Stingers look to create hoopla with sleek branding

Will it create a big buzz?

Canadian Elite Basketball League executives hope so.

Edmonton’s newest professional basketball team hasn’t hit the court yet, but the franchise has a team name, logo and head coach.

They’ll be known as the Edmonton Stingers, and the team’s first head coach in franchise history will be Greg Francis.

“When you look at the Stingers logo, there’s an ode to the colour scheme of the Eskimos with the gold and the blue of the Edmonton Oilers. There’s an E for Edmonton in the wing. It’s a hornet and it draws comparisons to the CF-18’s in Cold Lake,” said CEBL CEO Mike Morreale. “Every logo and team name has a story to tell, but you want something that can resonate with the younger demographic as well.

“We wanted to get away from the crests and make it more fun.”

The Stingers are one of six teams in the CEBL, which begins its inaugural season in May, 2019.

Edmonton joins the Niagara, Hamilton, Guelph, Abbotsford and Saskatoon. Four of the six teams have unveiled their name and logos, with Abbotsford and Saskatoon yet to come.

The Stingers new head coach has an extensive head coaching background. Francis has spent more than a decade with the Canadian national team in various coaching and administrative roles.

He also coached the University of Alberta Golden Bears for three seasons. Now he’s getting his first opportunity to coach at the professional level.

“To be able to get back and coach at the pro level for me is a dream come true,” said Francis, who is also part of the CEBL executive.

“I’ve spent a lot of time developing younger players, but I want to spend my time now working with pros.

“I love the development side, and I will work with the younger players anytime, but to be able to work with the guys to help them get to that next level. It’s amazing to be a part of it.”

The league will play under FIBA rules, featuring 10-minute quarters, while the 12-player rosters will feature Canadian requirements.