Leagues NBL Canada Team colours Green, Navy Blue, Grey Location St. Catharines, Canada Head coach Keith Vassell | Arena Capacity 4,030 President Jeffrey Sotiriou Date founded 2015 | |
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History Niagara River Lions(2015–present) Ownership Richard Petko, Michael Skrtich, Jeffrey Sotiriou | ||
The Niagara River Lions are a Canadian professional basketball team based in St. Catharines, Ontario, that competes in the National Basketball League of Canada. They made their debut in the 2015–16 NBL season in the Central Division. The River Lions play their home games at the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
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History
In February 2014, the Niagara Basketball Group started the application process to get a local team. Over a year later, the NBL Canada announced that they would hold a press conference on the morning of April 8, 2015, regarding the expansion team. The group also held an online contest in which fans had the opportunity to make suggestions as to what the team's nickname should be. On May 14, 2015, the NBL held a Board of Governors' meeting, in which it was approved and confirmed that Niagara would compete in the 2015–16 season. At a press conference on May 28, 2015, it was announced that the team would be called the "Niagara River Lions," a nickname inspired by the Niagara Region's coat of arms, which depicts the same animal. Ken Murray, a successful Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) coach, came out of retirement to claim the head coaching and general manager (GM) position. However, during their inaugural season, Murray was fired from the team on February 20, 2016, and was replaced by assistant coach Grâce Lokole. Lokole would step down from the head coach position during the next season on March 11, 2017. He was replaced by local Niagara College head coach Keith Vassell on an interim basis while Lokole stayed on as an assistant.
Mascot
For their first season, the River Lions announced that their mascot would be Dunkin the River Lion. Dunkin performs during every River Lions home game and attends events throughout the Niagara Region.
Niagara Lady Lions
The Niagara Lady Lions are the official Dance Team and Promo Team for the Niagara River Lions. They act as ambassadors for the team with fans and in the community. Both teams perform during River Lions home games and attend events throughout the Niagara Region.