Photo courtesy: Canadian Elite Basketball League
Mike Morreale has departed his role as the commissioner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).
“I’ve decided my journey as commissioner has come to an end, and that my role in this incredible story has served its purpose,” said Morreale in a statement. “I proudly and confidently look forward to the future of this amazing league and the wonderful memories yet to be made. I’ll always be its biggest supporter, its loudest advocate, and a proud founder.”
Founded in 2017, the CEBL has grown to 10 teams across the country and garnered media deals with TSN, Next Level Sports in the United States, Fox Sports Australia, TapGo in Philippines, SingTel in Singapore, and Astro in Malaysia. The Niagara River Lions recently repeated as the league’s champions.
“When Mike Morreale took on this job, this league was just an idea. Mike was determined to see Canada take its rightful place on the basketball stage with a successful professional league here at home, something many thought could not be done,” said Richard Petko, who co-founded the CEBL alongside Morreale.
“Today, as Mike leaves to take on new challenges after a successful eight years at our helm, the league is firmly established, with 10 teams in six provinces. It features an exciting style of play and innovative rules, and boasts a young, diverse and growing fan base of over 4.1 million. Mike has been, and always will be, our foundational leader.”
Morreale played 12 seasons in the Canadian Football League as a member of the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 509 catches for 6,649 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1998 and won two Grey Cups. After his playing career, he spent seven years working for the CFL Players’ Association, including a stint as president.
Tyler Mazereeuw, the president of the CEBL, will oversee the day-to-day operations formerly managed by Morreale.
“The CEBL stands poised for its next chapter,” he Mazereeuw. “We have an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundation that Mike Morreale and so many devoted and hard-working people across Canada have built.”
