City gunning to host NBA All-Star game



By*JENNIFER LEWINGTON
CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF



UPDATED AT 3:14 PM EDT
Tuesday, Aug 3, 2004


It's not a slam-dunk yet, but Toronto is stepping up its bid to play host to the National Basketball Association's All-Star game in 2008.

Last Friday, the board of Exhibition Place, a city agency, approved reserving space and offering a price discount at its National Trade Centre, the proposed site for some of the off-court hoopla associated with the annual event.


"We are one step closer to sinking a basket for the NBA All-Star game," declared councillor Brian Ashton, chairman of the city's economic development committee.


The game attracts thousands of out-of-town fans to an event, slated for February 13-18, 2008, that typically pumps an estimated $50-million to $70-million into the local host economy. As a result, says Mr. Ashton, the city and the provincial government are keen to get the nod from the NBA.


Toronto, the site of all-star games for Major League Baseball in 1991 and the National Hockey League in 2000, is in the running against three other, unnamed cities for the basketball honours.


Victory is far from assured, with a decision expected by February, 2005. Among the selection criteria, says NBA spokesman Brian Flinn, is the availability of 5,000 four- and five-star hotel rooms, a state-of-the-art venue for the game itself and any special attractions offered to visitors.


An all-star game costs about $3-million, including days of community events and off-court activities for local and out-of-town fans, with the NBA in control of ticket sales.


The local team sponsor typically does not make money on the event, says a spokesman for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., which is why his organization is seeking help from the city and the province before making a final pitch to the NBA this fall.


"We'll have to tell them [the NBA] about financial commitments before proceeding," said Robert Hunter, senior vice-president and general manager for Maple Leaf Sports, which owns the Toronto Raptors and the Leafs hockey franchise.


"I'm excited the city has come to the table," he said, citing last week's decision by Exhibition Place. "Whether it's enough to make it [a bid] work, we will have to evaluate."


Exhibition Place officials declined to put a dollar value on the offer, but it amounts to a discount of 30 per cent from the standard rental rate for up to one million square feet of space at the National Trade Centre.


Meanwhile, there is no word yet on what financial or other support, if any, will come from Queen's Park.


"We think it's a good idea," said David Oved, a spokesman for Ontario Tourism Minister Jim Bradley. "But there's been no decision on a financial role."

i think toronto should be the front runner, because its never been hosted in a canadian city.

Yes, Toronto has never before ran for the all-star game because the team actually loses money if they host it....so hopefully the city can pitch in. We have to be the frontrunner for this contest because our arena is still one of the best in the league, we have one of the best attendance records despite the horrible on court team, and we set the record for the highest attended NBA sanctioned charity game. And even though the LEafs are way out in front in popularity, the Raptors are right there with the leafs in popularity with people 21 and under according to demographic studies.

And even though the LEafs are way out in front in popularity, the Raptors are right there with the leafs in popularity with people 21 and under according to demographic studies.

you serious, that’s wicked, hockey will always have huge draw good to see other sports now growing, hopefully will get an nfl and mls teams now.

as for nba all star that is probably next to the super bowl in its festivities and draw for a weekend thing. that would be wicked, it would defiantly create greater interest in the game, and validate the raptors.

It probably doesn't help Toronto's Cause that the Raptors have missed the playoffs the last 2 years and Vince's star is certainly tarnished and he's thinking of leaving.... if we were considering the All-Star game two or three years ago, there was certainly a lot more momentum behind the team.

That being said it would be great for Toronto and for basketball in the city.

hopefully by 2008, our team will be contenders at least!

Yes, Toronto has never before ran for the all-star game because the team actually loses money if they host it....so hopefully the city can pitch in. We have to be the frontrunner for this contest because our arena is still one of the best in the league, we have one of the best attendance records despite the horrible on court team, and we set the record for the highest attended NBA sanctioned charity game. And even though the LEafs are way out in front in popularity, the Raptors are right there with the leafs in popularity with people 21 and under according to demographic studies.

Interesting - I wasn't aware that the Raptors were that popular with the younger generation.

In any case, Toronto certainly would benefit from this event, being a team that has sucked in the last 2 years but as a long term investment the team should concentrate more on buying quality players rather than depend on the soon to lessen Vinsanity hype for marketability.

Ontario to help fund NBA all-star game

By Erin Pooley

UPDATED AT 12:25 PM EDT Friday, Aug 13, 2004

Advertisement

The Ontario government will announce a $500,000 funding commitment today to help bring the National Basketball Association's all-star game to Toronto in 2008. Organizers say the nine-day event, slated for Feb. 10 to 18, will generate $60-million in the city.

The board of Exhibition Place, a city agency, has also pitched in to bring the event to Toronto by reserving space and offering a price discount at its National Trade Centre, the proposed site for some off-court activities.



© 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.

has there been anymore news about Toronto's All-star bid?
As much as the NBA has gone through turmoil this year, it seems it's the fastest growing sport in the world right now.. in terms of television deals.
Also, depending how well the Raptors will be by '08 (Chris Bosh is the MAN!!), the residuals for the city will be positive if Toronto gets this.

