[Smith] MLSE board decides against pursuing WNBA team now. If an expansion team comes – and that is nowhere near a sure thing – it’s not going to involve MLSE as owners, as sensible as that would seem Story in the works
by Summertime06
@Toronto Raptors
20 Comments
F
Via the star – On the heels of the WNBA announcing its expansion plans to the Bay Area today, the Star has learned that Toronto’s bid for a team is very much in question because Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is no longer pursuing a franchise.
I don’t know what’s worse – MLSE deciding against a WNBA team or that Doug Smith is breaking this new re: A WNBA team won’t involve MLSE
If the sticking point is them fixating on playing in SBA then I get it
That’s really too bad. It would have been great for the league and another way to push the sport in Canada.
I don’t blame MLSE especially if they felt they were forced to use the Scotiabank arena. The team would already be a sunk cost and then to lose revenue from other events would be a bit too much for them.
Hopefully the WNBA loosens it’s requirements. There’s a place for a team in this city
Money MLSE
They were worried about it not making money?
WNBA really dropped the ball in getting a huge market for their league
Toronto is a huge sports city. Those guys are idiots.
How disappointing. It’s great to see the WNBA growing, I really hope Toronto/Canada can embrace it too.
NAV can partner with LT and do it without MLSE.
MLSE likely just doesnt see it as a money maker, so they wont bother.
Come on Drake.
Get ready for the “why won’t MLSE fund this team…so cheap” comments from the crowd that doesn’t watch the WNBA right now.
If the WNBA were being reasonable they would be happy in the arena the marlies play in. They can’t expect owners to lose money to accommodate thier league, it has to work for both parties.
Alright yall lets start a gofundme and buy a wnba team ourselves, its a guaranteed bag. Especially if we draft Paige Beuckers or Caitlin Clarke. Up vote this comment and watch how MLSE changes their tune
If they were demanding games at Scotiabank, that’s probably why it didn’t work out. They should’ve accepted Coca-cola where the Marlies play. Smaller venue, but much easier to fill out and if it really takes off, move them to Scotiabank. Plus Coca-cola would still be one of the biggest venues in the WNBA
Kind of a no-brainer to have a WNBA team in Toronto –
Are there not other comparable venues they could play in ? I’m not too familiar with Toronto sports complexes but I’d imagine they have something to offer that isn’t a high school gymnasium
Also – would it be hard to coordinate games at the Raps venue, and have the games before/after the raps games? I’d imagine logistically it could work out well, have the courts already set up for the raptors games and then you could sell double-pass tickets.
Personally if I’m flying to Toronto to watch a raptors game, and I had the option to sit in on a WNBA game the same day for a slightly additional cost, I’d do it. Would I fly to TO to watch a WNBA game? Hell no.
That seems like a win-win situation
They don’t wanna give up revenue from big title concerts.
WNBA cities and name ideas outside of Toronto:
Winnipeg Beavers
Montreal French Ladies
Saint Johns Bumkins
Vancouver Karen’s
Calgary Trudeau Fuckers
Hamilton Meth