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Ex-Ref
Joined: 04 Oct 2009
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 Posted: 11/03/21 11:05 pm ::: WNBA to Canada? |
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Drake says he wants a team in Toronto.
| Quote: |
| The musician took to Instagram stories on Wednesday to post that his hometown in Ontario should be the next home to a franchise in the WNBA. Especially after the Toronto Raptors won the NBA title in 2019, the thirst for the game has only continued to grow around the nation. |
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2021/11/03/drake-wants-a-wnba-team-in-canada-he-has-what-it-takes-to-make-it-happen/119093394/
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 11/03/21 11:42 pm ::: |
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| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
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| Posted: 11/04/21 1:59 am ::: |
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| Ex-Ref wrote: |
| Drake says he wants a team in Toronto. |
Not only that, but he also posted a pic of himself with the one, the only: Hollywood Liz. Goddamnit, sometimes ya just really love to see her live up to the moniker, y'know?
I mean, man – this one shoutout got multiple articles written about it, including from ESPN.
And if the League had any brains when it comes to their social media marketing – any, just a little, in any way – they'd find a way to acknowledge Drake saying this, in a tweet, or an IG story addition – something. It doesn't even have to be anything clever, such as recognizing that he has more than enough net worth to operate several teams by himself. Doesn't have to be something like that – just something, anything. Because love him or hate him, it's fucking DRAKE. A surprise shout-out like this really does not come along that often, especially now that we're firmly in the offseason, I— ugh.
@ This League: I'm just saying you could do better. 
| awhom111 wrote: |
| There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
On a related note, I was today years old when I learned of the CEBL's existence. Although maybe I had known of its existence previously since I have known about, and maybe even inadvertently watched TBT? Weird to learn about modern-day professional men's basketball stuff all because of a brief, unexpected Drake-WNBA crossover occurrence.
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osubeavers
Joined: 07 Jan 2017
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| Posted: 11/04/21 4:35 pm ::: |
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| awhom111 wrote: |
| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
Agreed. If Australia with a population of 25.7 million, can support a pro league, Canada with a population of 38 million should be able to as well. Then again, Australia doesn't have to compete with Curling.
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
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| Posted: 11/04/21 5:59 pm ::: |
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Yes we really need Drake mooning over Skylar Diggins all summer
OTPH, the Toronto Hotline is a fine team name
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
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| Posted: 11/04/21 6:44 pm ::: |
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| osubeavers wrote: |
| awhom111 wrote: |
| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
Agreed. If Australia with a population of 25.7 million, can support a pro league, Canada with a population of 38 million should be able to as well. Then again, Australia doesn't have to compete with Curling. |
I think the geographic isolation and home-grown talent is a big reason for that. How competitive would a CWNBA be if all the best players are in the W or in Europe? It would endlessly suffer from comparison to the W.
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 11/04/21 11:50 pm ::: |
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| Stormeo wrote: |
| Ex-Ref wrote: |
| Drake says he wants a team in Toronto. |
Not only that, but he also posted a pic of himself with the one, the only: Hollywood Liz. Goddamnit, sometimes ya just really love to see her live up to the moniker, y'know?
I mean, man – this one shoutout got multiple articles written about it, including from ESPN.
And if the League had any brains when it comes to their social media marketing – any, just a little, in any way – they'd find a way to acknowledge Drake saying this, in a tweet, or an IG story addition – something. It doesn't even have to be anything clever, such as recognizing that he has more than enough net worth to operate several teams by himself. Doesn't have to be something like that – just something, anything. Because love him or hate him, it's fucking DRAKE. A surprise shout-out like this really does not come along that often, especially now that we're firmly in the offseason, I— ugh.
@ This League: I'm just saying you could do better.
| awhom111 wrote: |
| There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
On a related note, I was today years old when I learned of the CEBL's existence. Although maybe I had known of its existence previously since I have known about, and maybe even inadvertently watched TBT? Weird to learn about modern-day professional men's basketball stuff all because of a brief, unexpected Drake-WNBA crossover occurrence. |
Were you aware of the existence of NBL Canada (at least for now until the CEBL finishes grinding them into dust)? The CEBL does seem to have viable model for existing and it will be interesting seeing what kind of roster the Edmonton Stingers can put together for their continental foray.
| osubeavers wrote: |
| awhom111 wrote: |
| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
Agreed. If Australia with a population of 25.7 million, can support a pro league, Canada with a population of 38 million should be able to as well. Then again, Australia doesn't have to compete with Curling. |
I usually use Hungary as an example given their sub-10 million population. There are at least some concerns about how Australia's league will do in the near future, especially now that it can be argued that basketball is only the fourth most popular team sport on the women's side. Even if it's not the highest level league overall, it just seems like it would be nice to have a Canadian league that scales to the country in whatever sport (besides the CFL). They could have multiple teams in the GTA along with a number of single-team markets. |
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Stormeo
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Youth Coach
Joined: 23 Mar 2008
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| Posted: 11/05/21 6:11 am ::: |
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| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
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| Posted: 11/05/21 8:43 am ::: |
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| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
The Raptors, Blue Jays, Canadiens, and a dozen other pro teams in US-based leagues have managed it.
