When people describe Milan Mann, the word that comes up most often is “builder.” Not just because he leads one of Western Canada’s fastest-growing construction and development groups, the BM Group of Companies, but because every stage of his career has been shaped by a desire to build something meaningful—for his family, for his community, and now, for professional basketball in British Columbia.
As President of the BM Group of Companies, Mann oversees a diversified portfolio that spans construction, materials supply, civil infrastructure, environmental remediation, real estate, and large-scale project management. He often says that B.C. is where he learned the values that shaped every decision he makes—hard work, humility, and a deep commitment to giving back.
Those values are at the core of his latest venture—joining the ownership team of the Vancouver Bandits, Fraser Valley’s professional franchise in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The move is more than a business decision for Mann. It’s the culmination of a lifelong connection to the sport and a continuation of his philosophy that community investment creates lasting impact.
Before he ever stepped into an ownership role, Mann was a Bandits supporter, season-ticket holder, and community partner. Basketball had always been part of his life—a sport he loved growing up, a source of joy and competition, and a vehicle for community connection. “I want basketball and Bandits in B.C. to be synonymous. So, whether that is programming on and off the court, I want to develop with the Bandits team a sense of consistency.”
For Mann, turning the page is not just about branding or visibility; it's about creating a vision for places where young people can gather, play, and dream. “Like a lot of immigrant children, I grew up playing basketball at school or in someone’s driveway. I always said if I couldn’t be Kobe Bryant, my favorite basketball player, I always wanted to be Dr. Buss, who was the owner of the Lakers at the time, and I just want to make those dreams of mine come true”.
The Bandits themselves are a growing force in Canadian professional sports. Since joining the CEBL, the Bandits have cultivated one of the league’s most passionate fanbases and become a regional leader in youth programming, cultural outreach, and community-driven sport. The addition of Mann to the ownership team signals a new, ambitious chapter—one that combines business acumen with community-first values.
He leads with a long-term view, the same mindset that guided BM Group’s expansion and its reputation for reliability. In joining the Bandits, he isn’t simply adding another business line—he’s investing in a cultural institution he believes can inspire the next generation.
In Mann’s words, “My message to the South Asian community is that this is the community’s team, come out and support. All it takes is one game; nobody leaves the game disappointed, and they feel more excited for the next game. We are the Bandits; when people come, they become the Fandits. This is the team for the community, and I want people to feel the same ownership.”
