RAPTORS INTRODUCE NBA STYLE TO TORONTO; WILL JAYS FOLLOW?

     A comparison of the marketing of the Blue Jays and Raptors
is featured by Jim Byers of the TORONTO STAR.  From a marketing
standpoint, the Raptors "have been nothing short of a public
relations volcano, crashing and elbowing their way into the
collective minds of the sporting public."  Thus, Byers writes,
"the temptation" might be for the Jays to "dress up their game in
some NBA-style wolf's clothing"   -- but "don't count on it."
Jays Marketing Dir Paul Markle: "Basketball is totally different
that baseball ... B.J. Birdy can't run up and down a confined
court and do slam dunks. ... The NBA and Raptors are very
entertaining.  It's like the World Wrestling Federation.  But I
think we've been reasonably successful."  Markle said changes
could include improvements from the JumboTron, "more modern
music," and maybe a camera following Birdy around in the stands.
Blue Jays President Paul Beeston said baseball can't be changed,
adding, "Some people complain about it, but it's the only sport
without a clock" (TORONTO STAR, 2/14)