Basketball Deal Approved for Mile One Centre

Monday, September 18, 2017 - 4:45 PM

Today, during City Council meeting, Council approved the terms of agreement for the operation of a professional basketball team at Mile One Centre for the 2017-18 season. The Board of Directors for St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Limited (SJSEL) have unanimously approved terms of the deal.
 
“On behalf of City Council we are thrilled that the St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Board of Directors have been able to secure a deal to bring professional basketball to St. John’s starting this fall,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “This is a new sporting event for our City which will see positive economic spin offs for area restaurants, bars, taxis, and other businesses.”

The deal is not expected to result in any increase in the subsidy currently provided to Mile One Centre and the St. John’s Convention Centre; in fact, it has the potential to be more lucrative than previous agreements, provided the franchise is successful in terms of corporate and public support. 

“SJSEL has been working diligently for several months to secure this deal with the National Basketball League,” said Sheena McCrate, CEO, St. John’s Sports and Entertainment. “The deal guarantees 20 regular season game nights at Mile One with the potential for another 10 playoff games.”

St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the City of St. John’s responsible for the operations of the Mile One Centre and the St. John’s Convention Centre. 

Ticket sales and prices will be announced by the team ownership group in the near future.

Media Contacts:
Sheena McCrate, CEO
St. John’s Sports & Entertainment
709-758-5476
smccrate@mileonecentre.com
 
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca