Pro basketball returns to Moncton — again. Fourth attempt in 14 years
Men's professional basketball is returning to Moncton.
The Tri-City Tide, which will represent Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview, is the fourth attempt at pro ball in the area since 2011.
The Tri-City Tide is part of The Basketball League, which is mostly made up of U.S.-based teams. The only other Canadian teams are Halifax and Vancouver.
Saint John was expected to also join the league, but in a social media post on Jan. 27, Port City Power owner Jamie Dobbelsteyn said the team would not be participating in the upcoming season as planned.
"Despite our best efforts, we faced financial challenges and unmet business expectations that have led us to make this difficult decision."
They plan to explore "new opportunities to bring basketball back to Saint John in a stronger and more sustainable way," Dobbelsteyn wrote.
Community support encouraging
Tri-City Tide owner Dustin Caissie said this time will be different.
He said the league's franchise fees and rules aren't as onerous as with leagues in the past. Plus, a smaller venue, Crandall University, helps keep the costs down.
And so far, community support has been encouraging.
"I know we've only had a preseason game, an inner-squad game, but a lot of people are appreciative of what they're seeing," said Caissie.
He said he was "delighted" with the attendance.
"I think it just showed that people are interested in seeing what's going on. There was a couple hundred people there, and then the preseason game, we were really impressed," said Caissie.
"There was, I think, 250 to 300 people who showed up to that game and they packed the gym, and you could feel it in the atmosphere that people are excited to be there and see basketball back."
Focus on local players
Cassie said he built the team with a focus on picking local players first, "and then kind of bring in pieces to help build around it."
He said the TBL is focused on "highlighting your local talent and trying to get your local talent out there."
Moncton's James French is one of those local players.
French was involved in the last attempt to get a pro team in Moncton. He played — albeit briefly — for the Moncton Motion in the inaugural season of the Eastern Canadian Basketball League, which came to an abrupt end in May 2023, with players, coaches, hotels and bus companies left unpaid.
French thinks it will be different this time with "the people behind the scene working really hard," and playing at a smaller venue than previous attempts.
"Playing at Crandall, kind of a smaller venue that we can really fill up and get the energy for the fans — makes it more enjoyable for them and for us."
And, said French, "having a more affordable canteen. All these things that really make it more for the community, I think is why this is going to be different this time around and be more successful."
French said there's a great group of players on the roster.
"I think everybody was pretty clear on the first day that everybody's on the same page and wants to win, but also have fun playing together and get to know each other."
He said the players have been focused on scoring as a team.
"When you're playing unselfish basketball, that's more fun basketball. When you're having fun, that's when you win games."
Still getting to know each other
French also said the players are getting to know each other off the court as well.
"Getting to know each other outside of the game of basketball, which I think is correlating to our on-court chemistry."
French said having local basketball heroes on the team is also part of the draw for fans — guys like Matt Robertson and Mark McLaughlin, who's from Halifax, but lives in Moncton, said French.
"I remember watching Matt when he was on the Miracles, so being able to play with him is pretty great," said French.
Two Maritime teams in division
Moncton joins Halifax as one of two Canadian teams in the 16-team eastern division, which means travel costs are "not as affordable as it has been in the past," said Caissie.
He said the calibre of basketball will be as high as other leagues that have come and gone, but the atmosphere with the smaller venue, "it's going to be a lot more personal."
He said the plan is to grow and eventually move to a larger venue, "but we're not going to make that jump until we feel we're ready."
French agrees.
"When we had the Moncton Motion, we were at the Avenir Centre and we had a thousand fans, but it felt like it was empty because it was so spread out. Whereas now, if we get 500 — yes, it's less fans, but it's going to be way louder, more enjoyable.
"And I think over time that's going to lead to the success of the team and organization."
Based on the growth of the sport at youth levels in the Moncton area, French is confident there's going to be a lot of support for the team.
The team is also connecting with those young teams and making appearances at their events.
"Like when we went to the Moncton Hawks' practice last week … and they had just as much fun as the kids, just being out there and shooting around, having fun," said French.
The first home game for the Tri-City tide is on March 15 against the Halifax Hoopers at Crandall University.
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