MyNameIsJonas
Well-known member
Imagine that, Lebron is fine
OT: The Official Toronto Raptors Thread
- Thread starter hockeylover
- Start date
Spending is fine but it better be the right time or your team is a cap mess like many franchises
We won a title because the basketball gods gave us Kawai , that’s it.
We would still be a “ shit we have gone so far with DD and Kyle” type of roster without him
It’s nice that Masai wants another chip but this roster isn’t winning until he pulls another rabbit out of his ass
There is no logic going over the luxury when your title hopes are with Pascal and Fred being your leaders
Pwner
Well-known member
I don't see anything in recent MLSE history (post-Leiweke) that suggest MLSE doesn't spend money.
They built brand spanking new practice facilities (Leafs, Raps, and TFC - in fact Rogers did the same with the Jays), they have brought in highly respected Presidents for their 4 teams (we can quibble about Manning but he was a top MLS GM, and they have brought back Mr. Argo himself: Pinball).
They spend on Players: Leafs are a capped team, Raps continually go up to the Luxury Tax (and exceed when they need too), TFC brings in 6mil players ALL the time (I think they have like 3 of the top 10 salaried players in MLS). The Argos (like anyone cares.... I DO!) have gone on a huge FA spending spree..
I just don't see the "Cheap MLSE" narrative. We are all numb from the Stavros, Teachers Pension Plan days. These are not those days.
And it is not all Altruistic, for the love of the game, stuff either. I believe they have a game plan to be a "Brand" and International Sporting Giant. That is where the money is gonna be in 50 years, you just have to build up to that first.
North American Soccer (Football) has tones of growth potential, and to setup TFC as the "Bayern Munich/Man U/Man City/Juventus" of Canada would be a cash cow. More European players want to go to North America to escape the glare of celebrity in Europe. Once teams have an 80 mil pay role, just wait until each continents Champions League winners play the each other.
Same with the Raptors. They have a huge opportunity to be the "Team of Africa", the "Team of China" etc. But you have to be good to get that big, and that includes spending A LOT money to make money.
They built brand spanking new practice facilities (Leafs, Raps, and TFC - in fact Rogers did the same with the Jays), they have brought in highly respected Presidents for their 4 teams (we can quibble about Manning but he was a top MLS GM, and they have brought back Mr. Argo himself: Pinball).
They spend on Players: Leafs are a capped team, Raps continually go up to the Luxury Tax (and exceed when they need too), TFC brings in 6mil players ALL the time (I think they have like 3 of the top 10 salaried players in MLS). The Argos (like anyone cares.... I DO!) have gone on a huge FA spending spree..
I just don't see the "Cheap MLSE" narrative. We are all numb from the Stavros, Teachers Pension Plan days. These are not those days.
And it is not all Altruistic, for the love of the game, stuff either. I believe they have a game plan to be a "Brand" and International Sporting Giant. That is where the money is gonna be in 50 years, you just have to build up to that first.
North American Soccer (Football) has tones of growth potential, and to setup TFC as the "Bayern Munich/Man U/Man City/Juventus" of Canada would be a cash cow. More European players want to go to North America to escape the glare of celebrity in Europe. Once teams have an 80 mil pay role, just wait until each continents Champions League winners play the each other.
Same with the Raptors. They have a huge opportunity to be the "Team of Africa", the "Team of China" etc. But you have to be good to get that big, and that includes spending A LOT money to make money.
The Raps to be the team of China + will be a monumental task that money can’t fix
Pwner
Well-known member
Right, but to get there you have to win and spend money. A LOT of money. Plus get some Superstars along the way.
Just saying, if they want to get that big, holding the purse strings doesn't get them there, and ones fooling themselves if that isn't what Masai's long term vision is.
