Toronto Raptors team up with Canadian WNBA stars for Olympic run

The Toronto Raptors, Canada Basketball, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) have joined forces in a groundbreaking collaboration to boost the visibility of Canadian women’s basketball on the global stage leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This innovative initiative, announced on November 1, brings together the Raptors’ iconic imagery prominently featured on the uniforms of Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team, currently ranked fifth in the world, as reported by Gist. Specifically, the team’s shorts will proudly display the Raptors logo during their games in the run-up to the Olympics.

To kick off this partnership, a special girls’ basketball clinic was hosted in Toronto, with players from the Canadian national team acting as guest coaches. Esteemed WNBA stars Kia Nurse, Natalie Achonwa, Bridget Carleton, and Laeticia Amihere were among the attendees, shedding light on the remarkable talent emerging from Canada. Carleton took the opportunity to express her hopes for a WNBA team in Toronto, stating: “I would love to have a WNBA team in Toronto – wouldn’t everybody around here love that? Just wanted it to work out, but the league is still expanding, they’re moving in the right direction, and I think the anticipation around women’s sports in Toronto and Canada is continuing to grow,” said Carleton, according to Myles Dichter of CBC News.

This partnership is set against the backdrop of Canada’s rich basketball tradition, with the sport’s origins traced back to a Canadian inventor over a century ago. The current popularity of women’s basketball in the country was evidenced by the rapid sell-out of Scotiabank Arena’s 19,800 seats for a WNBA exhibition game earlier this May. Moreover, viewership for regular-season WNBA games in Canada has experienced a staggering 95% increase in the past three years.

While MLSE has withdrawn its bid for WNBA expansion, its unwavering commitment to supporting women’s basketball remains steadfast.

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Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.