Toronto airport car hire and the Toronto Raptors
What’s red and white, has extra sharp teeth and an affinity for slam dunks? Why, the Toronto Raptors NBA team of course! The Toronto Raptors are the only professional National Basketball team currently in Canada. They compete in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference and host their home games at the Air Canada Centre. While the team struggled during its early seasons, the Raptors are now one of the top Atlantic Division contenders. And you thought dinosaurs were extinct! Catch all the action of an upcoming Raptors game – reserve seats during your upcoming Toronto airport car hire vacation.
The birth of an expansion team
The Toronto Raptors were established on September 30 1993, when the NBA, awarded its 28th franchise to a group of Toronto businessmen. Vancouver was also awarded an expansion at the time, however this team would eventually move to Memphis in 2001. Many Toronto airport car hire travelers may not know this, but the Raptors weren’t the first NBA team to ever play in Canada. During the 1946-47 season, Toronto fielded the nation’s first ever professional basketball squad, the Toronto Huskies. Fans were more than happy to see a team return to the nation, as merchandise sales soared and season tickets became prized possessions.
The biggest names in basketball
The Toronto Raptors have had the privilege of hosting some of the best and brightest stars in the NBA. This started right from their first season, when Damon Stoudamire, a point guard from the University of Arizona, was drafted. Toronto airport car hire travelers may remember than Stoudamire would go on to become the Rookie of the Year during that inaugural year. Marcus Camby was another breakout star, along with Chauncey Billups and Tracy McGrady. But the most famous player to ever wear a Raptors uniform would have to be Vince Carter, a 1998 draft pick. Carter helped lead the Raptors into three post seasons, making it to the Eastern Conference semi-finals in 2001. Today, Toronto airport car hire travelers can catch players like Chris Bosch on the court at the Air Canada Centre.
Let’s hear it for the fans
The Toronto Raptors are one of the most popular sports teams in Canada, a surprising fact considering the nation’s dedication to hockey. The franchise, which is valued at more than $400 million, has its own television station in the nations, and is regularly televised on Canadian sports stations like TSN. Toronto airport car hire travelers enjoy watching games live, thanks to the athleticism of the players and the shenanigans of the team mascot. The team also boasts a Raptors Dance Pak and the 4 Korners Raptors Soundcrew. Planning to catch a game during your upcoming Toronto airport car hire vacation? Then keep your ticket stub – if the raptors score more than 100 points during a home game, you can redeem the stub for a free slice of pizza at an Ontario Pizza Pizza location.
Get your tickets to the game
Toronto airport car hire travelers can order tickets to an upcoming Raptors game online at www.ticketmaster.ca or the official NBA website, www.nba.com. There are really no bad seats in the house, but if you can afford it, TransCanada highly recommends purchase courtside seats. There’s simply no better way to experience a game then from right on the sidelines.
Want to learn more about Canada’s favourite basketball team? Then surf over to the official raptors website at www.raptors.com. The Raptors play an average of 45 home games every season, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch them live. Reserve your tickets today, and prepare for an exciting game during your upcoming Toronto airport car hire vacation.