Winnipeg Rallies for Dramatic Comeback Win Over Scarborough

La meilleure ligue professionnelle de basketball du Canada et son premier commissaire et cofondateur prennent des chemins différents après un mandat de huit ans couronné de succès

Canada’s top pro basketball league and its first Commissioner and Co-Founder part ways following a successful eight-year tenure

Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) ont annoncé aujourd’hui la nomination de Jason Winters à titre de nouveau président du club. Winters se joint aux BlackJacks après avoir occupé le poste de directeur général de Myers Kanata Nissan depuis 2019. Chef d’entreprise très respecté au sein de la communauté ottavienne, lui et sa famille ont également possédé et exploité plusieurs franchises Booster Juice dans la région de la capitale. Détenteur d’abonnements de saison des BlackJacks de longue date, Winters apporte une profonde passion pour le basketball ainsi qu’un solide bilan en matière de partenariats authentiques et de création de valeur tangible pour les parties prenantes. « En tant que détenteur d’abonnement saisonnier et fier partisan des BlackJacks, il a été incroyable de voir l’évolution de l’équipe et la notoriété croissante de la LECB au Canada », a déclaré Winters. « Assumer le rôle de président pour diriger cette équipe et servir notre communauté est un honneur pour ma famille et moi. Je suis enthousiaste et déterminé à bâtir sur les bases solides que les BlackJacks ont déjà établies, avec intégrité, passion et un profond respect pour nos partisans et la communauté d’Ottawa. » Dans son nouveau rôle de président, Jason guidera les BlackJacks vers une ère nouvelle et prometteuse — en renforçant les liens avec la communauté et en accroissant l’impact du club, tant sur le terrain qu’en dehors, alors que l’équipe continue d’élargir sa présence au sein de la LECB et dans toute la région d’Ottawa. « Nous sommes fiers et honorés d’accueillir Jason dans ce rôle de leadership », a déclaré Justin Pascoe, PDG de Diamond Sports Canada. « En tant que membre de longue date de la communauté d’Ottawa, il apporte une vaste expérience professionnelle, une réputation d’excellence et de solides valeurs familiales qui lui ont valu le respect généralisé dans toute la région. » « Le leadership, l'intégrité et la passion de toujours de Jason pour le basketball font de lui la personne idéale pour guider les BlackJacks vers une nouvelle étape prometteuse », a poursuivi Pascoe. « Il incarne les valeurs que nous souhaitons voir représenter par ce club et entretient un véritable lien avec nos partisans et notre communauté. Ensemble, nous ferons des BlackJacks une équipe dont nos partisans, nos commanditaires et notre ville pourront être fiers, tant sur le terrain qu’en dehors. » Diplômé du Collège Algonquin des arts appliqués et de la technologie, Winters vit dans le quartier Old Ottawa South avec sa famille : Sherry, Archer, Zoe et Nevaeah. Les forfaits d’abonnement pour la saison 2026 sont maintenant disponibles en ligne à l’adresse theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . ###

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the appointment of Jason Winters as the club’s new president. Winters joins the BlackJacks having served as the general manager of Myers Kanata Nissan since 2019. A highly respected business leader in the Ottawa community. He and his family have also owned and operated multiple Booster Juice franchises across the Capital Region. A long-time BlackJacks season ticket holder, Winters brings a deep passion for basketball along with a proven track record of building authentic partnerships and delivering meaningful value to stakeholders. “As someone who has been in the stands as a proud season ticket holder and fan of the BlackJacks, it has been incredible to watch the growth and awareness of the team and the CEBL in Canada,” said Winters. “Stepping into the role of President to lead this team and serve our community is something that my family and I are honoured to do. I am excited and committed to building on the foundation the BlackJacks have already established with integrity, passion and a deep respect for our fans and the Ottawa community.” In his new role as President, Jason will lead the BlackJacks into an exciting new era - strengthening community ties and enhancing the club’s impact both on and off the court as the team continues to grow its presence in the CEBL and across the Ottawa region. “We are proud and privileged to welcome Jason into this leadership role,” said Justin Pascoe, CEO of Diamond Sports Canada. “As a long-standing member of the Ottawa community, he brings a wealth of professional experience, a reputation for excellence and strong family values that have earned him widespread respect throughout the region.” “Jason’s leadership, integrity and lifelong passion for basketball make him the ideal person to guide the BlackJacks into an exciting new chapter,” continued Pascoe. “He embodies the values we want this club to stand for and has a true connection to our fans and community. Together, we will make the BlackJacks a team that our fans, sponsors and city can be proud of on and off the court” A graduate of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Winters lives in Old Ottawa South with his family, Sherry, Archer, Zoe and Nevaeah. Season seat packages for the 2026 campaign are now available online at theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . ###

