CEBL's championship weekend caps another successful season

Mike Morreale says people thought he was crazy when he became commissioner and chief executive officer of the fledgling Canadian Elite Basketball League four years ago.

Now he can't imagine Canada's basketball landscape without it.

"I was saying to one of my staff last night, 'Can you imagine if the CEBL stopped existing?' The void that would be created," said Morreale, a former longtime CFL receiver.

Heading into the league's championship weekend, which tips off Friday in Ottawa, Morreale reflected on the league's growth.

"With what has happened in those four years, what we've been able to create, we employ approximately 500 people . . . in the staff, the coaches, the players and everybody," he said.

Morreale said he hosted breakfast Wednesday morning with coaches and general managers from across the league — including retired players Joel Anthony and Brady Heslip, who are GMs in Montreal and Scarborough, respectively. It was a great example of the league's connection to Canadian basketball alumni.

"Just being able to be a fly on the wall listening to their experiences and what they liked, and recommendations they may have, or just to share stories," he said. "It's interesting to see the dynamic off the court, and it's all about building the culture, right?"

This past season saw the addition of three new teams in the Montreal Alliance, the Scarborough Shooting Stars and the Newfoundland Growlers — bringing its total to 10.

He said the ability to successfully expand by three teams in what was a seven-team league "is a big leap." That's why it's his highlight of the season.

"You kind of roll the dice a little bit, because it's a leap of faith, but it's been incredible, the flavour that's been added from having 10 teams