I would rather see the city support this than a world's fair. We'll have the world's best ballers in Toronto...
US vs World All Stars??

Garnett, Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Melo, Kidd, Duncan, Shaq, WINCE Carter...
vs
Nash, Magloire, Yao, Ginobilli, Gasol, Parker, Kirleinko, Nene...

Now that's an Expo...

Ok...I'm a bit confused...how does a basketball game with 20,000 spectators morph into a 9 day "event"...and how does that generate $60 million dollars????






KGB

All the hotel, restaurant, tourist revenue from the people coming into Toronto for the all-star game. Since some people might be coming from far away, they'd be staying long. Nine days is quite long, but they'll have shot contests, fan forums, kids' activities, etc.

Yeah 9 days seems alittle long, isnt it basically a weekend festival of sorts.

"All the hotel, restaurant, tourist revenue from the people coming into Toronto for the all-star game."


But how many people out of the total 20,000 seats at the game are from out of town? Even if it were 5,000 (which seems high), how can 5000 people drop $60 million...that's $12,000 each...I don't think so.

5,000 people is nothing...it's a spit in the bucket in terms of how many out-of-towners there are on any given day.

I'm not agaisnt it...the more fun the better...I just don't see it as amounting to much overall...maybe just some tv lip service.






KGB

"All the hotel, restaurant, tourist revenue from the people coming into Toronto for the all-star game."


But how many people out of the total 20,000 seats at the game are from out of town? Even if it were 5,000 (which seems high), how can 5000 people drop $60 million...that's $12,000 each...I don't think so.

5,000 people is nothing...it's a spit in the bucket in terms of how many out-of-towners there are on any given day.

I'm not agaisnt it...the more fun the better...I just don't see it as amounting to much overall...maybe just some tv lip service.KGB

A lot of other people still come........because their are so many events going on, its not a must for yougo to the game to enjoy the weekend.

There are several opportunities to meet the all-stars, and other NBA players at various events. The NBA community does a lot of PR, by visiting hospitals, making large donations, hosting fundraising dinners, ect.

You also got the rookie sophomore-rookie game, the skills competition event.

And it also attracts a bunch of celebs.

And there are shit loads of after parties.

A lot of players bring their families.

Media day, with media coming from all over the world to cover the event.

Some NBA legends are their promoting the game.

A lot of interactive entertainment is usually set up during the four day event.


Its like the super bowl to a lesser extent, where the main event isn’t necessary the big draw.

I remember going to the MLB fanfest when Toronto had the baseball all star game in 1992....it was fantastic and the crowds were ENORMOUS. I would love to go to the NBA fanfest if we get the all star game....I heard it's the best of the four sports.

A lot of other people still come........because their are so many events going on, its not a must for yougo to the game to enjoy the weekend.

There are several opportunities to meet the all-stars, and other NBA players at various events. The NBA community does a lot of PR, by visiting hospitals, making large donations, hosting fundraising dinners, ect.

You also got the rookie sophomore-rookie game, the skills competition event.

And it also attracts a bunch of celebs.

And there are shit loads of after parties.

A lot of players bring their families.

Media day, with media coming from all over the world to cover the event.

Some NBA legends are their promoting the game.

A lot of interactive entertainment is usually set up during the four day event.


Its like the super bowl to a lesser extent, where the main event isn’t necessary the big draw.


Exactly. It's far more than just a single game. Don't forget the ever popular dunk contest.

No doubt,
The NBA and affiliates embrace the host city for the days leading to the all-star weekend.

Include that in Toronto basketball is accepted by the younger generation with as much passion as the older generations before them with hockey. Toronto will always be a hockey city, but people tend to forget that the first ever NBA game was played here in Toronto .. @ Maple Leaf Gardens 50 yrs ago.

Not that it matters, but TO hosted the '91 All-star game. When the Jays were awesome. Don't forget all the free advertising the city gets on TV all around the world

Raptors out of running for All-Star game
Team will apply to host in 2011 instead of 2008
The Associated Press
Updated: 5:50 p.m. ET April 19, 2005


TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors withdrew their application to host the 2008 All-Star game on Tuesday and will submit an application to host the event in 2011.

The team cited a timing conflict involving the 2008 game and the construction schedule for Maple Leaf Square, a new entertainment complex adjacent to Air Canada Centre that is expected to be completed in 2009.

The complex will include a boutique hotel, two restaurants, sports-themed retail outlets, an entertainment club and a media center, along with two residential condominium towers.

“Although we’re disappointed about deferring our application, we feel that we’ll be in a much better position to host this major worldwide event after the completion of Maple Leaf Square,” said Bob Hunter, executive vice president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

MLSE really seems to be taking pride in the is project. It seems they really want people to come down and see Maple Leaf Sqaure when it gets finished. This is really a kick in the pants to who ever started that does Toronto have enough public squares thread.