Out of Miracles, Moncton Basketball Now Looks to the Magic
MONCTON – The Hub City is getting a new basketball team called the Moncton Magic with three prominent local business people as owners, The National Basketball League of Canada announced today.
The team will be in place for the coming season, and play its 20 home games at the Moncton Coliseum. With this announcement, the Moncton Miracles cease operations effective today, says the league.
The new owners have deep roots in the business community.
David Booth is the Chairman and CEO of BackOffice Associates, a global governance and stewardship platform company headquartered in Northern Virginia. He has extensive business and family ties to Moncton.
Jeremy Milburn, a local entrepreneur who is founder and president of Global Drafting Services, is an avid basketball fan who has supported pro basketball in Moncton since its beginning.
Jon Manship is a local entrepreneur who founded Spielo Gaming International, which was sold to outside interests in 2003. In recent years, he has been an active philanthropist and investor, principally in the startup community.
Manship will also serve as the acting president of the team.
“I am very pleased to be a part of this new group who will continue to bring professional basketball to the great city of Moncton, New Brunswick”, said Manship in a release. “Greater Moncton has a long tradition of passionate support for its community teams, and we intend to apply that same level of passion to our efforts in running this club and the product we put on the floor.”
David Magley, Commissioner of NBL Canada, welcomed the addition of the new team.
“Moncton is one of the original members of the league, its geographic positioning and wonderful fan base make it a vital piece to the long term success of the NBLC,” said Magley in a release. “This group represents a significant commitment to the city and their passion for success and proven track record in their own businesses give us 100 percent confidence that they will build something that all of us will be proud of.”
“On a personal note, I have spent an inordinate amount of time in Moncton over the last couple of years and have a strong affinity for the city and its wonderful people. I would also like to thank the countless volunteers, staff and fan base over the past few years that have been the lifeblood of keeping this past club here until this day could be realized.”