Manitoba government promising up to $1M to support bid for basketball championship

Share

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is promising up to $1 million dollars to support a bid by the Winnipeg Sea Bears to host the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship in 2025.

The Sea Bears joined the league this year and have posted a record of 12 wins and eight losses so far.

Premier Heather Stefanson says hosting the championship would bring economic benefits to Winnipeg.

Hamilton Honey Badgers players and team members celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship final, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 in Ottawa. The Manitoba government is promising up to $1 million dollars to support a bid by the Winnipeg Sea Bears to host the league championship in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Hamilton Honey Badgers players and team members celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship final, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 in Ottawa. The Manitoba government is promising up to $1 million dollars to support a bid by the Winnipeg Sea Bears to host the league championship in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The Progressive Conservative government also supported a bid to host the Canadian Football League championship with up to $5.5 million.

That bid was successful and Winnipeg was awarded the Grey Cup for November 2025.

The announcement comes on the last day before a blackout begins on most government new conferences in the lead-up to the provincial election slated for Oct. 3.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2023.