Saint John and Cape Breton Sit Out 2019-20 NBLC Season

NBL Canada executives have announced that the Saint John Riptide and Cape Breton Highlanders will not be returning for the upcoming season.

Both teams have been granted a one-year leave of absence from the league to "restructure and improve their financial capacity." The Highlanders and the Riptide both intend to re-join the NBLC for the 2020-2021 season.

All players put on the two teams' protected lists will be allowed to sign with other NBL Canada franchises.

This means that eight teams will be playing in 2019-20. It has not been said if this news will see the league being re-structured, as the two teams play in the league's Atlantic Division, which is now down to three teams.

The Cape Breton Highlanders had their best season in their history in 2018-19, finishing third in their division with a franchise-best 21-24 record. They also made the playoffs for the first time.

In the same season the Saint John Riptide made the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round, with guard Frank Bartley scooping up the Rookie of the Year award.