Achi news desk-
Alberta TV star and entrepreneur Manjit Minhas is the first ever female owner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Minhas and her brother Ravinder Minhas have joined the ownership group of the Edmonton Stingers and the CEBL.
“We were in town here in Edmonton last summer with our families – I have two daughters and Ravinder has two daughters – and we came to a game,” Manjit said. “We loved the atmosphere, we loved the elite level of basketball play, we loved that it was family friendly, and we left the game energized for basketball in this province.
“As we were on the way home, we thought: ‘Well, how do we get involved?’ The owners are friends of ours, so we had a chat with them.”
The pair join Taranvir (Tank) Vander and James Burns of Stingers Entertainment Group as managing partners of the Stingers and investors in the CEBL.
“They bring a rich history of success in Alberta business, and their investment in our team and league speaks to their dedication to the continued growth of basketball,” said Vander.
Ravinder and Manjit are the co-founders of Minhas Breweries & Distilleries – creators of Boxer Lager and Mountain Crest. They acquired the second oldest brewery in the United States and opened Minhas Micro Brewery in their hometown of Calgary.
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Stingers Entertainment Group announced Wednesday that Ravinder Minhas and Manjit Minhas have become partners of the CEBL and the Edmonton Stingers.
Courtesy/Dutch Hollow Photography
“From supporting the Raptors courtside to sponsoring the Milwaukee Bucks, anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid basketball fan,” Ravinder said.
“We didn’t know what to expect when we went to the Stingers game and we were blown away.”
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There are currently 10 CEBL teams across Canada. The ownership group hopes to expand the league, recruit more Canadian players and promote it widely.
The siblings say they are also excited to get more involved in the community.
“For us, it’s about diversity of ownership and it’s about having something that young guys and girls can look for, elite, right in their backyard,” Manjit said. “To be able to be fans of but also participate in it.”
He said that representation is important and it is important that young people see themselves reflected on boards and teams.
“To be inspired to sit in those chairs, be part of different ownership groups, have a seat at the table, but also do things that make them happy and make a difference,” says Manjit.
“I have two young daughters and for me, it is important to always say: there is no glass ceiling. If you’re passionate about something, you can get involved, you can have your say, and you can have fun along the way.”
As for what Stingers fans can expect from the coming years?
“A lot of fun… a championship,” Ravinder said. “Of course, the offerings of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be improved,” he added with a smile.
The Stingers open their 2024 season on Tuesday, May 21. The game against the Calgary Surge will be televised nationally from the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stingers will host their first home game on Sunday, June 2 against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
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