"I certainly have some nerves because it's the athlete in me I think," said Morreale, a two-time Grey Cup champion."I just want them to start playing some basketball and see it happen live. It's been three years of my life and now it's just time to get it started."
The CEBL, which will adhere to FIBA rules and regulations, is collaborating with the national basketball federation to serve as a Division 1 league. Each club has a 10-player roster with a Canadian-player quota similar to the CFL. Lower-tier domestic pro sport leagues have had mixed results in Canada. The CEBL will have a two-week overlap with the National Basketball League of Canada, which wraps up its post-season this month.
By playing in the spring and summer, the league hopes to take advantage of the downtime on the international basketball scene to attract talent. It's also easier to book venues with fewer conflicts than the fall-winter period. They established a friendship and their conversations about the sport eventually turned into a business plan, Morreale said.
"I was always privy to the other side," Morreale said."So whether it was team-related finances, or rules, or the CFL and how they operated on all different levels, and how all of the pieces fit together.
coachraso CEBLeague Hey , the Canadian Pro league that’s been running for 8 years, the NBLCanada, started it’s finals series tonight.....just an FYI :) stjohnsedge TheMonctonMagic
mikemorreale18 CEBLeague I hope TSN carries some games.