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Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified

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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#61 » by notaname » Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:12 pm

tecumseh18 wrote:
Kingsway_fan wrote:
720 wrote:The city won’t even support the Argos they think a WNBA team can do well here?


No one cares about CFL....this, coming from a season ticket holder in the 80s... even I stopped watching after that...



Hah, I had Calgary Stampeders seasons tickets back in the day - although I was actually more of an Edmonton E ... mails(?) fan back then. CFL is bigger in the West, like curling and Mormonism.

I have a teenage daughter who loves basketball (she just watched Games 5 and 6 of the Finals with me). This needs to happen.


Not sure what you mean by "bigger", most people I know in AB and BC view Mormonism as a cult.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#62 » by tecumseh18 » Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:34 pm

notaname wrote:
tecumseh18 wrote:
Kingsway_fan wrote:
No one cares about CFL....this, coming from a season ticket holder in the 80s... even I stopped watching after that...



Hah, I had Calgary Stampeders seasons tickets back in the day - although I was actually more of an Edmonton E ... mails(?) fan back then. CFL is bigger in the West, like curling and Mormonism.

I have a teenage daughter who loves basketball (she just watched Games 5 and 6 of the Finals with me). This needs to happen.


Not sure what you mean by "bigger", most people I know in AB and BC view Mormonism as a cult.


:lol: I'd say the same about most (all?) religions.

I just meant there are more Mormons out there as a percentage of the population. I even dated one. And played in a band with another. Mormons aren't bad people as individuals. Certainly not "cult-y".
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#63 » by 6ixpessant » Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:26 pm

I'm not sure if I'd consume it, but it would definitely be great for the city and sport.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#64 » by powerhouse117 » Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:48 pm

Reeko wrote:I have a hard time envisioning MLSE buying into a venture that has historically lost money and continues to do so. I agree that the market in Toronto has a lot of potential for a WNBA team, I just doubt it will be MLSE who brings them on.


One could look at the WNBA and say it’s currently at a place that the NBA was in the 60s/70s (ie. losing money and waning interest) and that with time franchise valuations will continue to spike—not as explosively as the NBA but still nonetheless.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#65 » by yodamaster » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:26 am

powerhouse117 wrote:
Reeko wrote:I have a hard time envisioning MLSE buying into a venture that has historically lost money and continues to do so. I agree that the market in Toronto has a lot of potential for a WNBA team, I just doubt it will be MLSE who brings them on.


One could look at the WNBA and say it’s currently at a place that the NBA was in the 60s/70s (ie. losing money and waning interest) and that with time franchise valuations will continue to spike—not as explosively as the NBA but still nonetheless.


what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.

i really think they should think about lowering the net half a foot and smaller court, make the game more fast paced and exciting.

i just find it hilarious WNBA will be a thing in a city that didnt give a flying you know what about women's hockey league. :lol:
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#66 » by Blood Orange » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:27 am

Coco Costanza wrote:
Ivan Drago wrote:Toronto Velociraptors?

Image


um...what?


An idea for the name of Toronto WNBA team?
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#67 » by Slim_Charles » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:39 am

I would support a Toronto WNBA 100% Can't stand those casuals who don't undermine women hoopers!
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#68 » by Westside Gunn » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:06 am

yodamaster wrote:
powerhouse117 wrote:
Reeko wrote:I have a hard time envisioning MLSE buying into a venture that has historically lost money and continues to do so. I agree that the market in Toronto has a lot of potential for a WNBA team, I just doubt it will be MLSE who brings them on.


One could look at the WNBA and say it’s currently at a place that the NBA was in the 60s/70s (ie. losing money and waning interest) and that with time franchise valuations will continue to spike—not as explosively as the NBA but still nonetheless.


what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.

i really think they should think about lowering the net half a foot and smaller court, make the game more fast paced and exciting.

i just find it hilarious WNBA will be a thing in a city that didnt give a flying you know what about women's hockey league. :lol:


they've had a few.

the problem is the big names in the league cannot draw attention. not even their social media. even women watch the nba more than the wnba.

i've been in a plane with a women's basketball team. beastly. but it does become a problem when retired basketball stars in the big 3 draw more attention than the wnba.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#69 » by Federalies » Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:19 am

I don’t necessarily see the idea as a “money making” venture but rather the building out of a national sports entertainment brand. I wouldn’t see the 905 as a big cash cow but it makes sense from a player development point of view. While I don’t live in Toronto, I accept that it’s one of North America’s largest and most diverse cities.

Basketball is so accessible that thanks to the Carter (and now the 2019) Effect, Canadians of all genders, ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds are embracing the sport. MLSE can stand to loose a few $’s if it means supporting the dreams and aspirations of millions of young girls in this Country.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#70 » by D.Brasco » Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:43 am

yodamaster wrote:
powerhouse117 wrote:
Reeko wrote:I have a hard time envisioning MLSE buying into a venture that has historically lost money and continues to do so. I agree that the market in Toronto has a lot of potential for a WNBA team, I just doubt it will be MLSE who brings them on.


One could look at the WNBA and say it’s currently at a place that the NBA was in the 60s/70s (ie. losing money and waning interest) and that with time franchise valuations will continue to spike—not as explosively as the NBA but still nonetheless.


what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.

i really think they should think about lowering the net half a foot and smaller court, make the game more fast paced and exciting.

i just find it hilarious WNBA will be a thing in a city that didnt give a flying you know what about women's hockey league. :lol:


Well Sue Bird is one of the best WNBA players around.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#71 » by Coco Costanza » Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:36 am

Ivan Drago wrote:
Coco Costanza wrote:
Ivan Drago wrote:Toronto Velociraptors?

