National Basketball League of Canada Announces London Team
August 10, 2011 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release
(Toronto - ON ) The National Basketball League of Canada's President & CEO, Andre Levingston, is pleased to announce that the city of London, Ontario has been officially accepted and approved to begin play in the 2011-12 season.
"Mayor Fontana and the London city council were extremely aggressive and supportive in welcoming professional basketball to the city," says Levingston. "They truly understand what professional sport will mean for their local economy and for their community. If we receive the kind of support across Canada that the city of London has shown us, I have no doubt that this will one day be the most successful league in North America and one of the best places to play in the world."
Levingston says that he could not be more excited about having the London ownership group consisting of Vito Frijia and Taylor Brown associated with the National Basketball League of Canada.
"Mr. Frijia and Mr. Brown are two very successful businessmen who have been involved in the sport of basketball for years. We're looking forward to having their expertise and passion on board for many years to come."
Frijia and Brown also applaud London city council's support in bringing professional basketball to the region.
"As a life-long fan of the game of basketball I take great pride in bringing this great sport to London," says Frijia. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Joe Fontana, John Winston (General Manager of Tourism London) and London city council who have been extremely supportive and instrumental in bringing this franchise to life."
The London team will kick-off their 18 home game schedule at the John Labatt Centre in early November.
"We are extremely excited about the launch of the National Basketball League of Canada and our London team," says Taylor. "We have already received a tremendous amount of interest and support from the community as a whole and the local basketball fans."
About The London Ownership Group
Taylor Brown
Taylor Brown is the commercial leasing manager and property manager for Southside Group based out of London, ON. Southside Group is one of the largest private land development firms and general contractor in Southwestern Ontario. Taylor played university basketball for five seasons at the University of Guelph and has coached at the high school level in London for past five seasons.
Vita Frijia
Vito Frijia, of London, Ontario, is the Owner and President of London Sports and Entertainment Corporation as well as the Southside Group of companies. Southside Group specializes in general contracting, residential subdivision development and property development but is also one of the leading commercial real estate developers in Southwestern Ontario. Vito played basketball on the Fanshawe College Falcons team, leading the team to two consecutives National Championships, earning a spot in the OCAA Hall of Fame, and for the past eight years he has coached both junior and senior boys basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from August 10, 2011
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