Newfoundland Rogues to take over Mile One Centre as St. John's newest basketball franchise

The newest professional sports franchise to hitSt. John's unveiled itslogo Wednesday at a courtside press conference at Mile One Centre.

TheNewfoundland Rogueswill play at the province's largest stadium, the former home of the St. John's Edge of theNational Basketball League of Canada.

It's the first time an American Basketball Association franchise has settled in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"I have some very, very talented guys," said head coach Jerry Williams, who said he's signed more thana dozen players so far.

The Rogues will host all 30 of its games in the upcoming season at Mile One. St. John's Mayor Danny Breensaid he anticipates a boost for nearby businesses.

"We are very pleased with it," he told reporters at Wednesday's unveiling. "Having those 30event nights is huge. It means more people downtown, more people visiting the businesses downtown and generating the economic activity that Mile One Centreis designed to generate."

The Rogues have signed a five-year lease at the city-owned stadium, which has struggled to retain a tenant over the last two years.

Owner Tony Kenny said he expected to bring "high-level ball" to the city, and conveyed confidence the team would draw in a fanbase despite co-existing, and potentiallycompeting, with the St. John's Edge.

"A lot of former NBA players have come in this league and they're very competitive and they're very entertaining. So the league will sell on entertainment, and we are going to deliver that here at Mile One," he said.

"Ultimately, the fans are going to decide what entertainment they're going to go see."

The newest version of the ABA, launched in 1999, comprises dozens of teams across North America, from Alaska to Florida.

The Newfoundland Rogues open their season Nov. 27.

Read morefrom CBC Newfoundland and Labrador