A summer league that launched in May, 2019 with six teams playing a 20-game schedule. Established in conjunction with Canada Basketball, it billed itself as the ‘Official First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball’. “The partnership formally makes the CEBL a Division 1 League of Canada Basketball, adhering to official FIBA rules and regulations for the play and officiating of its games. Mutual benefits come in shared resources focused on the development of players, coaches, game officials, and community engagement and marketing opportunities. “We are very pleased to welcome the Canadian Elite Basketball League as an official partner of Canada Basketball,” said Glen Grunwald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Basketball. “Under the leadership of Mike Morreale and Richard Petko, the CEBL has proven to be committed to operating with high professional standards that align with those of Canada Basketball and FIBA. It is a league created by Canadians for Canadians. Aligning with the CEBL to achieve our mission of developing Canadian basketball will greatly benefit players, coaches, officials, and fans of our sport as we continue to work to grow the game domestically.” 

        “For the first season, all franchises will be owned and fully funded by the league’s corporate structure, although each team will operate individually under the guidance of a head coach and general manager. Beyond 2019, the CEBL is structured in such a way that each franchise could be sold off as an individual entity or as part of a full-league package to a major investor,” Canadian Press reported.

        League founder Richard Petko said the CEBL wants to attract talented Canadians who play in other fall/winter leagues around the world when they return home to spend the spring and summer months in Canada. “If player A is earning $30,000 per month in Europe, we may be willing to pay that player $10,000 per month to do the four-month season here in Canada and see if they are willing to take that opportunity to play at home, to play in the summer.”

        MEMBERSHIP:

Fraser Valley (Abbotsford) Bandits

Edmonton Stingers

Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) Rattlers

Guelph Nighthawks

Hamilton Honey Badgers

Niagara (St. Catharines) River Lions:

        Teams are required to have 70% of their roster as Canadians. Teams were allowed 19 players on their training camp rosters but had to cut the roster to 10 by the start of the season, seven of whom had to be Canadian.