They will spend when warranted
This team right now is basically a one and done playoff team .....good but not elite
Going into the luxury with no superstar is pointless now
His vision can be whatever he wants , pull another Kawai miracle or wait for a drafted stud to emerge
Right now we are the DD/KYLE lead team ......missing the stud
Also the NBA will never put our brand ahead of the USA teams
We barely got network exposure after winning a title
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
I'd focus on Europe and Africa instead of China. Raptors are already a top 10 team in terms of European popularity and for obvious reasons are one of the most popular in Africa. Manchester United didn't become the most popular European team in Asia by waiting for FA's to give them a push, they started touring Asia and playing matches there. Likewise, the Raptors don't need to wait for the NBA or US networks (that have negligible reach outside of the US) to give them a push. It's never been easier to build a brand than it is today, fans in Lagos don't give a fuck if Adam Silver wants you to be a Laker fan, they'll connect with the team they have access to and feel a connection to.
And going into the luxury tax is never pointless if you're a top half of the playoff picture club (which the Raptors have been for years now). People remember the DD/Lowry years a little bit too grimly. We were a 55-60 win team that couldn't beat Lebron but were legitimately competing for the East every fucking year. If we go back to that level of contending while waiting to develop or trade for another top 5 player again, so be it. Those were good years. Especially if MLSE makes the money Masai wants available, and we can chase impact deadline deals (Maybe we actually manage to beat Lebron one of those years if it's Lowry/DD/XXXXX as a trio instead of just Lowry/DD as a duo?).
MLSE is a cash machine, the Raptors are a massive cash machine with potential that dwarfs the Leafs. Be aggressive and go get it. Raptors are worth 2.15 Billion *USD* currently, and MLSE bought them in 1998 for 197 million in 1998. They've 11 bagged their investment on the club and are likely to see significant continued growth over the next 10-20 years. Don't be fucking cheap.
And going into the luxury tax is never pointless if you're a top half of the playoff picture club (which the Raptors have been for years now). People remember the DD/Lowry years a little bit too grimly. We were a 55-60 win team that couldn't beat Lebron but were legitimately competing for the East every fucking year. If we go back to that level of contending while waiting to develop or trade for another top 5 player again, so be it. Those were good years. Especially if MLSE makes the money Masai wants available, and we can chase impact deadline deals (Maybe we actually manage to beat Lebron one of those years if it's Lowry/DD/XXXXX as a trio instead of just Lowry/DD as a duo?).
MLSE is a cash machine, the Raptors are a massive cash machine with potential that dwarfs the Leafs. Be aggressive and go get it. Raptors are worth 2.15 Billion *USD* currently, and MLSE bought them in 1998 for 197 million in 1998. They've 11 bagged their investment on the club and are likely to see significant continued growth over the next 10-20 years. Don't be fucking cheap.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
Not chasing the popular American clubs in China also provides less exposure to China's human rights record. Lebron's Hong Kong silence (and backroom anger at Morey's right and proper stance on the matter) harmed a very real and growing reputation as a powerful voice on human rights. It was his "Republicans buy shoes too" moment that will keep him from achieving the type of Ali status that he was probably capable of curating.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
Shut up Nav
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
Seriously though, 100%. We should be finding ways to make inroads (tours, social media content in local languages, etc, etc, etc) in every basketball market that isn't China. Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia. I think people underestimate how much of a benefit not being an American franchise can be in 2021. International attitudes towards America have shifted pretty significantly over the last 20 years.
Raptors are in a similar but better position the Jays are in. Their market is a nation of 37 million. That nation is one of the most popular and likeable nations in the world according to national polling (#1 in a bunch of rankings). Leverage that shit internationally. Stop trying to make network execs who find Toronto less important to them than D & E tier american cities, give a shit about our existence. Find ways to get Euro, African and non Chinese asian eyeballs on our content.
Raptors are in a similar but better position the Jays are in. Their market is a nation of 37 million. That nation is one of the most popular and likeable nations in the world according to national polling (#1 in a bunch of rankings). Leverage that shit internationally. Stop trying to make network execs who find Toronto less important to them than D & E tier american cities, give a shit about our existence. Find ways to get Euro, African and non Chinese asian eyeballs on our content.