New NBL commissioner on Canada-wide tour in bid to repair league image

The National Basketball League of Canada's new commissioner is on a country-wide tour, hoping to repair the league's image after a physical altercation between the Halifax Rainmen and Windsor Express on April 30, which resulted in the cancellation of Game 7 of the championship series.

"When you say 'brawl,' the first thing that comes to mind is that we must have a bunch of thugs that are playing. We don't want to be known as that … We want to be known as a league that's family-friendly," said David Magley, who was hired by the league's board of directors last month, in the wake of the controversy.

"For us, it's important to build that image back up."

Magley, a former professional basketball player, businessman, and most recently general manager of the NBL Brampton A's franchise, is currently in Saint John as part of a tour of all nine cities that have an NBL franchise.

It starts with the image. It's hard to get extra revenue if we don't fix the image first.- David Magley, NBL commissioner

He says repairing damage to the league's reputation is critical to improving the financial well-being of the teams.

"It starts with the image. It's hard to get extra revenue if we don't fix the image first," he said.

Magley is meeting with owners and general managers, as well as fans and league watchers, hoping to get a broad perspective and ideas for improvement.

Some teams at risk

The NBL recently approved the addition of the Niagara River Lions, who will compete this year as the newest franchise.

A group of business people and organizers are also reportedly trying to get a team in Sydney, N.S., before the start of the 2015-16 season in December.

Despite the expansion, Magley says some existing teams are at risk, while other are stable, even successful.

In Saint John, an infusion of cash from a new group of local owners has solidified the franchise, said Magley. And in London, the Lightening are one of the most successful pro-basketball teams in North America, outside the NBA, he said.

"The three we would be most concerned about are Mississauga, Moncton, and Halifax, for sure. Halifax has a lot of repairing to do, but I believe it's a great basketball market, so we'll be fine," said Magley.

"Moncton, we need to secure new ownership for, and then Missasauga, they have to continue to grow."

Raising profile difficult

Magley says he's confident the league can succeed, with teams made up primarily of former U.S. college basketball players with abundant skill. Still, he admits raising the profile of the league has been challenging.

"Saint John is entering its fifth year in our league, and there's probably people that still don't know about the Mill Rats."

Meanwhile, in other cities, such as Brampton and Mississauga, cracking the Toronto-centric media focus has been difficult, he said.

The next NBL Canada season tips off on Dec. 26.

On April 30, the Halifax Rainmen were in Windsor to play the Express in a winner take all match-up, but the game was cancelled. Hours before tip-off, the teams had a physical altercation inside the WFCU Centre. It led to Halifax forfeiting, and the league awarding the championship to Windsor.

Suspensions and fines totalling $98,000 have since been handed out.