Please join us in welcoming Amanda Chau to the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Amanda joins as Director, Corporate Partnerships, bringing over a decade of experience in partnerships and marketing. Most recently, she was with True North Sports + Entertainment, where she supported the Winnipeg Jets and national partners with business planning, relationship development, and sponsorship strategy. Her background also includes account and project management at Direct Focus Marketing Agency, where she worked across brand strategies, events, and sponsorship opportunities, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the diverse needs of dynamic clients and brands. Welcome to the CEBL team, Amanda!

Joignez-vous à nous pour souhaiter la bienvenue à Jean Couvrette, qui se joint à la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball à titre de directeur principal, partenariats corporatifs. Jean apporte plus de 30 ans d'expérience dans le développement de partenariats, le marketing sportif et la gestion d’équipes de ventes. Il a occupé des postes clés au sein d'organisations telles que le Grand Prix de Formule 1 du Canada, Professional Sports Management, SPORTSQUÉBEC et les Alouettes de Montréal, où il a constamment obtenu d'excellents résultats en matière de commandites et de ventes. Plus récemment, il a agi à titre de consultant pour des organisations de premier plan, dont Soccer Québec, la Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes, les Carabins de l’Université de Montréal, Ironman Mont-Tremblant et Golf Québec. Bienvenue dans l’équipe de la LECB, Jean!

Please join us in welcoming Jean Couvrette to the Canadian Elite Basketball League as Sr. Director, Corporate Partnerships. Jean brings over 30 years of experience in partnership development, sports marketing, and team leadership. He has held key roles with organizations including the Formula One Grand Prix du Canada, Professional Sports Management, SPORTSQUÉBEC, and the Montreal Alouettes, where he consistently delivered strong results in sponsorship and sales. Most recently, he has worked as a consultant with leading organizations such as Soccer Québec, Québec Cycling Federation, Université de Montréal Carabins, Ironman Mont-Tremblant, and Golf Québec. Welcome to the CEBL team, Jean!

Please join us in welcoming Sam Bougha to the Canadian Elite Basketball League as Director, Corporate Partnerships. Sam is a sponsorship marketing professional with experience across the brand, property, and agency sides of the industry. He has led national partnerships, managed multimillion-dollar portfolios, and delivered creative, results-driven campaigns for organizations including Deloitte Canada, the Canada Games Council, and Envision Sports & Entertainment. He brings a strong foundation in sales and client management from roles with Peloton, TD Insurance, and Ricoh Canada, and is passionate about building partnerships rooted in relationships and focused on long-term value for fans, brands, and the property. Sam also gained hands-on experience with the Hamilton Honey Badgers earlier in his career, making this a full-circle moment as he joins the league office. Welcome to the CEBL team, Sam!

