Former GM Rawlyk confirms Calgary group as new owners of Sask. CEBL team

Barry Rawlyk won’t be joining the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club for their next chapter as a franchise, though it’s a life change he isn’t dwelling over.

Rawlyk, the longtime general manager of Saskatchewan Rattlers, did not have his contract renewed by the team earlier this month in what’s become a complete housecleaning by the CEBL club.

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Speaking exclusively with 650 CKOM, Rawlyk said he originally received the news in October that he would not be returning in 2026.

“I was at the point where I was a little tired of struggling trying to operate the team with the limited resources that we were allowed to operate with,” Rawlyk said.

Change is on the way for the former Rattlers franchise, who have indicated a complete rebrand is imminent with an updated name and identity to begin “a new era of basketball in Saskatoon.”

That includes new ownership for the organization, with Rawlyk confirming the team has been sold to a private ownership group which heads up the rival Calgary Surge.

“I wasn’t surprised that it happened,” Rawlyk said.

“Over the period of seven years, there was concerted efforts to try and find local ownership that never materialized. I don’t think that the business plan was ever put forward that was appealing enough to local owners to buy the team.”

According to Rawlyk, the Rattlers were the final team in the league to be owned by Canadian Basketball Ventures, an off-shoot of the CEBL which owned and operated all six of the league’s inaugural franchises.

Private ownership was the goal for the Rattlers who have not qualified for CEBL playoffs since the 2022 season, however a deal with a local owner never came to fruition.

Rawlyk added this could be a make-or-break season for the team staying in Saskatchewan, with plenty of eyes from Calgary ownership expected to evaluate the team’s bottom line.

“I don’t think [the new owners] have a lot of skin in the game to be honest with you,” Rawlyk said. “I think if things don’t work well here, I could easily see the team being moved.”

A partial move out of SaskTel Centre is also expected to be announced in the coming days after the team’s schedule was posted with ‘TBD’ listed beside all home games this summer, with up to half of those home dates set to be played at the smaller Merlis Belsher Place.

Along with the contracts of Rawlyk, president Lee Genier and head coach Eric Magdanz not being renewed, the team will have a brand new look and name when they hit the court.

Though Rawlyk isn’t thrilled with the timing of a complete rebrand.

“A bunch of people go out and spend a bunch of money on Rattlers gear,” Rawlyk said. “They turn around a couple weeks later after Christmas and see the Rattlers are no more. I think that’s disrespectful to the fan base that have supported the team through the seven years.”

The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club as they’re currently known, have turned down interview requests to 650 CKOM ahead of their rebrand announcement next week.

Moving on to the next chapter of his career, Rawlyk is hopeful professional basketball will continue to be played in Saskatchewan with the ability to attract world class players to the province.

“I’m hoping that the new ownership is committed enough to the market and to the fan base that’s here,” Rawlyk said.

“That they would pour in the appropriate amount of resources in order to make the team competitive, I think that’s the first thing that has to happen.”

The organization is planning to unveil their rebrand and address the changes for the first time on Feb. 4.

Read more:

• Saskatchewan’s pro basketball club drops ‘Rattlers’ from name, looking for new GM
• Former Rattlers basketball team searches for new coaches
• 70-year-old Saskatoon runner basking in new Canadian record