Jones, Harris first two Lightning signings; New ticketing — at ‘new’ arena

Around the Perimeter: Lightning re-sign Chris Jones, add guard Omega Harris, formerly of the Newfoundland Rogues; What’s in store for Year 2 of BSL?; Three-ish new teams, more games. Columnist Jason Winders has the latest …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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STARTING FIVE

Off and signing | It’s hard to imagine any other name leading off the team-building project in London.

Last week, the Lightning announced the re-signing of Playoff MVP Chris Jones for the upcoming season. Jones, who played a key role in leading the Lightning to their third consecutive championship, is returning to London with expectations for another title run.

“We are beyond excited to have Chris back in a Lightning uniform,” Lightning GM Mark Frijia said. “His impact on and off the court is undeniable and having him lead the charge again this season sets the tone for our championship ambitions.”

Jones is known as much for his leadership and consistent performances as he is for his fiery temper and intensity. He offers a veteran presence for first-year Lightning head coach Jerry Williams. This will be Jones’ first season in London without former head coach Doug Plumb on the bench.

Last year, London traded guard Shadell Millinghaus to the Windsor Express in exchange for Jones in February. At the time, the move was largely unpopular with fans who had a growing connection with the personable and talented Millinghaus (on an otherwise drab, even surly team). But the franchise’s gamble was rewarded, as Jones led the team to the inaugural Basketball Super League (BSL) title.

“I’m excited to be back. London is like home to me,” Jones said. “The energy in this city and the support from the fans is something special. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got and bring another championship to London.”

Expansion and contraction | The Jamestown (N.Y.) Jackals will join the BSL as the third franchise from The Basketball League (TBL) to make the jump, BSL officials announced.

“This is a significant opportunity for continued growth from our semi-pro roots to a great pro league in TBL to the very highest level (shy of the NBA & NBA G League) in North America,” said Kayla Crosby, team market owner and general manager. “The vision has been to teach young men how much potential they have and how impacting they can be when they go out and serve others in our community.”

London fans have seen the Jackals only once. The Lightning defeated Jamestown 98-85 in their lone matchup on March 25, 2023, at the Arena Formerly Known as Budweiser Gardens (now, Canada Life Place).

BSL officials were impressed with the team’s consistent fan and community engagement – a leaguewide emphasis this season.

“As we expand both leagues with a hope for creating the best possible experiences for our athletes and communities, we look for experienced operators first as options to fill spots in BSL,” said Evelyn Magley, CEO of BSL/TBL. “Kayla and her group impressed us with their incredible presence with youth, and that commitment will play well at any level.”

With the addition of the Pontiac Pharaohs and Glass City Wranglers, Jamestown brings the league total to nine teams for the 2024-25 season. Well, sort of …

Omega Harris (#2), a Newfoundland Rogues player last year, has signed with the London Lightning for the 2024-25 season. (Photo: Barry Field Photography).

Shattered Glass | Last month, the Glass City Wranglers were set to join the BSL as part of the league’s expansion. Since then, however, the franchise has backed away – if only slightly.

Fans will see the Wranglers as part of BSL schedules, but the team’s record will not count toward a league championship or playoff appearance.

Currently, Glass City will play 8 to 10 games against BSL teams on the road, plus 2 to 3 games at home, while the remainder of the team’s schedule will be filled with TBL opponents. David Magley, BSL President, said the change will allow the franchise to transition fully into the BSL next season.

“This is a year of transition, and if the model works, it will allow us to add a team in every year like this. That’s not uncommon. It’s a bit like how the NCAA moves teams up from DII to DI. You move up; you fill holes in the schedule; but you’re not eligible for conference titles or the tournament right away. What it does do, however, is let franchises enter on secure footing while helping the league grow.”

He continued, “As we’re growing and expanding as a league, flexible schedules are important. You need to build business models that are profitable, first and foremost, especially in those first few years. These are things we need to accept as part of the growth. Canada is full of leagues that have not made money. That’s not what our goal is. We want a league that’s around for a long time.”

Founded as Toledo Glass City BC in 2020, the Wranglers played a single season in the Premier Basketball League (PBL), followed by two seasons in the TBL, before making this latest move. The Lightning are 1-0 all-time against the Wranglers, winning 127-95 on March 10, 2024 in the lone matchup in London.

In 24 games last season, Chris Jones averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

That’s the ticket | Ticketmaster, the controversial American live entertainment conglomerate, was chosen as Budweiser Gardens’ primary ticket provider as of July 1, moving the venue away from its previous provider, Paciolan. I know, that sucks in so many ways.

For music fans visiting the Bud, it probably means getting totally screwed on ticket prices and fees. But for Lightning fans, the impact will be less dramatic. The biggest change is that fans will no longer be issued paper tickets for Lightning games. All tickets will be delivered via the Ticketmaster app.

Rest assured, less-than-tech-savvy folks, you won’t miss a minute of play.

“It’s an awesome system, but it will take some getting used to for fans,” said Danielle Renaud, Lightning VP Marketing & Sales. “We’ll be there to help them with the new system.”

Also … did I also mention Budweiser Gardens is also going cashless for all concessions and merch?

What’s in a name | It’s official! the Budweiser Gardens neé John Labatt Centre is getting remarried again and changed its name to Canada Life Place as of Oct. 11. Yes, it’s a bland name. Then again, most corporate names are bland.

Congrats to all, but what is yet to be settled is the short form of the name. We had ‘JLC’ which had a nice ring to it. Then, we had ‘The Bud’ which popped nicely, too (plus, was amazingly short and fit headlines and social posts nicely). What say you, Canada Life Place?

LIGHTNING NOTES

• Lots of cool changes coming to the Lightning gameday experience. Here’s a fun one: The Shoot-To-Win competition will see a major shift this season, with Land Rover / Jaguar London stepping in as the event sponsor. In past years, the grand prize was Lightning season tickets, but this season’s competition raises the stakes. One fan who makes it through to the finals at season’s end will have 25 seconds to make a layup, free throw, three-pointer, and half-court shot that, if successful, will see them drive off in a new Land Rover. Check the vehicle out at centre court every home game.

• The Lightning signed Omega Harris, a 6-foot-2 point guard out of Bethany, Okla. The UTEP alumnus is the first member of the Newfoundland Rogues to join his former head coach, Jerry Williams, in the Forrest City. Last season, Harris averaged 12.7 PPG, alongside 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists, in 37 games. He finished among the league’s Top 10 in points (9th), steals (3rd), assists (3rd), offensive rebounds (7th), and field goals (9th).

• Right now, BSL All-Star Weekend is a no-go. Despite numerous advantages for franchises, players and fans, the move to a fall regular season tipoff created a few challenges, namely a packed calendar making it difficult to find a day and location for an all-star game. In fact, there are no open weekends available during the regular season – with only a single Friday available for a showcase game. BSL officials and owners meet Oct. 18 to consider the calendar further.

BEYOND MY BYLINE

Pete Rose was one of my fave players as a kid – a guy I imitated by sliding head-first into couch cushions I threw onto my parents’ orange shag living room carpet. So many burned out knees in jeans and heels in socks because of that. You’ve probably read a lot about Pete after his passing last week, but let me draw your attention to an oft-forgotten Canadian connection. If you’re really interested, you can check out an article I did back in my PhD days for an incredible (and super nerdy) baseball journal. Read Ahab in the Batter’s Box: Pete Rose, the Montreal Expos, and a 4,000th Hit Nobody Cared to Remember.