Sanuk wrote:
Ok, I demonstrated some regrettable ignorance on the size of the city. Allow me to amend the 'small-market' mistake with 'large city not high on the list of destinations for elite free-agent talent'.
Toronto and the surrounding area is definitely a large market in terms of population but in reference to the popularity of basketball, you are probably right. It's a massive market for hockey. Basketball has grown leaps and bounds and if you look at recent NBA drafts, Canadians are certainly making their mark but unlike the Maple Leafs, the Raptors and to a lesser extent the Blue Jays have to have winning teams or the fans just aren't that interested.
It's not like the NFL in the U.S whose teams seem to draw fans no matter what (similar to the Leafs). Basketball is growing in terms of interest but I would put Toronto as a small market in terms of fan interest. I think that the Raps are closer to the Jays in support here than you think. The Raptors have always sold out even when they sucked.
Yes, the Leafs own this town but the Raptors are pretty popular too. Winning helps, obviously.
Anyway, if all teams are winning I'd say its still Leafs, Jays, Raptors in that order for fan support. But it's getting closer by the day for 2nd place.
How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?