Group seeks investors for Montreal NBA team, even though no expansion is planned
MONTREAL — A group of Quebec businesspeople led by former federal cabinet minister and senator Michael Fortier is continuing its full-court press to bring a National Basketball Association franchise to Montreal — even though the league has no current plans for expansion.
Fortier said Wednesday he has spoken to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about Montreal’s basketball dream.
“Although the NBA and its commissioner have made it clear to us that they currently have no plans to expand the league, we have taken the decision to prepare for when expansion does take place, because we believe it will take place,” he told a news conference.
The group has been meeting with potential Canadian and foreign investors to arrange financing. It announced Wednesday that Stephan Cretier, the CEO of the security firm GardaWorld, has agreed to contribute up to 10 per cent of the value of the new team.