The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club announced Wednesday the launch of a season-long national campaign entitled The Road to the Chip, in celebration of 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend being hosted in the nation’s capital.

From August 12-14, the penultimate basketball party will take place in Ottawa, featuring a series of musical acts, artists, and community events supporting the semifinals and championship game of Canada’s pro basketball league.

The Road to the Chip will chronicle the journey to Canadian basketball glory.

From May to August, the brightest stars will shine in communities from coast-to-coast with the support of thousands of hoops fans. World-class athletes will share their stories of sacrifice and perseverance, all for the love of the game. Three expansion franchises have been added to the CEBL this season including the Montreal Alliance, Newfound Growlers, and Scarborough Shooting Stars. With three new teams, the Road to the Chip will now travel through six Canadian provinces and 10 cities before its final destination in the nation’s capital.

For the local pro hoops team, the Road to the Chip also highlights the pride of representing the613. The Ottawa BlackJacks will have their first full season with basketball fans at TD Place Arena. More than an amazing tourist destination, this CEBL season, the BlackJacks will show that all roads lead to Ottawa-the real Canadian hoops capital.

Road to the Chip was born through a true collaboration between the CEBL and its first expansion franchise. While the brand strategy was created by the BlackJacks front office, the artistic design was produced by the marketing team at the league office. The main logo will feature the Road to the Chip word mark in CEBL Championship Weekend gold, and the Ottawa BlackJacks mascot “O.G.” looking forward to the season ahead with the host city “Ottawa” highlighted in bold and gold.

To commemorate this special 2022 CEBL campaign, Road to the Chip will be featured as the centre court logo at the Arena at TD Place. Road to the Chip merchandise will be available for sale at the TD Place store and during all Ottawa BlackJacks home games. Through an exciting partnership with Postmedia and the Ottawa Sun, a national promotional strategy will tip off this month.

Last season in Edmonton, CEBL Championship Weekend festivities included a concert series headlined by Canadian rapper and singer Roy Wood$, currently signed with OVO Sound. Kardinal Offishall, popularly credited as “Canada’s hip hop ambassador” and current judge on Canada’s Got Talent, was the official halftime performer of the CEBL Championship game; and 4Korners, acclaimed DJ and music producer was the official Host DJ. This August in Ottawa, fans can expect even more big-name acts to highlight the importance of music, art and fashion within the basketball culture.

All season long, a series of additional Road to the Chip initiatives will be unveiled for Ottawa BlackJacks fans and supporters of the CEBL.

Ten teams. 107 Games. More than 250,000 kilometres. One trophy. The Road to the Chip marks the official start to the 2022 CEBL journey.

Quotes:

“Our Road to the Chip national campaign signifies the start of our national celebrations leading to the CEBL Championship Weekend this August in Ottawa. Our fourth season will be one of great stories, amazing basketball, and fabulous events from coast to coast. For all our passionate fans, we are proud to bring this energy and excitement to our venues, national broadcast partners, CEBL+, and social media channels so you don’t miss a minute of action.”

Mike Morreale, Commissioner and CEO, CEBL

“Hosting the CEBL Championship Weekend in our city is a tremendous honour. This event will provide the Ottawa BlackJacks the opportunity to show the rest of Canada that our community is a true basketball city. A special thank you to Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, Postmedia and our numerous local partners for not only helping secure right to host the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend, but also for your assistance in co-hosting this amazing event in August. The Road to the Chip will be a special journey.”

Michael Cvitkovic, President, Ottawa BlackJacks

About the Ottawa BlackJacks

The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Having recently completed its second season, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2021 CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd, and Head Coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The BlackJacks and the City of Ottawa have been awarded the rights to host the 2022 CEBL Championship Weekend from August 12-14, 2022 with games taking place in the Arena at TD Place. The CEBL Championship Weekend will be a celebration of basketball, music, and local culture that will feature concerts, street festivals, the CEBL Awards, and several legacy projects to be announced at a later date. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca .

About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. 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 typically runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.