CEBL Announces Executive Appointments
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the promotion of two league office officials to new positions under an executive leadership structure that reflects the continued rapid growth of Canada’s largest pro sports league. Commissioner and Co-Founder Mike Morreale has appointed CEBL executive vice president John Lashway to Deputy Commissioner, and league vice president Josh Knoester to Chief Operating Officer effective May 1.
All three executives have been with the CEBL since it began and have led the development of the league from a six-team startup to a 10-team FIBA affiliated league licensed by Canada Basketball and considered to be among the best of the 200 FIBA leagues around the world.
“The demands resulting from the continuous growth of the CEBL, the purchase of six clubs by new owners since September, and more growth on the horizon, calls for an enhanced leadership structure within our league office to leverage opportunities and continue to thrive,” said Morreale. “John Lashway and Josh Knoester have played crucial roles since the beginning that has enabled us to grow through the pandemic and position us for further growth year after year. Our league staff is recognized domestically and internationally for its excellence, and Knoester and Lashway have been instrumental in creating and sustaining that reputation.”
Lashway has served a dual role for the CEBL as executive vice president in the league office and president of the Brampton Honey Badgers since that franchise launched in Hamilton in the inaugural season. In his new role as Deputy Commissioner, Lashway will support Morreale with matters between the Commissioner’s Office and team owners, coaches and players, develop new initiatives to grow the CEBL brand, and serve as a conduit between teams and the league office.
As a result of Lashway’s appointment, Ottawa BlackJacks team president Michael Cvitkovic will be relocating to Brampton to become President of the Honey Badgers. Cvitkovic was on staff with the Honey Badgers in 2019 before being named president of the BlackJacks when they became the league’s seventh franchise in 2020. Lashway and Cvitkovic worked together with the Toronto Raptors organization for five years.
Knoester has been accountable for leading all aspects of operations and administration for the CEBL since joining Morreale and Founder Richard Petko in creating the original vision for the league in 2017. He has overseen the operations of each Petko-owned franchise, played a key role in the creation and adherence to league protocols and procedures that have sustained the high standards the CEBL is known for, served as a liaison between teams and their local municipalities, led the execution of the annual CEBL Championship Weekend, and collaborated with FIBA and Canada Basketball in hosting international events. A graduate of Brock University, Knoester began his career with the Niagara River Lions in sales and operations roles.
With 22 years of senior executive experience in the NBA (Portland, Toronto), 10 in the NHL (Toronto), experience in the CFL, minor league baseball, NCAA Division 1, Olympic sports, and being involved in the construction of seven arenas and stadiums, Lashway’s resume is unsurpassed by sports executives in Canada. Under his leadership with the Honey Badgers, the team reached the CEBL Championship game twice in four seasons, winning the title in 2022, and having 50 players sign contracts with the NBA, NBA G League or top international pro leagues. Lashway has helped form strategic basketball and media alliances that have elevated the CEBL brand around the world. He has played a key role in guiding the league through start-up and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to leading the Ottawa BlackJacks, who served as host for the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend, Cvitkovic has overseen broadcasting for the CEBL, installed NBA-level communications practices, and was also central to the league navigating through the pandemic. The CEBL will commence a search to fill the president’s role with the BlackJacks. Knoester, Cvitkovic and other league office members will work closely with Ottawa staff until a new team president is named.
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts 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 pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps last October. The 2023 CEBL season tips off May 24 with the Brampton Honey Badgers visiting the Ottawa BlackJacks in a game that will be nationally televised on TSN. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.