OT: Most Popular Athlete in Toronto?

[Randle McMurphy]

I'd be interested to know how many Torontonians even know who Demar DeRozan is. My guess is not as many as you'd think. Basketball just isn't that popular a sport in the city, and DeRozan, after only two years, isn't nearly as well known as Bargnani.

[LittleOzzy]

I'd be interested to know how many Torontonians even know who Demar DeRozan is. My guess is not as many as you'd think. Basketball just isn't that popular a sport in the city, and DeRozan, after only two years, isn't nearly as well known as Bargnani.

I think you have lost touch with the regular sports fan in the city. DD has been marketed big time by the Raptors and his popularity has proven it has worked.

This kid has been in two dunk contests already and although he may not be as well known as Bargnani, he is still a house hold name.

Basketball is more popular than you think.

[Randle McMurphy]

That might be true, I don't even live in Canada and haven't for years.

Perhaps DeRozan is a bigger name than I think, but I will still argue that basketball's popularity in Toronto is not even close to hockey or even baseball. The poor television ratings for the Raptors are quite telling.

[K1NG]

I think J Bau.

Any Leafs that steps it up, would take the spot. But for now, J-Bau has that mystique going for him.

This.

[OldNo7]

That might be true, I don't even live in Canada and haven't for years.

Perhaps DeRozan is a bigger name than I think, but I will still argue that basketball's popularity in Toronto is not even close to hockey or even baseball. The poor television ratings for the Raptors are quite telling.

If you havent lived in Canada for years how would you have any idea who is the most popular in the city, or what sport is more popular? Hockey is obviously #1 in the city, but there is a great argument for basketball being more popular than baseball right now.

The poor TV ratings have as much to do with the TV stations themselves, with too many games being played on SN1, but also because everyone expected the Raptors to suck hard this year and that they would be borderline unwatchable. Their attendance is far better in regards to filling the arena than the Jays, far far better - and the Raptors tickets are severely overpriced.

I still picked Jose though, because his 54HR campaign put him on the map in a huge way in the city, and the accomplishment was far bigger than anyone else achieved in any other Toronto sport in recent history.

[Randle McMurphy]

If you havent lived in Canada for years how would you have any idea who is the most popular in the city, or what sport is more popular? Hockey is obviously #1 in the city, but there is a great argument for basketball being more popular than baseball right now.

When you have lived in a place for a long time, you generally have connections with the people that live in that place.

The poor TV ratings have as much to do with the TV stations themselves, with too many games being played on SN1, but also because everyone expected the Raptors to suck hard this year and that they would be borderline unwatchable. Their attendance is far better in regards to filling the arena than the Jays, far far better - and the Raptors tickets are severely overpriced.

No, I would say the huge difference is mostly because there are far more Jays fans than Raptors fans. The Raptors got terrible ratings on CBC and TSN in recent years as well, so don't blame Sportsnet and don't blame this terrible season.