Image


um...what?


An idea for the name of Toronto WNBA team?


You don't think that might be just a bit confusing since our NBA team uses an abbreviation of the same dinosaur? Is this some weird joke I'm just not getting?
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#72 » by maternal85 » Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:33 pm

Westside Gunn wrote:whos the braveheart investor?

guaranteed loss of money specially in canada where it costs a **** to do everything


We the tax payers will pay for it all. No way MLSE loses money. If you do the research, There are many interests you're forgetting about.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#73 » by hyper316 » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:03 pm

D.Brasco wrote:
yodamaster wrote:
powerhouse117 wrote:
One could look at the WNBA and say it’s currently at a place that the NBA was in the 60s/70s (ie. losing money and waning interest) and that with time franchise valuations will continue to spike—not as explosively as the NBA but still nonetheless.


what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.

i really think they should think about lowering the net half a foot and smaller court, make the game more fast paced and exciting.

i just find it hilarious WNBA will be a thing in a city that didnt give a flying you know what about women's hockey league. :lol:


Well Sue Bird is one of the best WNBA players around.


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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#74 » by CPT » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:27 pm

I like how people are already blaming the non-existent WNBA team for Raptors ticket prices going up.

That isn't how any of this works.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#75 » by Beerpapi » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:08 pm

Reeko wrote:I have a hard time envisioning MLSE buying into a venture that has historically lost money and continues to do so. I agree that the market in Toronto has a lot of potential for a WNBA team, I just doubt it will be MLSE who brings them on.

It’s content. Why do you think TSN keeps throwing money at the CFL to keep it afloat? Cheap summer content for Bell (TSN) and regional market reach.
The way the Raps have evolved into Canada’s team combined with the potential for players from the Women’s National team being involved in a Toronto franchise would add attractiveness from a content perspective.
Throw in the National merch possibilities, the alignment with MLSE’s stated diversity and equity initiatives, low operating costs and I think this would be a low risk venture. At worse a loss leader.

I’m biased though as I feel we’re long overdue for a women’s team. Look around the world there are women’s leagues everywhere- but for some reason it wouldn't work in a city like Toronto?
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#76 » by OakleyDokely » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:15 pm

WNBA could be used as a perk for SSH holders. As part of your package, you get WNBA tickets as well.

Even if the WNBA loses a few million, that's a rounding error for Bell/Rogers.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#77 » by Beerpapi » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:22 pm

yodamaster wrote:
what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.



What would help more is equal or at least fair representation in sports media.
I’m old enough to remember when no one gave a crap about an annual Christmas time U19 boys hockey tournament. TSN bought the rights and broadcasted and promoted every game and years later the World Juniors is “must see tv”. The freakin ads start in October.
I mentioned it already but do you think the CFL would exist if it weren’t for TSN financing and promoting it all summer?


Hopefully the Women’s team has a good run and that translates into some positive ink for them.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#78 » by Skeezo » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:25 pm

maternal85 wrote:
Westside Gunn wrote:whos the braveheart investor?

guaranteed loss of money specially in canada where it costs a **** to do everything


We the tax payers will pay for it all. No way MLSE loses money. If you do the research, There are many interests you're forgetting about.


What do "we the tax payers" have anything to do about it? Canadian Government is NOT buying into the WNBA ??? Maybe you mean, "we the consumers" will support it so MLSE (if they were to buy-in) would not lose money. Well, I can only speak as "ME, the consumer," and I won't be supporting a WNBA team if it comes to an Ontario city. I'm not trying to be a prick, I'm just honest about it.

Slacktivism and virtue signalling is at an all time high... It costs people NOTHING to make themselves seem they are a supporter of all things. It's easy to tell somebody else to spend their money to produce a product just because it sounds like the moral and "equitable" thing to do. However, when it's time to pull out the debit card to go to game, buy merchandize, HELL even watch the game on TV to give their attention to the paying advertisers, only a FRACTION of people will actually do so.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#79 » by Skeezo » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:31 pm

Beerpapi wrote:
yodamaster wrote:
what they need is "michelle jordan" and "laura bird" types, superstar players who capture the attention of the public... probably helps if they are athletic wings.



What would help more is equal or at least fair representation in sports media.
I’m old enough to remember when no one gave a crap about an annual Christmas time U19 boys hockey tournament. TSN bought the rights and broadcasted and promoted every game and years later the World Juniors is “must see tv”. The freakin ads start in October.
I mentioned it already but do you think the CFL would exist if it weren’t for TSN financing and promoting it all summer?


Hopefully the Women’s team has a good run and that translates into some positive ink for them.


The WNBA had a National TV contract with NBC, how much more promotion would you like them to give? The World Juniors is popular ONLY in Canada, and that because we have a chance of WINNING every year. When you're in a country that believe HOCKEY is its National Sport and its NHL teams haven't been able to win a Stanley Cup in years, of course the the audience will gravitate toward a product where it can cheer for a winner. Additionally, this IS the feeder system of players who WILL BE the stars of the NHL in the future the same way March Madness is the feeder system to the future stars of the NBA.
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Re: Report: Toronto among potential WNBA expansion cities identified 

Post#80 » by Hero_Panda » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:38 pm

I'm going to be that guy.
How many people who are excited about this opportunity actually watch and follow the WNBA right now?

It's not my money so I'm indifferent if the WNBA expands to Toronto or not, but based on past experiences with what i've seen of the product, it leaves much to be desired.

I do agree though that having a team up here wouldn't hurt us the consumers, as it's the NBA that's subsidizing the WNBA teams. I don't think the Raptors will be affected in terms of ticket prices and such.
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