According to sources, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment and the Toronto Raptors are in the process of putting in a bid to bring the 2016 NBA All-Star game to Toronto.
This would mark the first time the game would be played outside of the United States. The Raptors have not had a player represent them in the game since Chris Bosh in 2010 (DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross have participated in dunk contests).
League officials would have to assess the feasibility of bringing such a large event to Toronto, including assessment of venues and accommodation around the city.
With the 2014 event scheduled to be played in New Orleans and the 2015 event either in Brooklyn or New York, Toronto has a great chance of bringing the weekend north of the border for the first time in franchise history.
As a fan of the sport, I think this would be huge for Raptors basketball, Canada Basketball and the city of Toronto itself. It is not every day that the biggest names in sports come to town, especially for an annual marquee event like the All-Star game.
Keep checking Raptors Cage for updates on the bid.
Image source: Scott Halleran
