Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) Player Salary: Player Salaries, Team Salary Cap (Interview with ECBL Sources, 2022)
ECBL PLAYER SALARY
Overseas basketball players competing in the Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) can expect to make approximately $2,300 - $3,700 CAD/per month ($1,800 - $2,900 USD) on average.
The league minimum is $1,500 CAD/per month (approx. $1,180 USD). There is no MAX limit on how much a player can earn in this league.
That means the inaugural 2022 ECBL season will help determine how much a team will be willing to spend on a player, helping us determine the MAX.
Based on our overseas basketball survey that looked at 100+ leagues worldwide, ECBL salaries would sit nearly identical to the NBLC – one of Canada’s other top professional basketball leagues.
ECBL players on the minimum salary range wouldn’t be earning as much as CEBL players however (Canada’s other top pro league).
The Eastern Canadian Basketball League is a new professional basketball league for overseas players beginning in 2022.
ECBL Basketball Salary
ECBL officials have projected its team salary cap to be between $25,000 - $40,000CAD/per month ($19,600 - $31,000 USD) with no MAX player salary in place as a result.
Higher-end players should expect somewhere between $4,300 - $5,000CAD/per month ($3,360 - $3,900 USD) however.
With the Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) set to tip off in March 2023, much of the league’s financial info will come to light in the coming months/year.
I will be updating this page regularly as more information is revealed.
Check back in here or on the worldwide salaries database page.
The Eastern Canadian Basketball League’s official social media account revealed players must earn a minimum of $1,500CAD/per month with no MAX limit being set on players.
But for the time being:
Here’s what we do know so far:
|
Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL): Basic Facts |
|
|
Number of Teams |
6 |
|
Season length |
3 – 3.5 months |
|
Season time period |
Mid March – Late June |
|
Roster restrictions |
Yes (6 imports + 6 Canadians) |
|
Roster requirements |
Two college players from Maritimes or who were born in Maritimes |
|
League President |
Tim Kendrick |
ECBL Canada Teams
Per Canadian news outlet The SaltWire, the Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) was originally slated to have four teams. But the league expanded its vision to include 6 in its inaugural season.
The 6 ECBL teams currently competing are:
Bathurst Bears
Charlottetown Power
Annapolis Valley Vipers
Summerside Storm
Saint John Union
Truro Tide
12.25.21#ecbl #biggerthanbasketball #enhancethegame #Christmas pic.twitter.com/HDhIOLZoD9
— Eastern Canadian Basketball League (@ecbl_ca) December 24, 2021
As the name of the league suggests, all of the teams are located in Eastern Canada - also known as the Maritimes.
League President Tim Kendrick has publicly assured players travel time will be minimal as a result.
All the teams will be located close to one another.
Considering how huge Canada is geographically, that is a big bonus.
Regardless:
As I’ve mentioned in other articles before, players should always stay proactive to reduce the wear and tear of a pro season by having multiple recovery tools ready.
canadian basketball league tryouts
Canada’s professional basketball leagues (i.e. CEBL, NBLC) currently do not offer any tryouts for prospective overseas basketball players.
But the newly formed Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) is changing that by offering both international (US) and local (CAN) tryouts.
ECBL basketball tryouts
The Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) currently offers two basketball tryouts for overseas players. Foreigners (Americans) can try their luck in New York City.
Canadians have a combine tryout in Truro, Nova Scotia.
ECBL officials tell me - via online and in-person tryouts - 400 player applications have been received so far!
Considering that:
It’s important to know what you’re up against and how many roster spots will be up for grabs.
Here’s how ECBL rosters will look:
12 roster spots total
6 international (import) roster spots per squad
6 Canadian (national) roster spots per squad
2 Canadian players must have ties to Maritimes
Born in the Maritimes
Canadian and played college basketball in the Maritimes
As of right now the ECBL is not a FIBA-certified league.
That is a big deal.
Consider Canada’s top pro league - the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is FIBA-certified.
That designation allows the CEBL to compete in high-profile international tournaments such as the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA).
The BCLA is an annual event that pits the top clubs in the Americas against one another.
It’s an absolute goldmine for players looking to get scouted to a higher league.
With that being said:
The ECBL says it will not rule out this possibility in the future as it becomes more established.
So if the ECBL does indeed follow this route, it could have a big pay off for players fortunate enough to compete in it one day.
