Toronto Raptors likely to host 2016 NBA All-Star Game

Dec 21, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; The Raptors logo on the head of Toronto Raptors center Amir Johnson (15) against the Orlando Magic at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Although Toronto is a world class city, in terms of the NBA, it’s thought of as a relatively small market, despite the very well backed (financially) ownership group.

That money may have helped the Raptors secure the 2016 NBA All-Star game, this according to the Toronto Sun who anticipates that Toronto will be awarded the game in the very near future:

"Multiple sources told the Toronto Sun Tuesday that the Raptors are on the verge of landing the 2016 NBA all-star weekend.An official announcement is expected shortly that will reveal further details of how one of the sport’s biggest weekends will tie in to the Toronto Raptors’ 20th-anniversary season.Tim Leiweke, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO, made it clear upon taking over the company that landing the prestigious event was one of his early goals.“Clearly the 2016 all-star game is a flag in the sand that we planted with the NBA. It is a must have in my opinion and it will be the centre piece of how we rebrand this,” Leiweke said in May."

Soon to be NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who’ll be taking over for David Stern right around the All-Star break was recently in town to examine if Toronto and the Raptors could hold the event.

Cleveland was said to be battling for the game as well.

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