Deacon Sports has announced it’s reached a deal in principle to buy the rights to the St. John’s Edge Basketball Club from Atlantic Sport Enterprises Ltd., ensuring the team returns to play in the region.

Deacon Sports owner Dean MacDonald says the transaction ensures that fans of the St. John’s Edge will continue to enjoy the high-level professional basketball they’ve grown accustomed to for the last three seasons.

Planning for NBL Canada’s 10th season is continuing and further announcements on the schedule and structure will be made in the coming weeks.

However, it remains unclear where the Edge would play, since the City of St. John’s has already secured a new franchise for Mile One Centre in the American Basketball Association.

Deacon Sports and Entertainment also operates three ECHL hockey franchises in St. John’s, Iowa, and Trois-Rivières, Quebec.