After unexpected run to league final, future plans for Express still not clear
Article content
LONDON For more than a decade, president and CEO Dartis Willis has been a fixture on the sidelines at Windsor Express games.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Once again on Friday, Willis was again roaming the sidelines at Budweiser Gardens and shaking hands and thanking fans that made the trip from Windsor to see the team’s final game in the NBL of Canada.
Article content
An unexpected ride to the final came up short in a 126-88 loss to the London Lightning on Friday in the fifth and deciding game in the best-of-five series.
“To be able to have the last game against London, our rival, and the final game of the NBL of Canada was something special,” Express head coach Bill Jones said. “I wish we could have put on a better show. I wish we could have been the one celebrating.”
London got the title and will now join Kitchener-Waterloo, Sudbury and St. John’s in moving to the new Basketball Super League, Willis remains quiet on the future of the Express.
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
“I have to meet with my partners,” Willis said. “We’ll go from there and decide what we’re going to do next. We don’t know, we honestly don’t know.”
The new Basketball Super League will feature teams from the NBL of Canada along with American teams from The Basketball League. NBL of Canada commissioner Audley Stephenson said Windsor would be a welcome addition.
“Absolutely, when you look at the location of Windsor and the proximity and how you connect to other areas,” Stephenson said. “We’re having teams, say in the Detroit area for example, it’s a no-brainer. Windsor is a perfect community.”
While trying to connect with fans on a personal level at games, Willis believes that Windsor is indeed a basketball community.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“The people in Windsor fell in love,” Willis said. “So, whether it’s me or somebody else in basketball in Windsor, we’ve opened up a market differently than anybody. Windsor has a future for basketball.”
Stephenson said the new Basketball Super League is looking at up to 12 teams for its first season with as many as seven in Canada with the hopes of announcing a league schedule by Aug. 1 and play set to begin on Boxing Day in December.
“There’s a commitment to have a schedule in place by Aug. 1st that will allow teams three months or so in advance of the Boxing Day start,” Stephenson said. “You want enough time to get your sponsors and sell tickets.
“The Windsor Express, with the work they’ve done over the last 10 years, it makes sense to continue the work and elevate the franchise in this new league. Again, whether it’s them or not, I can’t comment because we’re not there.”
Advertisement 5
Article content
Aside from the Basketball Super League, Willis also made mention the 10-team Canadian Elite Basketball League, which is a summer league and began its fifth season last week.
“The league, both leagues, have some inherent challenges,” Willis said. “I’d just like to weigh my options, look at the details, see who’s doing what and go from there.”
The Lightning, with six titles, and Express, with two, combined for eight of the NBL of Canada’s 10 championship titles and London point guard Jeremiah Mordi admits it would be weird to see the Windsor-London rivalry come to an end.
“It would be because that’s our biggest rival,” Mordi said. “We play them 12 or 15 times a year and it would be weird.”
Stephenson believes Willis has a plan for the future, but he’s clearly not ready to make it public.
“I’m not assuming there isn’t a plan in place, it’s just not being shared at this present time,” Stephenson said.
And for now, Willis has no intention of rushing into making an announcement.
“I’m not putting a time on it,” Willis said. “We have to sit down.”
jpparker@postmedia.com
twitter.com/winstarparker
Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care for a wager? Head to our sports betting section for news and odds.
