Moncton looking likely for basketball
Moncton looking likely for basketball
Pro hoops appears headed for Metro
Published Friday July 1st, 2011
Team ownership group now needs a stadium agreement
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by neil hodge
Times & transcript staff
It looks like a certainty that Moncton will be part of the National Basketball League of Canada in its first season.
The ownership group that was looking to put a franchise in Kingston, Ont. has stopped negotiations with that city. It has suddenly turned its attention to Moncton and has already started talks to reach an agreement for use of the city-owned Moncton Coliseum.
"That ownership group is very committed to operating a professional basketball team this season," said Halifax Rainmen president and owner Andre Levingston, who is also the league president.
"I've had discussions with this ownership group about Moncton. I told them that Moncton is a viable city that's excited about having professional basketball. It's a growing city with lots to offer and I think it would be a great market for the league."
Whether Moncton gets a professional basketball franchise only depends on one thing. Can the ownership group strike a stadium agreement?
"We are in negotiations towards finalizing a contract," said Ian Fowler, the City of Moncton's general manager of economic development, tourism and culture. "This contract will need to go to city council to be approved. The i's aren't dotted and the t's aren't crossed yet.
"The model of the building contract we're working on mirrors the framework of the contracts that the teams in Halifax and Saint John have. I think that gives us reason for optimism, but until we've reached contract terms and it's been presented to city council and approved by them this is a work in progress.
"We're hopeful that over the next few days we'll get the basic terms completed and then put it in the hands of our city solicitor to draft a contract. Time is of the essence. Right now, a target would be to have a contract to city council for their consideration at their scheduled private session on July 11."
Canada's first national professional basketball league expects to have seven teams in its inaugural season. There's Halifax, the Saint John Mill Rats, Quebec Kebs, Moncton, Charlottetown, London, Ont. and Oshawa, Ont.
The new league will have a 36-game regular season that opens in late October or early November. The top four clubs make the playoffs, which conclude in mid March.
Halifax, Saint John and Quebec left the Premier Basketball League after the 2011 season. The owners of those franchises found new markets and in May announced the creation of the National Basketball League of Canada.
It was announced that Moncton would not be part of the new league this season when it didn't submit a franchise application by the June 15 deadline. Levingston clarified that yesterday.
"June 15 was the deadline for any new markets that we weren't already in discussions with," he said. "That deadline was not for Moncton because we had been in talks with them for a couple of years.
"I think Moncton is a perfect market. Right now, we are working feverishly to get a building deal done so that we can have a professional basketball team there this season."
Halifax has had a professional basketball team the past four years and it averaged 4,000 fans per game in the 2011 season. Saint John is coming off a successful first season with an average of 3,700 fans per game.
Ian McCarthy, the interim chief operating officer, said the new league has a franchise fee that's "in the low six figures."
The annual operating budget for a franchise is in the range of $500,000 to $750,000. Levingston said teams can operate viably with an average of 2,000 fans per game when combined with other revenues such as corporate support.
"We've got serious owners coming in to operate a viable business," said Levingston. "We definitely think we have a model that can work in favour of both the owners and the cities.
"We had our ownership meeting (on Wednesday) and it was one of the best meetings I've been a part of in the past four years. The new owners went away with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm.
"I'm excited for the new markets that will have professional basketball because I know the entertainment that's coming their way. I know what it means to have a team in the community and how the players are role models. A national professional basketball league in Canada is overdue and fans are going to be excited once we get rolling."
Fowler points out the ownership group for a Moncton franchise has asked to not be identified until they have a building contract and the opportunity to meet with city council.
"This is a turn of events that we didn't anticipate, but when the opportunity presented itself and we learned of the principles involved in the ownership of this franchise it's something that became worthy of a second look," said Fowler. "There's three things that really catch our attention.
"First, it's an ownership group that's been successful in the basketball world and also in the business world. Second, they demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of being part of the community and integrating the community into the team.
"Third, some principles in the ownership group have very solid links to Mr. Levingston. You look at the energy and leadership he's provided in operating a solid franchise in Halifax and founding this league. It provides a level of comfort because part of the reason these people want to buy into the league is because they share Mr. Levingston's vision."
Fowler admits he has some concerns about a Moncton franchise having just three months to get ready before training camp begins in October.
"That being said, it's our understanding the ownership group has a couple of national sponsors already lined up to be part of the team," he said. "Time is going to be tight to get a season ticket campaign going, name the team, do a team logo and jerseys, and marketing.
"We've got a very strong basketball community here. If the ownership group comes to terms on a building contract, we're hoping they immediately start developing links with local minor basketball. If they develop that solid foundation, it should speak well for the franchise."
