The Toronto Raptors will begin the 2020-21 NBA season in Tampa, Florida, the team said in a statement Friday.
The Raptors were unable to reach an agreement with the captain’s government about plans to play domestic games at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena amid a coronavirus epidemic. Instead the team will play its games at the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning home Amelie Arena.
An official familiar with the government’s decision told the Associated Press on Friday that there were a lot of Covid-19s circulating in the United States that did not necessarily allow border travel.
“The Raptors worked with public health officials at the local, provincial and federal levels to secure a plan that would allow us to play the 2020-21 season on home soil and on the home court at Scotibank Arena,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. In a statement. “These conversations were fruitful, and we received strong support for the protocol we put forward.
“Ultimately, given the current public health situation facing Canadians, along with the need to determine where we will play, we will begin the 2020-21 season in Tampa, Florida.”
The Raptors and the NBA need a waiver of the requirement that if someone wants to enter Canada for unavoidable reasons they should be separated for 14 days. The U.S.-Canada border is closed for exclusive travel.
The Canadian government was reviewing the NBA and Raptors proposal. The team said they need to know this week with a training camp of less than two weeks.
The decision is likely to be reviewed at some point next year, the official told the Associated Press.
Stanley Cup champion Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has welcomed his new neighbors on Twitter with a play on the NBA team’s familiar slogan.
“We South” 😂 https://t.co/hVHlJKItrh
– Steven Stemcos (RealStamcos91) November 20, 2020
Ujiri said the Raptors would continue to work with the Canadian government on a “safe return” plan to play in Toronto.
“We will stay away from our home and our fans from now on,” Ujiri said in a statement. “Absence makes the heart more dear. I’m not sure it’s possible for us – we love Toronto and Canada, and we know we have our best fans in the NBA. Right now, I’ll tell you to cheer.” We are far away, and we will all look forward to that day together. “
The Canadian federal government rejected a request by Major League Baseball’s Blue Jays to play in Toronto this year because health officials did not believe it was safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States.
Blue who instead play their home games in Buffalo, New York this season.
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
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