Ottawa Blackjacks to leap into action next spring

TheOttawa Blackjacks will leap into action atTD Place when theyjointhe Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) next spring.

The league unveiled the name and logo of the city's latest professional basketball franchise during anews conference Wednesday morning.

"Ottawa serves as a great next step for us," said commissioner Mike Morreale, referring to the Ottawa-Gatineau area's university and minor basketball scene."This is an area ripe with talent."

He said the name is aimed at younger fans who will bring their parents and family to the games. The team's logo is a charging jackrabbit in colours mirroring those of the Ottawa Redblacks, Senators and 67's.

There aresix other teams in the CEBL: three in Ontario and one each in Saskatchewanhome of the champion RattlersAlberta and B.C.

According to league rules, their 10-player rostersmust feature seven Canadians.

The Blackjacks can officially start signing players as of Feb. 1.

One draw for prospects is that they can earn up to $1,500 per gamebetween May and August, a period during whichother professional and university leagues are on hiatus, Morreale said.

The Blackjacks areworking to find a coach, general manager and other staff.

Meet Ottawa's new basketball team

5 years ago

Duration 0:53

Mike Morreale, commissioner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, says the new Ottawa Blackjacks will take to the court in May next year.

The league's2020 schedule is coming next week, but Morreale confirmed the Blackjacks will play their first game May 14.

A season ticket deposit campaign is underway on the team's new website.

Ottawa Tomahawks quickly rebranded the Skyhawks followingbacklash from Indigenous people arrived in February 2013 and played just one season before being kicked out of theNational Basketball League of Canada the following summer.

That eight-team league still exists.

"I don't think they played in the proper venue.I'm not sure they were supported properly from a front office perspective," Morreale said when asked about the team's stability in a market that's justseen the Fury soccer team and Champions baseball team bow out.

He said he's confident the team can draw at least 2,000 fans a game, which will mostly be on Thursdays and Sundays.