The Montreal Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicolas Lesage as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the professional Montreal-based team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in professional sports, sponsorship, media, and major event operations, Lesage joins the organization at a pivotal time in its development. In his role as COO, Lesage will oversee day-to-day operations and help guide the Alliance’s strategic direction, strengthening the club’s internal structure and supporting the continued growth of professional basketball in Montreal.“I’m very happy to return to the sports world with an organization that’s rising fast,” said Nicolas Lesage. “Sports have always been part of my professional DNA, and I’m excited to help the Alliance establish its place in Montreal’s sports landscape.” A Proven Leader in Sports, Media, and Entertainment Over the course of his career, Lesage has held key leadership roles within major sports and cultural organizations, including the Montreal Alouettes, RDS/Bell Media, Groupe Juste pour rire (Groupe CH), Productions Podium, as well as communications and marketing roles at Cossette and Carat – Créativité Média, where he gained extensive experience in media strategy and integrated advertising solutions. His expertise includes building and integrating strategic and financial frameworks, directing sponsorship portfolios, developing operational infrastructures, and leading brand transformation initiatives. Among his notable achievements are the redevelopment of the Alouettes’ visual identity and the implementation of a sponsorship and marketing framework at Centre 21.02. A Shared Vision for the Future “Nicolas’s experience in professional sports, along with his expertise in sponsorships and media sales, made him the obvious choice for this role,” said Mark Weightman, Governor of the Montreal Alliance. “The success of our previous collaborations will allow us to be effective quickly, and I look forward to working with him again.” Lesage added: “Mark and I share a clear vision for the future of the organization, and with strong support from ownership, I believe we can achieve our goals and have a meaningful impact on the community.” About Nicolas Lesage A respected leader in the Canadian sports and entertainment industry, Nicolas Lesage specializes in commercial strategy, partnership development, and operational leadership. He supports organizations through his consulting practice, NLPS, and has been actively involved in various community initiatives over the years, including the Montreal Alouettes Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, and minor league baseball (LBAVR).

The Montreal Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Weightman as Governor of Montreal’s professional basketball club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). With over 30 years of experience in professional sports, Weightman returns to a role he previously held from 2021 to 2023. In his new position, he will oversee the strategic direction of the organization and ensure the continued strengthening of its foundations as the team prepares to enter a new stage of growth within Quebec’s professional sports landscape. Now entering its fifth season in the CEBL, the Alliance embarks on a phase defined by ambition, stability, and long-term success. “The addition of Mark to the organization is a crucial step in the growth of the Montreal Alliance,” said Léo Bouisson, co-owner of the team since January 2025. “There are very few people in Quebec with as much experience and expertise in the world of professional sports and live events.” “We have clearly reached a new level of maturity, and the future of our professional basketball franchise is now taking shape with clarity and optimism for the years ahead,” added co-owner Ian-Philip Paul-Hus. An experienced leader in professional sports Renowned for his strategic vision and ability to build and revitalize sports organizations, Mark Weightman has worked across several professional leagues, notably in football and hockey. President and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes on two occasions (2013–2016, 2023–2025), he also devoted 23 years of service to the organization, leading several major initiatives including the expansion of Percival Molson Stadium and the organization of the 2001 and 2008 Grey Cups in Montreal. Beyond football, Weightman led the Laval Rocket (AHL) and Place Bell from 2018 to 2020, then oversaw the creation of the Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL), an affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, which he presided over from 2020 to 2023. He was instrumental in bringing professional basketball to Montreal and spearheaded the creation of the Montreal Alliance franchise in 2021, marking the CEBL’s expansion into Quebec. His expertise has also been sought internationally, where he contributed to the restructuring of top-tier hockey clubs in Switzerland (National League) and Sweden (Swedish Hockey League). A return driven by passion and continuity “I am proud to return to the Montreal Alliance, an organization that I helped build and that has tremendous potential,” said Mark Weightman. “Basketball is experiencing phenomenal growth in Quebec, and our goal is to establish the Alliance as a lasting pillar in Montreal’s sports landscape.”  About Mark Weightman In addition to his role as Governor of the Alliance, Weightman also works as a consultant, supporting various professional sports organizations in their development, governance, and commercial strategy.