toronto raptors

Toronto Raptors could play next season in Louisville if border still closed

With the NBA hoping to hold games in teams' respective arenas rather than in one single bubble next season, there lies the question about what the Raptors will do if the Canadian-U.S. border closure keeps getting extended, preventing other teams from coming to Toronto to play at Scotiabank Arena.

The rules restricting cross-country movement, implemented back in March, were recently extended until at least Nov. 21, and some experts believe they could last well into 2021.

With the next NBA season slated to start in January sans-bubble, the Raptors may have to find somewhere south of the border to call home — and it looks like Louisville, Kentucky's KFC Yum! Center is on the table.

The facility is fully NBA-ready, the city itself having been trying to get an NBA team of its own for decades. And, it is a very realistic possibility for Toronto home games, sources allegedly told Yahoo Sports yesterday.

Apparently, per the outlet, former NBAer and businessman Junior Bridgeman reached out to the league to propose the idea, though the validity of that news has been called into question.

The team may also end up sharing a current NBA market, the sources said, or set up temporary shop in another U.S. city such as Seattle.

A lot of details about the upcoming season are definitely still up in the air right now and only in the early stages of being sorted out, including whether fans will be able to attend games in-person.

There may be more details by Friday, when an NBA Board of Governors call is set to take place.

Lead photo by

@raptors


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Runner turns Toronto map into a giant cartoon animation

Here's how to get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Toronto

William Nylander models for new Toronto Maple Leafs collab with OVO

Toronto's free outdoor skating rinks are about to open for the season

Toronto Raptor pulled over by police before attending party at nightclub

Andre 3000 just performed a set wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey

Ex-Toronto Raptor OG Anunoby had hilarious encounter with Anne Hathaway

Toronto Blue Jays fans seem annoyed team is posting about Taylor Swift