After Raptors coach Butch Carter told the Toronto media
that he feared that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
was not committed to the NBA team, MLSE President Richard
Peddie called the company's ownership of the Raptors and
Maple Leafs the "basic description of synergy." Peddie:
"One plus one equals three." Meanwhile, Scott Burnside
calls the Raptors a success at the box office, as the team
has sold out 13 of their last 22 home games, including four
in a row (NATIONAL POST, 3/23). Carter, after his comments
on MLSE and his concern that the NBA wants G Vince Carter to
play in the U.S.: "I took my spanking from my general
manager this morning." He said MLSE has been "1,000%
behind" the Raptors, but added, "Is there one person I've
had a problem with on the hockey side? Yes. I thought I
should have named that person (in yesterday's story)"
(TORONTO SUN, 3/23). NBA Senior VP/Communications Brian
McIntyre, on rumors the league wants Vince Carter in the
U.S.: "The simple notion that playing in Toronto is a bad
thing is ludicrous. If in fact there was a highly placed
league executive saying that, well, there are moronic ideas
everywhere. A singular and stupid comment does not
represent the NBA's point of view" (TORONTO STAR, 3/23).
