Official: Toronto Is Getting A WNBA Team - Press Conference Today link pg 9

[ruckus]

Hmm, I wish it was on the subway. I was looking forward to buying seasons seats for my daughter, but she'll be off to university by 2026.

We'll have the Ontario line eventually but most likely not for another 10 years. There's always the GO. Subway to Union, train to Exhibition. It's only one stop so theoretically it wouldn't take that long if you time it right.

[Smalltown]

hopefully the Arena is centrally located. My biggest deterrent to going to the 905 games is that I don't want to drive to Mississauga. If they can play somewhere in the downtown core that'll do wonders for numbers

Exhibition Place. Coca-Cola Coliseum.

So not the easiest place to get to. Or out of. Don't have the fondest memories getting to CNE.

I mean it's right on the GO line. Can't be much easier than that especially for those coming from the east or west.

[ForeverTFC]

So owning a WNBA franchise must be profitable ?

It will be

Even if it isn't, Larry has made a ton of money from the game of basketball. No shame in him giving back to it. With that said, Toronto is a market that should be able to support the team.

Also, profitability is a bit of an overrated metric when looking at these decisions. According to Forbes, TFC - like the majority of the teams in the MLS - was unprofitable in 2022 (they had the highest payroll in the league). MLSE paid $10m for the franchise in 2005 and in 2023, Forbes valued them at $690m. That's a ~27% IRR on MLSE's investment.

I really hope Larry can somehow get the Raptors from Roger and Bell when it's time to sell his share.

[Jeremy Lin 7]

Kudos to Larry T for getting it done. One of few Owners that are actually respectable

[T0R0NT0_RAPT0RS]

Great news, but typical NBA, we get our team one year too late to get Paige Bueckers.

I know right... my first thought was '**** we could get Paige!".

Guess we'll just have to hope for JuJu or eventually Canadian star, Toby Fournier, the best female dunker in the world.

Watch on YouTube

;pp=ygUNdG9ieSBmb3Vybmllcg%3D%3D

Syla Swords is another interesting name. She's commited to play for the University of Michigan.

https://youtu.be/l6YzdX_EZTM?si=UdYv2C71p5KwYW3y

[DonDoolie]

This is HUGE. Not going to lie I never really gave any attention to the WNBA but now that we got a team I will def follow them!


Any idea what they are going to call them or that hasn't even been discussed yet?

[TheGeneral99]

Great news.

Shows that Toronto has officially become a legitimate basketball powerhouse. In the last 10 years we've shed the myth that this is purely a hockey town.

[kalel123]

Exhibition Place. Coca-Cola Coliseum.

So not the easiest place to get to. Or out of. Don't have the fondest memories getting to CNE.

I mean it's right on the GO line. Can't be much easier than that especially for those coming from the east or west.

Don't think that'd be the case if you live in Toronto.

[OakleyDokely]

Toronto Towhers

[GQStylin]

Goodluck to the new team. I guess if the PWHL can do pretty well in Toronto so far with all tickets so out for their home games its possible that the WNBA can follow suit here. I've watched a few PWHL games and it was alright and I like that you can catch the games on Youtube which makes it easy to watch if you want. I'll probably catch a few Toronto games for the WNBA here and there but that's about it.

[GP2]

Dope. DIdn't expect this announcement so soon.

[basketballto]

So owning a WNBA franchise must be profitable ?

No way can women's sports be profitable

- Ed Rogers

This doesn't impact me. But I'm going to complain about it anyways. When we actually know why I'm complaining about it.

Not completely against it but it has an impact. It push other sports programming off of tsn or sportsnet. It will pollutes news stations with over coverage. It will be profitable from day one in Toronto. I would love to be part of that investment.

[SpezNc]

This is going to be such a success. Basketball in the summer ? It's a no brainer, MLSE was dumb to pass this up.

MLSE passed it up because the WNBA wanted the team to play home games at Scotiabank. They wouldn't have sold out season tickets to Scotiabank plus MLSE didn't want to lose the concert dates in the summer.

This article says they will be playing at Coca Cola arena, so clearly the WNBA caved.

I don’t think that was the reason . Sounds like Ed Rogers was looking to an excuse and wanted to be the contrarian again .

[Duffman100]

No way can women's sports be profitable

- Ed Rogers

This doesn't impact me. But I'm going to complain about it anyways. When we actually know why I'm complaining about it.

Not completely against it but it has an impact. It push other sports programming off of tsn or sportsnet. It will pollutes news stations with over coverage. It will be profitable from day one in Toronto. I would love to be part of that investment.

How dare news stations are "polluted" with womens sports

[lobosloboslobos]

yay. great news for Toronto. especially for its young women.

[Airmiess]

2026 is good because anytime sooner would be the worst possible timing with Drake's stock being at an all time low. He could have really propelled this thing, but the fans will show up regardless. Ill be going.

[DreamTeam09]

Toronto Dimes

Dime is Toronto slang for 10 outta 10 female
Dime is Basketball slang for 10 outta 10 pass/ assist

I'm just joking

[duppyy]

If they are playing outside of the downtown core then this team is DOA. Just my pessimistic view on it.

[WuTang_OG]

good insight on how rogers just wants to cut costs and why they didnt want the team

https://youtu.be/j5df9KL2m1A?t=3868

[D.Brasco]

good insight on how rogers just wants to cut costs and why they didnt want the team

https://youtu.be/j5df9KL2m1A?t=3868

So the WNBA team is not going to be affiliated with the Raptors due to the lack of MLSE involvement? No cross promotion?