Several reports and a statement from the team’s president confirm what Tampa Bay basketball fans were hoping to hear: the NBA’s Toronto Raptors will play at least the beginning of the team’s 2020-21 season in Tampa.
“Ultimately, the current public health situation facing Canadians, combined with the urgent need to determine where we will play means that we will begin our 2020-21 season in Tampa, Florida,"Masai Ujiri, president of basketball operations for the Raptors wrote in a statement.
Ujiri said that despite good conversations with Canadian health officials, playing at home in Toronto would not be in the best interest of Canadians navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We commit to continuing our work together, planning for a safe return to play in Toronto,” Ujiri wrote, adding that, “For now, I’ll ask you to cheer for us from afar.”
Sports Illustrated confirmed that the Raptors only committed to beginning the season in Tampa and will reassess the COVID-19 situation in the middle of the season.
In an email, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that his group remained hopeful that the Raptors would be able to play their games at home in Toronto, but expressed excitement about helping the team kick of its season at Amalie Arena, where it's still unclear whether or not fans will be allowed to watch in-person.
"Kudos to our community partners for working quickly to make this happen. Our partnership with the Raptors organization is already off to a strong start and our community is focused on serving as a great interim host to them for the duration of their stay in our hometown," Higgins wrote.
In a statement sent to media following the breaking news, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said, "The Toronto Raptors and their fans will not be disappointed here in Tampa Bay."
"Not only do we have the Stanley Cup Champion Lightning, the World Series runner-up Rays and the powerhouse Buccaneers, we’re going to have a chance to watch the magic of the Toronto Raptors play right here in our backyard," Castor wrote. "And although things may look a bit different this season, we look forward to cheering you on. Welcome to the Sunshine State!"
Last week, The Athletic’s Greg Auman reported that the Tampa Bay Sports Commission “would have a strong interest in working to successfully meet and exceed [Toronto’s] expectations as an alternative host” if the 2018-2020 NBA champs cannot play their upcoming season in Canada due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel. According to Bleacher Report, “The Raptors and the NBA would need a special exception in order for players to travel in and out of Canada for games.”
UPDATED: 11/20/20 3:30 p.m. Updated with comment from Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
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This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2020.
