The Montréal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have announced that Joel Anthony, two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat, has become an owner of his hometown professional basketball team, joining Léo Bouisson, co-founder of Weeve, and pharmacy owner Ian-Philip Paul-Hus. Anthony, who has served as the team’s General Manager since 2021, leads the new local ownership group.
Anthony’s remarkable journey from Montreal’s basketball courts to NBA champion and now team owner represents a unique path in professional sports. During his 10-year NBA career, including seven seasons with the Miami Heat (2007-2014), Anthony appeared in 490 regular season games and was a key member of Miami’s back-to-back championship teams in 2012 and 2013.
Returning to Montreal as General Manager in 2021 was already a special moment, but becoming an owner of the team means even more to me,” said Anthony. “My journey, from Montreal gyms to the NBA, has shown me how critical it is to have a solid foundation to grow basketball. Today, with this ownership group deeply committed to the city and the sport, we have an opportunity to build something lasting for Montreal.”
- Anthony’s transition from player to executive, and now owner, showcases his continued commitment to basketball development. After his playing career Anthony returned to his hometown in 2021 to lead basketball operations for the Montréal Alliance.
Our city has always had an impressive talent pool,” Anthony noted. “With the Alliance, we not only aim to provide high-level entertainment but also create an environment where young talent can aspire to play professionally right here in Montreal.
The Montréal Alliance, which plays its home games at the historic Verdun Auditorium, will begin its fourth season in May 2025. Under Anthony’s leadership as General Manager, the team has established itself as a cornerstone of Montreal’s growing basketball community.
