National Basketball League of Canada Announces Oshawa Franchise
August 8, 2011 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release
(TORONTO, ON) The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce that the city of Oshawa, Ontario has been formally accepted as the first expansion team to join the league in its inaugural season.
"What a great day for the NBL Canada and for the city of Oshawa," said National Basketball League of Canada President & CEO, Andre Levingston. "We are thrilled to bring professional basketball to this city. Oshawa's team will not only provide an extremely high level of basketball and family entertainment, but will also serve as a fantastic vehicle to support the community through both traditional and creative ways of giving back."
Levingston says that he and the team's ownership group are looking forward to continuing to build a working relationship between the NBL and Oshawa's municipality.
"Oshawa's city officials have been supportive of the team's approval process, and are keen to bring exciting entertainment to its region."
In early November, the team will tip off at the General Motors Centre where they will play an 18 regular season home game schedule.
The team is currently holding an online contest to allow the city to name its first-ever professional basketball team. Those interested can submit their suggestions online at www.durhamnblcanada.com.
OSHAWA OWNERSHIP GROUP
ISAAC OLOWOLAFE JR.
President & CEO
Dream Maker Realty and Dream Fund Holdings
Isaac Olowolafe Jr. is a registered real estate broker and successful business owner. Mr. Olowolafe Jr. is the President & CEO of both Dream Maker Realty Inc. (DMR) and Dream Fund Holdings (DFH).
Basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada and to have an avenue like the NBL, it will greatly help to showcase the burgeoning talent Canada has and give Canadian players the opportunity to play the sport they love in front of their friends and family.
HENRY CHOW
President of Uptown Communications
Henry Chow of Uptown Wireless is one of the Canada's largest authorized dealers for Rogers Communications, providing the latest communication products and services to corporate and retail customers in the Greater Toronto Area for over 25 years.
Oshawa has the existing basketball infrastructure and with its long history of sports culture, promises to emerge and flourish as a flagship NBL franchise while offering tremendous basketball action and outstanding entertainment value.
MARK TAYLOR
Highly Recognized Canadian Actor
Toronto native Mark Taylor is a veteran actor who's credits include "Seventeen Again" and "Student Bodies". He also received Gemini nominations for his roles in "Flashpoint", " Doomstown" and "Drop the Beat"
The growth of basketball in the last 10-15 years has been tremendous and shows we have just as much talent in this country as anywhere else in the world. All we need is the effort to harness this talent and I know the NBL will be the league to get that job done.
LEE-EL HARDING
Industrial Scaffolding Business
Lee-El Harding has been previously been involved with marketing and sales at Rogers cable and also has been a part of management teams and a lead hand on various projects for industrial scaffolding in Alberta. Though very successful in both endeavours, this is not where his heart truly lies.
The possibilities are endless and a professional league like the NBL will keep home grown talent right here where they belong. The opportunities to develop young men athletically and professionally through the creation of jobs and unique skill sets will only enhance the landscape of the sport here in Canada.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from August 8, 2011
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
