Accept it, Toronto: You

[Raptorzzs]

Maybe he's from Portland or Oregon...

[cdel00]

It’s time to face up to some truths. As a city, Toronto is not a “small market” by definition. Fine. But the Toronto Raptors are unquestionably a small market franchise within the framework of North American professional sports. (Might as well throw the Blue Jays in there, too.) And you can’t really argue against that.

I figured that by 2009 people would realize that market size is global for almost any city/team/organization/celebrity due to the internet and broadband communication mediums.

*facepalm*

Sorry MR.Douchebag but 1980 wants its marketing concepts back.

[PerfectJab]

It's pretty obvious that's he's just trying to conjure up a reaction. He clearly knows that something like this would create fireworks. He basically tells us he's received backlash before from Toronto fans. The that fact that he says it makes it obvious that he's remembered it and knows what will result from his comments. He's a press troll, an attention grabber.

Realistically, wouldn't say that Toronto is a small market franchise, as there are plenty of teams in smaller markets than Toronto. Off-season boredom for the writer if you ask me.

[Marlowe]

I still remember the Jays and their back to back World Series. One thing those Jays teams proved is that if Toronto has a competitive team they will get the coverage and the players will want to come to play in Toronto. If that this the measure of NBA big market team then Toronto is definitely one or has the potential to be one.

All we need is that winning team.

[Joker]

Just for interest's sake, here are ROAD attendance figures throughout Raptor history. Listed is the road attendance figure and league ranking in brackets, followed by the top three road draws of the season.

It's obvious that star players draw attendance, like Jordan, Shaq, Iverson, and LeBron, even Carter's Raptors (1999-2002). More often than not, those teams were WINNING teams. Exception: 2001-2003 Washington Wizards. The Sacramento Kings were an example of an exciting team to watch and were not led just by one player (or a duo).

Interestingly enough, Dallas was only 22nd in road attendance last year...

1995-1996: 16508 (24) Chicago, Orlando, Lakers
1996-1997: 16560 (19) Chicago, Lakers, New York
1997-1998: 16571 (21) Chicago, Lakers, New York
1998-1999: 15799 (23) Lakers, Philadelphia, New York
1999-2000: 17724 (5) Lakers, New York, Sacramento
2000-2001: 17611 (5) Lakers, Philadelphia, Sacramento
2001-2002: 17200 (8) Lakers, Washington, Philadelphia
2002-2003: 16509 (15) Washington, Lakers, Philadelphia
2003-2004: 16480 (22) Lakers, Cleveland, Minnesota
2004-2005: 16677 (26) Miami, Lakers, Cleveland
2005-2006: 16595 (30) Miami, Lakers, Cleveland
2006-2007: 17347 (24) Miami, Cleveland, Lakers
2007-2008: 16653 (29) Boston, Lakers, Denver
2008-2009: 16785 (28) Lakers, Boston, Cleveland

The 2004-2005 lakers and 2003-2004 cavs didn't make the playoffs, if I recall correctly.

[LLJ]

That list definitely reveals the star-gazing tendencies of fans. Jordan's Wizards, Kobe's Lakers and the most hyped #1 pick ever can definitely stir up interest regardless of quality of team. More often than not they are usually HOF calibre swingmen as well.

[redshortz]

Toronto not a big-market? Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America. People hate to admit that but its true. Chris Bosh doesn't just have an entire city behind him... he has an entire nation behind him what other NBA stars can say that?. Who writes this filth? you poor uneducated soul.