Moncton Miracles looking for new owner and new coach

The Moncton Miracles basketball team is facing many questions heading into its fourth season as it seeks a new owner and new coach.

Paul Riley, commissioner of the National Basketball League of Canada says the Miraclesdohowever have a new general manager.

He says Joe Salerno Sr. will be arriving in Moncton this week to chart a new course for the team.

"His first priorityis to do a diagnostic on the team and see where the team is right now in terms of sponsorship,in terms of their season ticket holders, in terms of their players that they have in camp and possibly players that they're going to have to bring in."

Riley says Salerno Sr. has been involved in the business ofbasketball for most of his life. His son, Joe Salerno Jr., is the coach of the NBL's Island Storm.

They will be staying inMoncton. They willhave to grab the ball players by the ankles and drag them out of town before the Miracles will be anywhere else.- Paul Riley, NBL commissioner

Riley says after he gets settled in Moncton, Salerno Sr. will turn his attention to finding a new owner for the franchise.

After three seasons, Kim Blanco has left the team and returned to her home in New Jersey.

"Now we're looking for someone who loves the sport of basketball but who loves Moncton as well, we don't think it'll be a tough sell," Riley said.

He says it would be ideal to have local business owners involved in the ownership of the team.

"It's easier for the community to come out and support someone they know or they've known for ten or fifteen years," said Riley.

Salerno Sr. will also have torecruita new head coach.

Riley says the most successful teams in the league have been able to keep their coaches for several years, something Moncton has not been able to do.

"The NBL has been somewhat of a transient league andnot just in Moncton," Salerno Sr. says. "Players come and go and coaches come and go."

Riley says that does seem to be changing as the league builds its reputation.

"What we're seeing is that players and coaches who've had opportunities to go elsewhere are now choosing to stay in the NBL."

Riley says fans shouldn't worry about the league moving the franchise from Moncton.

"They will be staying in Moncton," he said. "They willhave to grab the ball players by the ankles and drag them out of town before the Miracles will be anywhere else."

In 2013 the team made it to the playoffs for the first time.