The 2-and-0 Edmonton Stingers play the second half of a back-to-back tonight in Montreal against the 0-and-2 Alliance. You can watch the games for free on CEBL+ (link). Now let's talk about the league for a couple moments.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) was founded in 2017 with the mantra "A league created by Canadians for Canadians". In 2018 the original six teams were announced. The league now has 10 teams. These are easy facts you can find anywhere.

What the teams and league need more of is people talking about them and expressing opinions. The best place I have found is the Discord (link) channel "CEBL Community" the "unofficial Discord of the league". Kept the Discord handles instead of real names for continuity purposes if anyone were to join the group.

What drew you to the CEBL and your team specifically?

@jonnyboych18: I’ve always been a basketball fan even played the sport itself so when I heard there was a league coming and a team in Saskatchewan coming I got season tickets in the first season.

@Stampede City Star: I became friends with a River Lions fan sometime ago, and he introduced me to the league. Once I found out a team was coming to Calgary, I was immediately on board. Couldn’t afford season tickets but when I went to my first game last season, it was so much fun

@Charger03: Started following the league in 2021 (before then, I saw it as a gimmick with the NBLC still being the top league in the country, a take that has aged horribly) and quickly got hooked, once my original team, Guelph was relocated to Calgary, I debated staying a fan for a bit, but I eventually changed my Fandom to the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2023 due to already cheering for most Toronto area based teams.

@Rose City Rebel: Was a River Lions fan from Niagara back in the NBLC days

@Caden: Being from a place that doesn’t get cool things often, and sharing a common basketball interest with my dad

Robert Mitchell, Facebook CEBL fan group (link): Winning was a big deal for Edmonton. Short of that making sure the on floor product is entertaining. Easy to understand rules, with consistent calls so fans know when and why the calls are made. In game PA announcer explanations of rules was great. Keeps fans involved.

What do you feel the team and league have done well in garnering the attention they deserve? What more would you like to see?

@jonnyboych18: The teams and league has done well marketing the league and its teams, but I feel they should try to get more commercials out there on tv and ads, they have done great with tv deals, but if they get there product more out there they’ll get attention.

@Stampede City Star: The Surge market really well. They have secured a presence in Calgary. They have a passionate fanbase. I just wish tickets weren’t so brutally expensive

@Charger03: Scarborough markets itself pretty well, I think they would benefit more by getting the word out there though more TV/Radio ads around the city, do that and secure a larger arena (which it sounds like they are in the process of) and they'll grow to be one of the CEBL's largest, and most passionate fanbases.

@Rose City Rebel: Used to run a page called Niagara Sports Unleashed. Marketing has been top notch. I can’t wait for more expansion!

@caden: Id like to see the league being able to expand into the biggest Canadian markets, and attracting players with NBA and other pro experience to raise the competition level.

Robert Mitchell (Facebook): The biggest thing is make it easy to follow. The arena is sold out? Get those games televised with a decently high level of production. Flood social media with highlights, interactive games, freebies, etc.

What are you waiting for?

This question goes to the general public who have not yet been to a CEBL game in their market. If you heard about the elam ending and it scares you because it is different, you will always find a fan seated close to you willing to explain it. If you heard it's FIBA rules instead of NBA rules, for the common fan the only thing you will notice is shorter quarters of play.

See you at the Edmonton Stingers home opener on Sunday. If you join the CEBL Community Discord, my handle there is @Mister Noons.