Rent reduced for riders, early budget items approved by Regina Council
3h ago
Regina's city council covered a lot of ground in a three-hour meeting on Wednesday. With all members in attendance, coun...
Another big sporting event is coming to Saskatoon this summer.
The inaugural championship weekend of the new Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) will be played Aug. 25-26 at SaskTel Centre.
“It is a big moment for us because this has been a dream coming to a reality,” league CEO Mike Morreale said Tuesday.
Four teams will square off in a March Madness single-elimination format with the Saskatoon Rattlers guaranteed a spot as the host team.
The semifinals will be played on Saturday, with the champion to be crowned on Sunday.
Other cities were in the running, said Morreale, but Saskatoon rose to the top based on the city’s strong track record of hosting national and international events.
“We knew coming out of the gate as a brand new league, and a brand new team, that this market was open to engaging with new teams and franchises as something different,” said Morreale.
Morreale said being a new league, the host city format made the most sense, adding he’s not concerned the Rattlers having a bye will diminish competitiveness.
“I kind of almost reluctantly didn’t want to say that the host was in it because I didn’t want to give the impression it was freebie,” said Morreale. “I know these guys, and I know they just want to win.”
The championship weekend will be more than just crowning a champion. It will be about engaging with the fans.
Morreale, a former CFL player, said the fan experience will have a Grey Cup vibe to it.
“I have a history with Grey Cup,” he said. “I always felt like it didn’t matter what team you rooted for. Everybody came together and a had a good time. Saskatoon really plays up into that.”
The festivities kick off Aug. 22 with the league awards. Throughout the weekend will be a host of free activities for fans to enjoy.
A three-day street festival downtown will feature DJs, a concert, player appearances and a youth basketball showcase. SaskTel Centre will be the site of tailgating parties before each game.
Tickets for the semifinals and the final are to go on sale June 12.