Diamond Sports Canada Inc. (subsidiary of GSF) Finalizes Acquisition Of The Ottawa BlackJacks

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League have been acquired by Diamond Sports Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Global Sports Fund Management Group. The group is owned by Bandeli (Lee) Hagipantelis and Justin Pascoe, who brings over 20 years of executive experience in sports administration and also owns the Newcastle Jets soccer club in Australia. This marks a historic milestone as Diamond Sports becomes the first privately funded group with an ownership stake in the BlackJacks and the first international owners in CEBL history.

Pascoe expressed excitement about the acquisition, describing the BlackJacks and CEBL as "a sleeping giant in the Canadian sports landscape." The new ownership aims to create a basketball franchise focused on authentic stakeholder engagement while elevating the organization to new heights. Their vision extends beyond the team itself, with plans to collaborate with the league to increase awareness, enhance fan experiences, and establish a sustainable model for professional basketball in Canada.

CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale welcomed the change, noting that "Justin Pascoe and the Diamond Sports Canada Inc. group bring valuable international perspective and a wealth of sports business experience."

The transition of team operations begins immediately, with the seventh season of Ottawa BlackJacks basketball scheduled to start in May 2026 at The Arena at TD Place.

Read more via BlackJacks - https://www.theblackjacks.ca/diamond-sports-canada-inc-finalizes-acquisition-of-the-ottawa-blackjacks