Just in time for the Toronto Raptors’ 20th anniversary, it looks like the NBA is preparing to announce one hell of a present — the 2016 All-Star Game.
Sure, it only took the Blue Jays 14 years to land the MLB All-Star Game and the Leafs have hosted eight gatherings of the NHL’s elite, but, hey, better late than never.
According to a breaking report from the Toronto Sun, multiple sources have confirmed that Toronto has been picked as the 2016 All-Star host. Official confirmation is still pending, but an announcement is expected soon.
“Clearly the 2016 All-Star Game is a flag in the sand with the NBA,” Tim Leiweke, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment told reporters on a conference call in May. “It is a must-have in my opinion. It will be the centrepiece of how we re-brand this. The change is going to be this: Toronto is not bidding on the 2016 All-Star Game. Canada is.”