The Surge: Calgary’s basketball team named
Posted Oct 19, 2022 11:09 am.
Last Updated Oct 19, 2022 6:42 pm.
Calgary’s newest professional sports team has been named and its logo has been revealed.
The Calgary Surge is joining the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) starting in 2023.
The team’s colour scheme is red and black, in keeping with other pro sports team colours in the city. Its logo bears resemblance to a hawk swooping down talons-first.
Hello @CEBLeague Welcome to the Surge.
Link below to reserve tickets and buy merch.
https://t.co/D6lRFUhzdr#LetsBall pic.twitter.com/NR1zqbtU2D
— CEBL Calgary (@CalgarySurge) October 19, 2022
Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL Mike Morreale, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Canadian Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan, and Calgary Surge co-owners Usman Tahir Jutt and Jason Ribeiro, revealed the name and logo at WinSport Wednesday morning.
The CEBL announced in August the Guelph Nighthawks would be relocating to Calgary, and the team would play regular season home games at WinSport Arena.
“Calgary has been one of our target markets for a long time and relocating a franchise from our smallest market to Canada’s third-largest city will allow the team to remain financially competitive as our league continues to experience tremendous growth,” said Morreale. “Several potential ownership groups have expressed an interest in bringing a team to Calgary, but none has been able to meet our criteria for ownership. The league will continue to own and operate this franchise as we do nine of our 10 teams until a qualified individual or group emerges.”
Jack James High School students pose for a picture with Calgary Surge co-owners Usman Tahir Jutt and Jason Ribeiro. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
Co-Founder of the CEBL Mike Morreale speaks at the reveal of the Calgary Surge basketball team name and logo. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
Officials reveal the name and logo for new Calgary CEBL team, the Calgary Surge. (from the left) Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL Mike Morreale, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Calgary Surge co-owner Usman Tahir Jutt, Calgary Surge co-owner Jason Ribeiro, and Canadian Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan. (Logan Stein, CityNews photo)
The addition of the new CEBL team marks Calgary’s seventh professional sports team, joining the recently added American Hockey League Wranglers.
A rivalry is already brewing between the Surge and Calgary’s sports nemesis, Edmonton. The Stingers — Edmonton’s CEBL team — tweeted at the Surge with anticipation for the inevitable Battle of Alberta.
Soon @ED_Stingers https://t.co/vjQ3JtBooj
— CEBL Calgary (@CalgarySurge) October 14, 2022
Meanwhile, hometown hero Andrew Phung, of Kim’s Convenience fame, tweeted his excitement and support for the Surge.
DREAMS FULFILLED. BASKETBALL IS COMING TO CALGARY!
To my hometown of #YYC, the @CEBLeague pro basketball wave officially kicks off in the city on Oct 19th at 9:30am MST.
Mark your and follow @CEBLCalgary to see history unfold live from @WinSportCanada! pic.twitter.com/rb5orxWE6U
— Andrew Phung (@andrewphung) October 17, 2022
The Calgary Surge will begin playing in 2023.