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Queenie
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
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| Posted: 11/05/21 12:58 pm ::: |
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| FrozenLVFan wrote: |
| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
The Raptors, Blue Jays, Canadiens, and a dozen other pro teams in US-based leagues have managed it. |
Yes, but on the other hand, a) they have chartered flights b) we've seen WNBA travel arrangements
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hyperetic
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
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| Posted: 11/05/21 1:52 pm ::: |
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| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
That was the first thought that came to my mind also... |
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
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| Posted: 11/05/21 2:56 pm ::: |
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| I don't know if they e actually done any international travel yet but I know the NWHL went international recently. Should be interesting if they can pull off travel over the boarder.
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hyperetic
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| Posted: 11/05/21 3:41 pm ::: |
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| I'd kinda really like to be a fly on the wall in the boardroom of the W to hear what league officials and owners are truly saying about expansion. All this conjecture, hyperbole, and rumors is becoming monotonous. |
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Libra_Girl
Joined: 12 Jul 2013
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| Posted: 11/06/21 10:15 pm ::: |
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| Queenie wrote: |
| FrozenLVFan wrote: |
| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
The Raptors, Blue Jays, Canadiens, and a dozen other pro teams in US-based leagues have managed it. |
Yes, but on the other hand, a) they have chartered flights b) we've seen WNBA travel arrangements |
Major League Soccer 3 Canadian Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal teams & they travel commercial with the exception of a few granted Charter trips in their new CBA. If they can make it work with a similar league I don’t see why the Wnba can’t. A Toronto team will closer to the East coast teams than a West coast team. Flight time from Toronto to NY, Connecticut, Chicago, Indiana, Minny is 1-2 hours flight. Shoot a Toronto team will be able to get to Atlanta in 3 hours.
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
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| Posted: 11/07/21 9:58 am ::: |
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| Libra_Girl wrote: |
| Queenie wrote: |
| FrozenLVFan wrote: |
| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
The Raptors, Blue Jays, Canadiens, and a dozen other pro teams in US-based leagues have managed it. |
Yes, but on the other hand, a) they have chartered flights b) we've seen WNBA travel arrangements |
Major League Soccer 3 Canadian Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal teams & they travel commercial with the exception of a few granted Charter trips in their new CBA. If they can make it work with a similar league I don’t see why the Wnba can’t. A Toronto team will closer to the East coast teams than a West coast team. Flight time from Toronto to NY, Connecticut, Chicago, Indiana, Minny is 1-2 hours flight. Shoot a Toronto team will be able to get to Atlanta in 3 hours. |
The AHL uses commercial flights too.
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Youth Coach
Joined: 23 Mar 2008
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| Posted: 11/07/21 10:12 am ::: |
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| Queenie wrote: |
| FrozenLVFan wrote: |
| Youth Coach wrote: |
| The WNBA can barely figure out domestic travel arrangements, now you want to add in customs too? |
The Raptors, Blue Jays, Canadiens, and a dozen other pro teams in US-based leagues have managed it. |
Yes, but on the other hand, a) they have chartered flights b) we've seen WNBA travel arrangements |
My point exactly. |
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
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| Posted: 11/07/21 10:59 am ::: |
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| I wonder how the NWHL will handle international trave now that they have Toronto.
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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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| Posted: 11/07/21 12:56 pm ::: |
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| awhom111 wrote: |
| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
Forced? Really? Toronto is an obvious major sports market. If there were investors ready to go, why should they be denied? Why couldn't Canadians do both?
A Canada-only league would probably be a low-budget minor or semi-pro league. If you think the travel and living conditions in the WNBA aren't good enough, what would this be like?
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Bob Lamm
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 11/07/21 5:55 pm ::: |
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| craigmont wrote: |
| awhom111 wrote: |
| As with the NWSL, I am opposed. There's no inherent reason that Canada cannot have their own professional league, especially if they run opposite to the WNBA season. It would be nice if they were forced to do that instead of waiting for the American league to expand. |
Forced? Really? Toronto is an obvious major sports market. If there were investors ready to go, why should they be denied? Why couldn't Canadians do both?
A Canada-only league would probably be a low-budget minor or semi-pro league. If you think the travel and living conditions in the WNBA aren't good enough, what would this be like? |
MLS has clearly shown why they can't do both. A Canada-only league started play in 2019, but is limited by the existence of the three teams in MLS and there was a conflict about where Ottawa could play. As long as people think that the American league could step in at any time, it would be hard for a Canada-only league to get off the ground. |
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toad455
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| Posted: 11/07/21 7:45 pm ::: |
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| johnjohnW wrote: |
| I wonder how the NWHL will handle international trave now that they have Toronto. |
And supposedly Montreal in 2022-23.
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StevenHW
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hyperetic
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| Posted: 11/19/21 1:19 am ::: |
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| StevenHW wrote: |
I don't know how much money Drake has, but I would think that if he really wanted to have a WNBA franchise in Toronto, he could afford to start one himself (and bring in additional investors as part of an ownership group, a la Magic Johnson with the Sparks)!  |
Is it just money? Seems to me the W is pickier than that. Haven't deep pockets tried to get teams before and not got them? |
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johnjohnW
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| Posted: 11/19/21 7:59 am ::: |
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I think it's more than just deep pockets. It's the kind of money.
Musicians are very rich but it's not the same kind of wealth and assets you see with most sports owners. Does Drake have the money? Probably. Could his wealth sustain the possible losses? Maybe. Is his wealth stable enough to oversee a team for 25 years? Would his interest sustain over that time frame? Eh. I don't know.
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Maybe I had heard about them once in some obscure mention years ago, but if I did, I certainly can't recall the exact moment. I see that it's barely ten years old, and it only has six teams left – of which two are "on hiatus" for the '21-'22 season?? (whatever tf 
