Winnipeg Sea Bears
Winnipeg's CEBL franchise, making waves since 2023.
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are a professional basketball team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a member of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Their home games are held at Canada Life Centre.
The CEBL added Winnipeg as its 10th franchise on November 9, 2022. Later that month, on November 30, the team revealed its name and logo—the Winnipeg Sea Bears—and confirmed Canada Life Centre as its home venue. Mike Taylor was named the team’s first head coach on December 14, 2022.
The Sea Bears played their first game on May 27, 2023, drawing 7,303 fans—nearly 3,000 more than the previous league attendance record—and beat the Vancouver Bandits 90–85. They finished their debut season at 12–8, second in the Western Conference, and hosted a playoff game that set another attendance mark with 10,580 spectators. Before the 2024 season, the CEBL announced Winnipeg would host the 2025 Championship Weekend. The Sea Bears’ second season began with a loss to the Saskatchewan Rattlers on May 22, 2024, and ended with a 9–11 record and a play-in round elimination by the Calgary Surge, 84–82.
In 2025, as Championship Weekend hosts, the Sea Bears earned an automatic semifinal berth, where they lost to Calgary, 90–79. Head coach and general manager Mike Taylor was dismissed after the defeat, and assistant coach Mike Raimbault replaced him on August 28, 2025.
- Founded
- November 9, 2022
- League
- Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
- Home Arena
- Canada Life Centre
- First Season
- 2023
- Championships
- 0
- Retired Jersey
- None
Lore & Background
In 2025, as hosts of the CEBL Championship Weekend, the Sea Bears received an automatic semifinal berth but lost to the Calgary Surge. Head coach Mike Taylor was let go after the defeat and replaced by assistant Mike Raimbault on August 28, 2025.
Reader's Guide
The Winnipeg Sea Bears represent a significant expansion in Canadian professional basketball, quickly establishing themselves as a fan-attracting force in the CEBL. Their inaugural game set a league attendance record, and they consistently drew large crowds, culminating in a championship victory in 2026. The team's success on the court, including a 14–10 regular season and a playoff run that ended with a title, demonstrated their competitiveness. Off the court, the retirement of Chad Posthumus's jersey highlighted the franchise's commitment to honoring its players. The Sea Bears' championship also broke a streak of Eastern Conference dominance, marking a shift in the league's competitive balance. Their journey from expansion team to champions in just four seasons underscores the viability of professional basketball in Winnipeg and the CEBL's growth.
Did You Know?
- The Sea Bears set a league attendance record in their inaugural game with 7,303 fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Winnipeg Sea Bears?
They are a professional basketball franchise based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that competes in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The organization was established in late 2022 and entered league play for the first time in the 2023 season.
Where do the Winnipeg Sea Bears play their home games?
The team hosts its home contests at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. That venue was officially confirmed when the franchise unveiled its name and logo in November 2022.
When was the Winnipeg Sea Bears franchise created?
The CEBL announced Winnipeg as its tenth franchise on November 9, 2022. The team's identity as the Sea Bears was revealed on November 30 of that year, and the squad took the court for the first time on May 27, 2023.
Who is the head coach of the Winnipeg Sea Bears?
Mike Taylor was named the organization's first head coach on December 14, 2022, just a few weeks after the franchise was announced.
How many CEBL championships have the Winnipeg Sea Bears won?
The Sea Bears have not yet won a league title. As a young franchise that only began competing in 2023, they are still building toward that goal.
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