The Toronto Raptors will play the upcoming NBA season in Tampa Bay due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, says President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri said the organization worked with public health officials on all levels to try to allow the team to play at home in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena.
Read more:
Canada reviewing NBA plan for Raptors to play in Toronto amid coronavirus: minister
However due to the ongoing pandemic and the “urgent need” to know where the Raptors will play, Ujiri said the decision was made to play in Tampa Bay, Florida.
“We want to thank all levels of government and their public health officials for their dedication to this process, and for looking after the health of Canadians,” Ujiri said in a statement Friday. “We commit to continuing our work together, planning for a safe return to play in Toronto.
“And as an organization, we remain committed to doing all we can to promote and demonstrate public health measures to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in Canada.”
More to come.