According to the Linkedin profile page of Susan Gordon - Deputy Commissioner she is no longer a part of Canada's National Basketball League of Canada - NBL Canada. Based on our knowledge there hasn't been an official press release by the league. But in age of Social Media where Facebook, Twitter and and LinkedIn status updates matter more than official press releases this should pretty much confirm it. According to LinkedIn, Susan has joined the CFL Players Association as VP of Marketing and will look to generate revenue through Marketing initiatives and licensing deals. Her post was official April 2013. The move is rather shocking especially since Gordon was instrumental in helping the league land its first major sponsorship deal with Rogers Media during her tenure there and before she decided to jump ship and take on the Deputy Commissioner roll for the start-up Canadian Basketball League. Gordon's leave, marks this second time in as many years that the league has been forced look for another commissioner John Kennedy also left after just one season.

Basketball fans in Mississauga can begin to feel the energy now that City Council and Power Basketball have joined forces to bring the National Basketball League of Canada to the City of Mississauga for the upcoming 2013-14 NBL Canada season. “We’re very pleased to welcome the National Basketball League of Canada to Mississauga,” said Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. “It’s a natural fit to now have the exciting sport of professional basketball here in our city. We’re looking forward to cheering on our own team at the Hershey Centre with this great addition to our dynamic sport community.” The Power franchise’s relocation from Oshawa to Mississauga was approved by the NBL Canada Board of Directors with great enthusiasm for the potential that the city holds. CEO and President, Andre Levingston anticipates that the NBL Canada will be warmly welcomed. “Mississauga is a city that we’ve always been excited about,” said Levingston. “With its unique diversity and commitment to bringing the very best to all that live there, we feel this team will be welcomed with open arms.”

“The second one is just as special as the first,” Frijia said. “It would have been special to win in front of our home fans. But a win is a win and a championship is a championship. I can’t believe how my guys came back.” Richardson had one more thing to say before he left for the dressing room. “Both the first two were equally special,” he said. “No. 3 is going to be even better.

The Summerside Storm is right back in the National Basketball League of Canada championship series. The Storm, facing a must-win situation, defeated the London Lightning 111-99 to force a Game 4 in the best-of-five set at Eastlink Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. The Lightning leads the series 2-1, and will be looking to win back-to-back titles while the Storm will be aiming to send the series back to London, Ont., for a deciding game next week.

Micheal Ray Richardson said to doubters before this series, not to disrespect the heart of a champion. Maybe they should have listened. The heart of a champion has come within one game of a second National Basketball League of Canada championship. On the first weekend of the NBL championship final, the London Lightning played like champions. It wasn’t easy. It was heart-stopping. It was in doubt until the end. The up-and-coming Summerside Storm pounded away at the Lightning, coming back from yet another big deficit Sunday with the defending champion responding. The Lightning defeated the Storm 99-96 Sunday in front of 3,406 fans to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five championship. Summerside’s Brandon Robinson missed a three-pointer to tie at the buzzer. The Lightning have been here before. Last year they headed to Halifax with a 2-0 lead against the Rainmen but had to come home to win a fifth game thriller. The Lightning only have three players, Rod Buford, Tim Ellis and DeAnthony Bowden, who were on that team but whatever that team had seems to be catching. “The heart of a champion starts at the top,” Richardson said. “I have the heart of a champion. Losing to me is personal. The heart of a champion goes through all the players because it does start at the top.” It was the second consecutive thriller in this series. The Lightning won the opener 100-95 on Saturday.

Champions do not give up their crowns without a fight. The London Lightning began defence of their National Basketball League of Canada fiefdom fighting for it for all they were worth. The Summerside Storm came to the Gardens for the first battle in what looks to be a war. Despite some heartstopping moments the Lightning managed to win their best-of-five final opener 105-100.

The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to name the All Stars that will participate in the 2013 NBL Canada All Star Weekend, presented by LiUNA, on April 13-14 in Saint John, N.B. Atlantic Conference All Stars: The starters for the Atlantic Division All Star Team, as selected by the coaches, are: Jerice Crouch 6'0 PG Saint John Mill Rats Joey Haywood 6'1 G Halifax Rainmen (Canadian) Brandon Robinson 6'6 G-F Summerside Storm Isaac Butts 6'11 C Moncton Miracles Devin Sweetney 6'6 G-F Moncton Miracles *Kenny Jones of the Saint John Mill Rats was nominated but is unable to participate due to an overseas commitment. *Antonio Ballard of the Summerside Storm was nominated but is currently on the injured reserve list. The reserves for the Atlantic Division All Star Team, as selected by the fans, are: Al Stewart 5'11 PG Summerside Storm Kamar Burke 6'5 G-F Moncton Miracles (Canadian) Chris Cayole 6'7 F Summerside Storm (Canadian) Omari Johnson 6'9 F Summerside Storm Steve Deluca 6'7 F Saint John Mill Rats Central Division Conference All Stars: The starters for the Central Division All Star Team, as selected by the coaches, are: Darren Duncan 5'11 PG Windsor Express Nick Okorie 6'1 G Oshawa Power Tim Ellis 6'5 F London Lightning Marvin Philips 6'8 F London Lightning Elvin Mims 6'6 F London Lightning The reserves for the Central Division All Star Team, as selected by the fans, are: Antwi Atuahene 6'3 PG London Lightning (Canadian) Papa Oppong 6'4 G Oshawa Power (Canadian) J.R. Harrison 6'7 F Montreal Jazz Greg Surmacz 6'8 F Windsor Express (Canadian) Chris Common 6'8 F Windsor Express

This week we chat with Susan Gordon, Deputy Commissioner of NBL Canada. SBC: By building working partnerships with Basketball Canada and CIS, is the goal to continually grow the number of Canadian players on each team? Or will the focus be for each team to field the best possible team regardless of a player’s passport? SG: Yes, the goal is to increase the number of Canadian players on each team while still ensuring that we maintain the quality of the product on the court. The number of mandatory Canadian players on each team’s roster was increased from 2 to 3 for the League’s 2nd season and we will continue to evaluate that number each year.

And Toronto might have the Raptors but Brampton’s got.... the A’s? Or at least they will have if they can iron out a few details. The Brampton A’s have been accepted as one of two new members in the National Basketball League of Canada, a minor pro hoops league that features teams from Halifax, Montreal, Saint John, Moncton, Summerside, Oshawa, London, Windsor and their expansion cousins in Ottawa. The new Brampton entry will be known as the A’s and will don a red and black jersey in their inaugural season. According to David Magley, who will act as the team’s general manager and head coach, NBL Canada has rubber stamped the Brampton franchise to begin play this fall bringing the total number of teams to 10 for the 2013-2014 season. They still need to finalize a lease agreement with the Powerade Centre, which according to Magley is almost complete. “We did our due diligence and feel the demographics in Brampton is perfect for basketball,” said Magley. “We don’t have to educate the public.” “They’re not there yet, but I’m excited about it,” said NBL Canada president Andre Levingston. “There’s some things that need to be done to finalize the deal but everyone wants it to happen.” Levingston feels the market and ownership are a perfect fit for the community. “It’s a great market for pro basketball,” added Levingston. “And we have an ownership group that can sustain it.” Magley, 53, is no stranger to the basketball court. He will run the operations for team owner James Tipping. Tipping currently owns ACTS Athletic Institute in Orangeville. Magley was a second round selection of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1982, but spent just one season in the NBA scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 14 games.

Here is a nice video interview with Gus Takkale the owner of the Ottawa NBL Canada Franchise who will be revealing their new logo and name after deciding to go change their original name "Ottawa Tomahawks" after huge public outcry.