-round community sport and recreation hub for thousands of Calgary children, newcomers, and adaptive sport athletes. In a typical year, WinSport generates $120 million in economic activity, 1,200 jobs in Calgary, and welcomes over 1.2 million guests.

The Calgary franchise originated as the Guelph Nighthawks in 2018, one of the six founding members of the CEBL. The organization was relocated from the league’s smallest market to Calgary in August as part of the growing league’s business strategy to have teams in Canada’s largest metropolitan areas. The CEBL features 10 teams in six provinces, making it the largest pro sports league in Canada. The CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U Sports. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season runs May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

QUOTES:

Catriona Le May Doan – President & CEO, Sport Calgary

“Sport Calgary would like to extend a special welcome to the Calgary Surge and the CEBL. As we continue to navigate our way out of the pandemic, sport and recreation have a critical role in helping our nation recover and heal. Having professional basketball in Calgary is sure to inspire more young children to pick up a ball, dribble, run, have fun and enjoy a healthier and more active lifestyle."

Brad Parry – President & CEO, Calgary Economic Development

“The welcoming of another sports franchise to our city only goes to underscore the momentum we’ve seen building in our community for the last few years. Having a professional basketball team in Calgary speaks to the continued diversity in our city’s cultural and entertainment offerings, which plays a key role in our organization’s ability to retain and attract some of the best and brightest talent from around the world.”

Andrew Phung – Award-Winning Actor, Comedian and Writer

“Growing up in the northeast of Calgary, playing basketball and immersing myself in basketball culture were such huge parts of my upbringing. Calgary has become one of the most diverse cities in this country, and to not have a professional basketball team always seemed like a missed opportunity. We’ve been waiting for this day and it’s honestly a dream come true for so many people in Calgary.”

BIO OF USMAN TAHIR JUTT, CHAIRMAN

Usman Tahir Jutt is a father, philanthropist, and President and CEO of Chirp. He is one of the largest employers of young people in Southern Alberta and serves on several not-for-profit boards. 

BIO OF JASON RIBEIRO, VICE-CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT

Jason Ribeiro is a father, community advocate, and Doctoral Researcher at the University of Calgary. He is a fixture in local and national media providing public affairs commentary and serves on several corporate and not-for-profit boards.