1 of 1- paterson1
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Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
CBC Sports has reported that Toronto will be the 14th city to join the Woman's National Basketball Association. The new team will be headed up by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum. From CBC Sports..
- YMCA
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
Larry has done a lot for sports in Toronto. Good on him!
I think the current hype on the WNBA is going to die out. There aren't many Caitlin Clarks around. I'd put this in the Toronto Rock category. They're not exactly big news these days.
Same with the women's hockey league, anyone want to bet they don't last five years?
When I was in junior high, they used to give out free Marlies tickets, and I think that's the only way, after the hype dies down, these women's leagues can put bums in seats.
Not saying this is good, just that it's reality.
- Walter
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
Tanenbaum must need another tax write-off.
- mace
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
I have extremely limited interest in the NBA. Far far less interest in the WNBA. I couldn't tell you how many teams are in the WNBA. In fact I couldn't even name one team. Safe bet, I won't be watching.
- YMCA
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
mace wrote:
I couldn't tell you how many teams are in the WNBA........ I won't be watching.
Same for me, and I'm a former Raptors season ticket holder.
But the arrival of Caitlin Clark from college is going to cause a huge upsurge in interest, similar to when LeBron James entered the NBA. She really is a phenomenon.
- RadioActive
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
So who gets the rights? Sportsnet? TSN? Or both?
- paterson1
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
So who gets the rights? Sportsnet? TSN? Or both?
Sportsnet and TSN already carry WNBA games, so likely a they would be involved, CBC possibly. It is Tananbaum's company behind the deal and not Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
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Thread Starter- YMCA
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
It's perfect timing. The Brittney Griner story, plus Caitlin Clark, put them front & centre. But it will die out. Remenber when Eric Lindros was a big deal?
Interest in individual players is not enough to keep a league alive. The WNBA would have disappeared a long time ago without the support of the NBA.
- dieter
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Re: Toronto Awarded 14th WNBA Expansion Franchise
I doubt Larry Tannenbaum and the WNBA brass are remotely concerned at the lack of interest from many of those commenting here. We are about as far as possible from being the WNBA's target audience. This will be terrific for basketball in Canada.