TSN 1200 Ottawa Returns as Official Radio Broadcaster of the Ottawa BlackJacks

The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and TSN announced Monday they have reached a regional radio broadcast rights agreement that will again make TSN 1200 Ottawa the official radio broadcaster of the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2021 CEBL season.

The BlackJacks also announced its on-air talent to include long-time TSN 1200 radio personality AJ Jakubec as play-by-play, former pro player and University of Ottawa alumna Hanna Sunley-Paisley as analyst, and hoops host from 3-in-the-Key, Elias El-Zein as sideline reporter.

TSN 1200 Ottawa showcased the BlackJacks semifinal run during the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, its first season in the CEBL. The nation’s capital all-sports station will again simulcast all BlackJacks games but for the first time, the call will come courtside at the Arena at TD Place beginning June 24 at 7 p.m. when the BlackJacks open the 2021 CEBL campaign against the Niagara River Lions.

Exclusive interviews with BlackJacks players, coaches and front office staff will be featured on TSN 1200 Ottawa when training camp begins June 16.

The broadcast crew tasked with calling the action possess a great combination of experience, expertise, and excitement.

Jakubec is a 24-year sports broadcasting veteran, who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 15 years after stops throughout British Columbia and his native Edmonton. Jakubec’s first basketball call was as the voice of the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas from 2001-03. In Ottawa, he has brought the action to viewers and listeners during numerous Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees games, including the annual Capital Hoops Classic and multiple U SPORTS Championships. His local play-by-play experience includes work with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oil Kings, Atlético Ottawa, and Ottawa Fury FC, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

A well-known basketball face in Ottawa, Sunley-Paisley, left her hometown of Toronto at the age of 18 to play basketball for the University of Ottawa. A storied collegiate career, she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts, three All-Canadian awards to her name, and a bronze medal at nationals in her final year. Sunley-Paisley went on to play a year of professional basketball in Germany. While there, she began to write her first full length novel. In the fall of 2014, Paisley hung up her basketball shoes, and went back to school. She spent a year in college before deciding to focus on her writing, and coaching. She started coaching with Ottawa Next Level and loved it, but after a couple years of being on the sideline, she realized she wasn’t done with basketball. She started training again, and in the fall of 2016, signed her second professional contract, this time in France. She played for three years in France, and in her final season of professional basketball, she published her first novel, Magic Required. Now, living in Ottawa, she works as a personal trainer, Crossfit coach and YouTuber.

El-Zein has become a true basketball insider. His understanding of the game as well as his knowledge of the Ottawa/Gatineau basketball community will be showcased throughout each broadcast, keeping the fans informed and engaged during every BlackJacks game. El-Zein graduated in Radio Broadcasting at Algonquin College in 2012 and then specialized in Sports Broadcasting. During the 2014-15 U SPORTS season, El-Zein became the play-by-play commentator for the Carleton Ravens men’s and women’s basketball teams. In March of 2016, El-Zein and his friends started a basketball podcast called 3-in-the Key. Two years later, they had their first live radio show on TSN 1200 Ottawa. 3-in-the Key is now live every Sunday at noon talking about the CEBL, NBA, NCAA and U SPORTS. Roaming the CEBL sidelines this season, El-Zein will bring details from within the huddles to fans watching and listening at home.

TSN 1200 Ottawa is the official radio broadcaster of the Ottawa BlackJacks, Ottawa Senators, Ottawa REDBLACKS, and Ottawa 67’s. The station continues to feature frequent contributions from TSN’s all-star team of Insiders, experts and analysts.

Along with listening on AM 1200 in the Greater Ottawa Region, fans can listen live at TSN1200.ca and through the TSN app. The station’s podcasts are available on-demand at TSN1200.ca.

OTTAWA BLACKJACKS 2021 CEBL REGULAR SEASON

(All times Eastern)

June 24            Ottawa vs. Niagara                   7:00 p.m.

June 28            Ottawa vs. Guelph                   7:00 p.m.

July 1               Ottawa vs. Hamilton                2:00 p.m.

July 3               Ottawa at Fraser Valley            7:00 p.m.

July 5               Ottawa at Edmonton                9:30 p.m.

July 10             Ottawa vs. Fraser Valley           7:00 p.m.

July 12             Ottawa at Guelph                     7:00 p.m.

July 17             Ottawa vs. Edmonton               4:00 p.m.

July 21             Ottawa at Hamilton                  7:00 p.m.

July 24             Ottawa at Niagara                    7:00 p.m.

July 26             Ottawa vs. Saskatchewan         7:00 p.m.

August 4          Ottawa vs. Guelph                   7:00 p.m.

August 6          Ottawa at Guelph                     7:00 p.m.

August 8          Ottawa at Niagara                    2:00 p.m.

Quotes:

“The Ottawa BlackJacks and the CEBL are excited to welcome back TSN 1200 Ottawa to its broadcast roster. Playing this season at the Arena at TD Place with our own on-air talent calling the action will provide further excitement to basketball fans listening in the Ottawa-Gatineau market.”

- Michael Cvitkovic, President, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club

“The Ottawa BlackJacks had a great first season in 2020 and basketball fans enjoyed the in-depth coverage from TSN 1200 Ottawa. We are thrilled to bring our listeners more games in 2021 as we ride this wave of basketball popularity throughout the region.”

- Richard Gray, Regional General Manager, Radio/TV, Eastern Region, Bell Media

About the Ottawa BlackJacks

The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks will showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. In its inaugural campaign, the BlackJacks earned a semifinal appearance at the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by general manager Jevohn Shepherd, assistant general manager Andy Rautins and head coach Charles Dubé-Brais, Ottawa will play its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.

About Canadian Elite Basketball League

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to more information on CEBL.ca or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Linkedin, Facebook & YouTube. (@cebleague).

Social Media

Facebook: /OttawaBlackJacks

Twitter: @Ott_Blackjacks

Instagram: ottawablackjacks

Contact:

For the Ottawa BlackJacks:

Marika Guérin

Manager, Communications and Community

[email protected]

For TSN:

Rob Duffy, (w) 416.384.5717, (c) 416.802.3319, [email protected]