The Toronto Raptors have been denied permission to start the 2020-21 NBA season playing in Canada. They will begin the year in Tampa, Florida. Franchise President Masai Ujuri said the decision came from a combination of an “urgent need” to determine where the team would play and the “current public health crisis facing Canadians” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NBA season will begin on December 22nd, a decision finalized just weeks ago.
The news was echoed by multiple media members:
AP source: The NBA and the Raptors have been denied to play In Canada.