The Raptors "will play their home games at Amalie Arena and train in the Tampa Bay area" to start the NBA season after being "unable to gain an exemption to travel in and out of Canada due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions," according to Eduardo Encina of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Tampa "emerged as a leading candidate to host the Raptors earlier this month, but Amalie Arena also was considered a possible NHL hub city." The venue "presumably could host both the Raptors and Lightning if the NHL decides to allow teams to play games in their home arenas." The length of the Raptors’ stay in Tampa is "unclear and certainly will depend on the pandemic" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/21). Encina noted Toronto Mayor John Tory "anticipated a potential late-winter/spring return to Canada if the pandemic gets under control" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/22).
SEE YOU LATER, NOT GOODBYE: Tory on Friday said, "We’ll support the Raptors wherever they’re playing because they’re our Raptors. And Tampa Bay shouldn’t get any ideas in that regard, they’re our Raptors and they will be our team." In Toronto, Rachel Brady noted "We the South" was "trending on Twitter on Friday soon after the news broke" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/21). Also in Toronto, Doug Smith noted the "chance exists" for the Raptors to "play the second half of the season in Toronto, if border and public health safety concerns are met." The Canadian government "turned down a plan that the team and the NBA had proposed to address public health concerns while allowing the Raptors to play their home games at Scotiabank Arena during the pandemic." The Raptors' training camp will be held at Saint Leo University (TORONTO STAR, 11/21).
PLAYERS LIKED TAMPA: The TIMES' Encina noted the Raptors two weeks ago "sent a delegation to Tampa to tour facilities, not just Amalie Arena but also the Muma Basketball Center at USF and the AdventHealth Center Ice arena in Wesley Chapel as potential practice facility options." Raptors players "voted that they preferred Tampa" over cities such as Buffalo, Ft. Lauderdale, Louisville, Nashville and Newark. The NHL was "okay with the move despite the fact it eliminated Amalie Arena as a potential hub site" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/22).
TAXES A FACTOR: Asked if the Raptors' predicament might dissuade him from recommending Toronto to his clients, NBA agent Bernie Lee said, “It’s not ideal, but not at all." THE ATHLETIC's Koreen & Murphy reported the "lack of state income tax" in Florida was one reason the Raptors opted for Tampa, as NBA players are taxed "proportionally based on where they play each game." Ft. Lauderdale was also considered, but the "proximity to the Miami Heat was one factor in eventually ruling it out." Beyond "high-level basketball facilities, Tampa also offers a brand new JW Marriott hotel next to Amalie Arena" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/20). In Toronto, Mike Ganter wrote, "No one can really say they are surprised by this development" (TORONTO SUN, 11/21).
