The NBA has "approached" the Raptors about possibly hosting
the NBA All-Star Game in '97 or '98. But team President John
Bitove said the franchise will not submit a bid, "at least for
the time being," instead focusing on their season-ticket drive
and the completion of negotiations for an arena site. Bitove did
not rule out considering an all-star offer at a later date,
adding that hosting an All-Star Game is "something we would like
to do sooner rather than later." The NBA has a history of
awarding an all-star game to expansion franchises as a way of
bringing attention to the new team, and the league has already
approached the Vancouver Grizzlies about hosting the game in '99
(Craig Daniels, TORONTO SUN, 12/15).
RAPTORS, RAPTORS EVERYWHERE: Mike Davenport, president of
the Sports Organizing Committee in Pinellas County, FL, said he
is working on a deal to bring the Raptors to St. Petersburg for
training camp at the ThunderDome. Davenport hopes to have an
agreement with the team within a few months (Paul Abercrombie,
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 12/15).
