- The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies were founded in 1995.
- The NBA expanded north of the border to increase its reach internationally in 1995.
- Toronto’s population and cultural diversity were seen as a great fit for an NBA team.
The Toronto Raptors odds of winning a game won’t always be in their favour, but the support they receive with an entire country behind them could potentially outweigh any disadvantages.
The Raptors’ nightly basketball lines have seen their highs and lows, but there have been many legends who rocked Toronto across their chest.
But why are the Raptors the only Canadian team? Let’s find out.
Why Are the Raptors the NBA’s Only Team in Canada?
The Raptors are the NBA’s only team in Canada because the league decided to move the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis in 2001 due to financial and operational challenges.
The NBA expanded north of the border to increase its reach internationally in 1995.
Toronto’s population and cultural diversity were seen as a great fit for an NBA team.
The city’s strong economy and corporate sponsorship opportunities help offset the Canadian dollar’s weaker spending power than the U.S. dollar.
Ontario’s capital city is also conveniently located near major U.S. cities.
According to Local Memphis, the Grizzlies’ franchise was losing up to $40 million a year while they were in Vancouver. Sports fans of the largest British Columbia city also strongly gravitated towards the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.
How Many People Work for the Toronto Raptors?
According to RealGM, 120 people work for the Raptors.
However, there are likely more people since not all roles, such as social media and ball boys, were listed.
Why Is Toronto Referred to as the 6?
Toronto is referred to as “The 6” because it has six area codes (416, 647, 437, 905, 289, and 365), and two prominent area codes feature the number six.
Six boroughs also merged to create modern Toronto: Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, York, East York, and Old Toronto.
The nickname first gained traction in 2015 when Drake released the album “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.”
The moniker, tied to Toronto’s original 416 area code encompassing the entire city, is now a symbol of T-Dot’s identity and culture.
What Was the Old Name of the Toronto Raptors?
The current Toronto NBA franchise did not have an old name before the Raptors.
According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, names such as the Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Scorpions, T-Rex, Tarantulas, and Terriers were considered before the organization went with the Raptors.
The Raptors’ name was likely influenced by the popularity of Jurassic Park (1993).
What Team Did the Toronto Raptors Used to Be?
The Raptors did not form from another team, but Toronto had an NBA team during the 1946-47 season before folding after just one season.
The team was the Toronto Huskies, who hosted the NBA’s first game on Nov. 1, 1946.