Michelle Biskup paced nervously along the sidelines of Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. As Niagara’s Khalil Ahmad stepped to the free-throw line with the 2025 CEBL championship in his fingertips, Biskup couldn’t help but battle flashbacks from one year earlier, when Ahmad missed a shot to win it all. Some things were different: the locale, for one. The River Lions’ path to the Final (one much more fraught this time around), for two. And, of course, Biskup’s title, now president of the franchise. One thing, though, did not change. No matter what happened, Biskup could not control what happened on the court. At least not at this point. “I've gone through the highs, I've gone through the lows, but I just stay even keel until I know it's over,” said Biskup, who has now been with the River Lions for 10 years. Ahmad, of course, went on to make those free throws, clinching the River Lions’ second consecutive championship and matching the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to win multiple titles, let alone go back-to-back. With the trophy, Biskup became the first female president to win a Canadian men’s professional sports title. Detroit Red Wings president Marguerite Norris (1954, 1955) and Los Angeles Lakers boss Jeanie Buss (2020) have also accomplished the feat in the U.S. “Michelle has been a CEBL all-star since day one and has shown incredible commitment, leadership, and perseverance throughout her career with the River Lions,” said CEBL commissioner and co-founder Mike Morreale. “To watch her help guide the team to back-to-back championships while also breaking new ground as the first female president to do so in Canadian men’s pro sports is nothing short of remarkable. She’s a trailblazer in every sense and has earned this tremendous recognition.” “It's a milestone to have my name stamped on history while also showing other young females in sports who are dreaming of having a career in sports that it's attainable,” Biskup said. “It's not something that can't be done because now they can see someone who's done it.” Biskup, the 35-year-old from Burlington, Ont., was a Day 1 staffer of the River Lions 10 years ago when she held the title of operations coordinator. The job only came about through a coincidental meeting with the River Lions owners, when Biskup pitched herself on a whim and suddenly found herself moving from her first job out of school in the entertainment department at Fallsview Casino to a professional basketball organization. Steadily since, she’s risen the ranks until being promoted to president in September. And in her first season atop the organization, she lifted it atop the CEBL. “We really put 12 months into it: into something that we can't control the outcome of as front-office staff. So to have that full-circle moment from last year where, yes, I was involved, I was still a very big part of it as VP, but then for everything that I put into this past year, building a new culture in our office, hiring new staff, making some big changes. It really was like, ‘OK, this made it all worthwhile,’” she said. “There's no greater feeling than winning at the end of the day. There's a reason why everyone wants to win. That's the best, ultimate feeling.” Biskup said the team is almost unrecognizable from when she first started a decade ago — especially when she looks at the Meridian Centre crowd and the River Lions fan base. But even more has changed since she took over as president. Biskup hired team captain Kimbal Mackenzie as community and brand ambassador in a CEBL first — an idea that was born late last off-season and one she hopes will truly take flight now. Meanwhile, she signed head coach Victor Raso to a three-year contract lining up with a three-year Meridian Centre lease, locking in two key aspects of the team. “Knowing that Vic's going to be here every year, or at least for the next three, we can depend on that, that we're going to have that returning group that helps us be successful on the court,” said Biskup, who credited the coach for maintaining season-to-season continuity in a league where that’s rare. “It helps us be successful off the court too, right? It's great for our sales staff to be able to call people and say, we're back-to-back champions or we have their favourite players returning. So that consistency is really big.” Raso has worked next to Biskup for the past eight years. “I've seen her go from doing absolutely everything to doing absolutely everything as the president,” he said. The coach described Biskup as “incredibly hard-working,” saying she’s created a culture of “doers” while keeping the atmosphere light and fun with plenty of laughs. He added that he’s always coordinated closely with Biskup, with whom he enjoys a strong two-way relationship of trust. “Michelle and I always talked about what we were doing on a day-to-day basis, but never from the perspective of she's my manager. So for her and I, it was a cool experience this year. She's always let me do my thing with the basketball and trusted me with decisions and budgets and everything,” he said. To Raso, Biskup is the “lifeblood” of the River Lions. “She can run a professional sport organization like with her eyes closed now. And I don't think people really understand how much actually goes into that,” he said. Now, Biskup’s next task is one that’s never been done before: win three straight championships. After last season’s motto was ‘Run It Back,’ Biskup said conversations are already underway about next year’s slogan, with the word dynasty being thrown around. “That's definitely the goal for us to make that next stamp on history is being the first team to do a three-peat,” she said. It’s a topic with which Biskup is now quite familiar. - CEBL -