The KW Titans are hoping to take their shot at Canada’s top professional basketball league — but first, they need to raise millions of dollars. The Waterloo Region team is seeking between $3 million and $4 million as it works to secure a bid to join the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) for the 2027 season. The Titans previously played in the Basketball Super League, but have paused their participation as they pursue a spot in the CEBL. KW Titans CEO David Schooley said operating a team in the CEBL would cost roughly three times what the Titans were accustomed to spending in their previous league. “That’s what we’re looking for now — we’re looking for those strategic investors,” he said. The team pitched the opportunity to prospective investors, as well as longtime season-ticket holders at an insider briefing at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium — home of the KW Titans. Schooley said the Titans are looking for multiple investors who see an opportunity to support both the basketball team and the broader community. “Many sports teams, even in the CEBL, have multiple owners,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for — other like-minded people that might be interested in investing in the team but also in the community.” Fans backing the bid The potential move is already generating excitement among Titans supporters. “It will bring a higher calibre of basketball to this town and Kitchener-Waterloo is a basketball town,” Titans fan David Norster said. Others said joining the CEBL could help attract bigger crowds and provide a more competitive product. “People love local teams, support local teams,” fan Steve Fay-Cosman said. “The Titans have been growing over the years. They’ve got a lot of excitement behind them.” The CEBL currently has 10 teams across six provinces. A successful bid would make the Titans the league’s 11th team. CEBL games are played during the summer, from May through August, which would also give the Titans a different schedule from the Kitchener Rangers, who share the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Titans face tight timeline The team is hoping to have everything in place in the coming weeks as it works toward the 2027 season. “We’re hoping we’re lucky to get the bid, join the CEBL and then start building our roster and our game day experience and everything,” Titans general manager Shanif Hirani said. Schooley said the next two months will be vital in securing stakeholders and making the team’s official bid. “Getting the right group together is critical,” he said. “The next 30 to 60 days is our timeline to get ready for the 2027 season.” The Titans are also hoping the community will get behind the effort, with the team encouraging potential investors in Kitchener-Waterloo to consider joining the ownership group. For now, however, the bid is not guaranteed. The Titans will need to secure the necessary investment and complete the league’s bidding process before they can officially take the court as a CEBL franchise.
