Fans likely would not be allowed in Scotiabank Arena even if the Raptors are permitted to play thereGETTY IMAGES
The Raptors are "fighting hard to stay in Toronto" for the '20-21 season, according to sources cited by Marc Berman of the N.Y. POST. Other possibilities include moving to Newark's Prudential Center, sharing Barclays Center with the Nets or playing in K.C., Seattle or the Tampa Bay area. Sources said that the likelihood of remaining in Toronto "still is very much on the table." Sources said that the NBA is "working with governments in both Canada and the United States to come up with new guidelines that would make it feasible for visiting teams to travel to and play in Toronto." Despite spikes in positive cases, the Raptors' "strong priority is remaining this season as Scotiabank Arena." If the Raptors do stay in Toronto, there is a "good chance fans still would not be allowed in the arena for games" (N.Y. POST, 11/8).
MUSIC CITY: THE ATHLETIC's Adam Vingan cited a source as saying that Nashville is "among the cities being considered as a temporary home" for the Raptors. The source said that Raptors officials "visited Nashville earlier this week." The source said that K.C. and Tampa also are "in the running." In the event of a geographically weighted schedule, the Raptors "would likely prefer to be located closer to their Atlantic Division rivals" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/7). In Toronto, Damien Cox noted the Raptors problems are "more complex than most teams." They have not played in Toronto since March. With COVID-19 cases rising dangerously in the U.S. and in Ontario, it "would truly take a unique solution -- or a vaccine -- for the Raptors to be able to play out of Scotiabank Arena late next month." With no fans likely to be allowed to NBA games when the season resumes, the Raptors "really just need a quality arena, something reasonably close to other Eastern Conference rivals" (TORONTO SUN, 11/7).