Want to showcase your talents at one of the most iconic training facilities in the world? Here’s your chance. Sign up today as spots are limited.https://t.co/wEH4MlHA6P#NYC #basketball #tryouts #sky #ecbl #forthemaritimes #enhancethegame pic.twitter.com/A1rSJ0ZDWn
— Eastern Canadian Basketball League (@ecbl_ca) December 17, 2021
Canadian basketball league salaries comparison: chart (cebl, nblc, ecbl)
|
League |
Minimum player salary |
|
CEBL |
$500/per game |
|
NBLC |
$1,600/per mth |
|
ECBL |
$1,500/per mth |
|
League |
MAX player salary |
|
CEBL |
$1,500/per game |
|
NBLC |
$12,000/per mth |
|
ECBL |
TBD |
|
League |
Team salary cap |
|
NBLC |
$180,000/per season |
|
CEBL |
$8,000/per game |
|
ECBL |
$25,000 - $40,000/per month |
*Please note the CEBL pays on a per-game basis making for an imperfect comparison when it comes to the three leagues. Nonetheless this gives us a general idea.
Canada currently has two established professional basketball leagues:
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
The National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC)
Speaking frankly:
Both must be considered ahead of the ECBL at this point.
The CEBL for its excellent product.
The NBLC for its longevity.
I’ve covered both of these leagues in-depth in prior articles and videos so I won’t get too deep into my reasoning as to why.
The Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL) will be competing against the NBLC and the CEBL in Canadian pro basketball.
But just know the CEBL is by far the best running product at the moment in Canadian pro hoops.
From its:
Marketing
Sponsorships
Competition
Organization
…and much more.
The NBLC, on the other hand, is celebrating its 10th season of operations in 2022.
That’s a decent amount of time that must be respected.
Although it appears the league may be hanging on by a thread at this point.
There are only four teams remaining.
Nonetheless:
These are the tournaments the ECBL will be going up against.
And there will be some overlay when it comes to scheduling and competing for players.
So (Canadian) hoopers will have to choose between which leagues they want to play in to start each season.
when is the overseas basketball season in canada: comparison chart (CEBL - NBLC - ECBL)
|
League |
Start Date – End Date |
Approx. Length |
|
CEBL |
June - August |
3 – 3.5 months |
|
NBLC* |
Late Dec. - April |
5 – 6 months |
|
ECBL |
Mid March – Late June |
3 – 3.5 months |
*NBLC is having a shortened 2022 season from just Feb. – April.
Luckily for the ECBL they’ve already attracted an interesting official partner in Adidas.
It’s unclear how exactly their partnership will work exactly but perhaps this could be used to:
Lure players
Improve the league’s professionalism
Improve marketing campaigns
@adidas x @ecbl_ca
— Eastern Canadian Basketball League (@ecbl_ca) December 25, 2021
After announcing 6 great teams in 6 amazing communities throughout the Maritimes, we are very proud and excited to announce Adidas as an official partner of the Eastern Canadian Basketball League!#impossibleisnothing #enhancethegame pic.twitter.com/zIgt5mwgWr
One fascinating way the ECBL may be able to attract players will be through their contract structures.
I’m told the league will be implementing what is known as a “No Cut Contract” policy.
This means players are essentially safe-guarded against being cut prematurely into their contracts.
Usually overseas clubs may give 1-3 games for players to show them “what they got.”
After that you could be sent home if you’re underperforming.
But not in the ECBL.
There’s only a few ways a player can be sent home in this league:
Professional misconduct
Poor behaviour/attitude
Season-ending injury
…etc.
This will incentivize teams to choose wisely and work with their athletes to improve.
Beyond that:
It appears the ECBL will have a heavy influence from the NBLC.
Consider the ECBL’s front office:
League President - Tim Kendrick (former coach/GM NBLC Island Storm)
Senior Marketing Manager - Robbie Robinson (former NBLC player)
Community Coordinator - Loonie States (former Island Storm coach)
Kendrick went on record to say the ECBL’s competition level should be on par with the NBLC.
Time will tell how exactly the leagues will differentiate from one another and ultimately thrive.
But given the ECBL front office team has plenty of members with first-hand experience, the league should be in good hands.
One would think they would will learn from the mistakes made in the NBLC and not duplicate them with the ECBL.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it.
A quick summary of what we know so far about the Eastern Canadian Basketball League (ECBL).
More info will follow in the year so I’ll be sure to update it as needed.
As one of Canada’s three professional basketball leagues, the ECBL will be competing against some more established brands.
Ultimately though:
If they are able to provide a competitive basketball salary and a shorter season, it should be able to attract some decent players.
Are you interested in playing in the ECBL?
Comment below with any questions!
Jose Colorado is a 6-year professional basketball player helping others achieve their dreams of pro basketball with a proven and tested approach to overseas basketball.
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