The Raptors' preference would be to play the '20-21 NBA season in Toronto, but the Tampa area "has emerged from several potential destinations as the most likely temporary home" for the team "should it come to that," according to sources cited by Michael Grange of SPORTSNET.ca. As the Raptors "lobby for a favourable outcome, their plan is to push the timing of the decision as close to the limit as they possibly can." Those familiar with the Raptors' proposal to the federal government said that "visiting teams would be 'bubbled' from the moment they arrived at the airport." Sources said that a scenario in which the Raptors would have to "begin training camp without a guarantee they can play the season in Toronto" is something the team "won't accept." The Raptors are "well-connected politically," with team President Masai Ujiri counting Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "among his long list of friends in high places." However, that "may not be enough to tip the balance on such a sensitive issue" (SPORTSNET.ca, 11/11).
EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS: Raptors Dir of Communications Jennifer Quinn in an email wrote, "We're exploring options for our Plan B. But our main focus is on playing next season in Toronto." In Tampa, Eduardo Encina notes the city also is a "strong candidate to become an NHL hub city, if the league chooses to go that route for its season because of the virus." Discussions with the NHL about being a hub "predate talks with the Raptors, so if the NHL goes with hub cities and picks Tampa, it would take priority over the Raptors." Alternatively, if the NHL went to a schedule that "allowed each team to play home games in their own arena, Amalie Arena could host both the Lightning and Raptors" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/13).
