Canadian Elite Basketball League Suspends Operations in Newfoundland
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that it is suspending operations of its franchise in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
“We would love to play in Newfoundland, but we need to play in a major spectator facility. We appreciate the efforts of all involved to host games during the 2022 season at the Field House at Memorial University, but the lack of amenities required by a professional league at the level of the CEBL have proven to be untenable,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Last season Dean MacDonald and the staffs at Deacon Sports and Entertainment and Memorial University operated as best they could under last minute and difficult circumstances, and we greatly appreciate their efforts to bring world class pro basketball to a community that enthusiastically supports the Growlers. We thank the fans for their support. If the opportunity presents itself to resume operations in St. John’s under better circumstances in the future, we are open to giving that every consideration.”
Newfoundland became the tenth franchise in the CEBL on November 26, 2021 as part of the league’s third round of expansion since it launched in 2018 with six clubs. On Wednesday the league announced expansion to Winnipeg beginning in 2023, its fourth round of expansion that maintains the total of 10 franchises.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL is the only official pro basketball league that is endorsed by the national basketball federation, Canada Basketball, and regulated by the world governing body, FIBA. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October.
