Day of celebration for Montreal basketball fans. The new professional basketball team is officially born. And it’s called the Alliance de Montréal.
The big unveiling took place Wednesday afternoon between the walls of the building that will be the home of the new team, the Verdun Auditorium.
The Commissioner and CEO of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Mike Morreale, Alliance Vice-President Annie Larouche, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and Verdun Borough Mayor Jean-François Parenteau were all present. for the occasion, in addition to several players in the Montreal sports community.
“We are excited by the entertainment that we bring, by the quality of the basketball that we bring,” said Mr. Morreale in particular. There is no doubt that, with the exception of the Toronto Raptors, this is the best basketball you will see in this country. ”
The logo is that of a blue and white wolf face surrounded by a red line. A fleur-de-lys adorns the animal’s forehead.
The colors refer to other teams that occupy a large place in the Montreal sports landscape. We obviously think of the Montreal Canadiens.
The wolf refers to walking in a pack. Wolves “form a group to hunt their prey, like a team that unites to win matches,” said the commissioner.
The name represents all the communities of Montreal.
“We’re just extremely excited that you are becoming an ally, joining the Alliance and being part of this team,” hinted Mr. Morreale.
The Alliance will play its first match at the start of the next CEBL season, in May 2022. The organization still has a lot of work ahead of it until then. The next step will be to appoint its general manager in the coming weeks, said Annie Larouche.
More details to come.