The co-owner and managing partner of Edmonton’s professional basketball team has died. The Edmonton Stingers announced the passing of James F.C. Burns on Tuesday. He was 71. Burns was part of a group that bought the Stingers three years ago from the Canadian Elite Basketball League, becoming the sixth private owners of a team in the circuit that started play in 2019. His ownership partners included Reed Clarke, who is now a city councillor and Tanik Vander. In a tribute on their website, the Stingers called Burns “the heart of our organization.” “From the very beginning, his vision, passion, and unwavering commitment helped shape the Edmonton Stingers into one of the premier franchises in the Canadian Elite Basketball League,” the team said. “He believed in the power of sport to bring people together, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for others.” Burns also served as the CEBL’s board chair and once served as president of Canada Basketball for three years. In recent years, he had been chief executive officer of Alcanna, a liquor and cannabis retailer that held brands such as Wine and Beyond, Liquor Depot, Ace Liquor and Nova Cannabis. Alcanna was sold to Calgary-based SNDL in 2022.
