media policies - NBA.com

FRANCHISE HISTORY
1993
APRIL 23: The National Basketball Association
announces it has received a formal application for
expansion from Professional Basketball Franchise
(Canada), Inc. (PBF), comprised of John I. Bitove of
Bitove Investments, Inc., Allan Slaight of Standard
Broadcasting Limited, Borden Osmak of The Bank of
Nova Scotia, Phil Granovsky of Atlantic Packaging, Ltd.,
and former Ontario Premier David Peterson, who serves
as the group’s Chairperson.
JULY 29: Members of the NBA’s expansion committee
visit Toronto to meet with representatives of PBF.
SEPTEMBER 30: The NBA expansion committee
announces its recommendation that PBF be awarded an
expansion franchise for the 1995-96 season, to become
the 28th team in the NBA and the first expansion franchise
outside of the United States.
1994
MAY 15: The Toronto Raptors Basketball Club Inc.
officially begins the 18-month countdown to its first tipoff
in November 1995 by unveiling its name, logo and
colours (Raptor Red, purple, black and Naismith Silver).
MAY 24: Isiah Thomas is introduced as Vice-President,
Basketball of Toronto Raptors.
DECEMBER 21: Franchise receives 50 per cent deposits
on 15,127 season tickets for 1995-96 season at
SkyDome.
DECEMBER 21: Plans are unveiled for a 22,500-seat
stadium at 40 Bay Street site in downtown Toronto; letter
of intent signed with Canada Post, owners of lakeshorefronting
property.
DECEMBER 23: Raptors Foundation helps Toronto Star
Santa Fund reach $900,000 goal with $51,000 donation
the first official community contribution by NBA team’s
charitable fund-raising umbrella.
NOVEMBER 4: The NBA Board of Governors officially
grants Toronto an NBA expansion franchise under the
ownership of PBF, with John I. Bitove as team president.
1995
FEBRUARY 1: Toronto Raptors unveil official uniforms
at BCE Place in Toronto, with international launch
February 3 at the “Super Show” in Atlanta.
FEBRUARY 24: Toronto Raptors announce naming of
new home as “Air Canada Centre”. Billed as one of the
most significant partnerships of a Canadian sporting
enterprise, the arena will be completed in early 1999.
MAY 16: Raptors sign closing documents to make the
team members in full of the NBA.
MAY 26-28: Raptors hold first free-agent training camp
at Seneca College, Toronto.
TORONTO RAPTORS 2009-10 PRESEASON
JUNE 2: Raptors name Brendan Malone, a veteran of
26 years in the coaching profession including nine years
in the NBA, as the first head coach.
JUNE 16: Following a coin toss held at the NBA office in
New York with representatives of the Toronto Raptors
and Vancouver Grizzlies on hand, Raptors will pick
seventh in the 1995 NBA Draft and first in the 1995 NBA
Expansion Draft.
JUNE 24: B.J. Armstrong of the Chicago Bulls headlines
a roster of 14 players selected by the Toronto Raptors in
the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft.
JUNE 28: Raptors pick 5-foot-10 point guard Damon
Stoudamire of the University of Arizona seventh in the
1995 NBA Draft first round, followed by Jimmy King of
the University of Michigan in the second round. Staged
at SkyDome, this is the first time the draft was held outside
of the United States and drew a record crowd of 21,168.
OCTOBER 6-12: Toronto Raptors hold their first-ever
training camp at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.
OCTOBER 14: The Raptors play their first preseason
game at the Halifax Metro Centre, defeating the
Philadelphia 76ers, 120-107. Toronto will play all eight of
its preseason contests in Canada, four in Toronto as well
as Saint John, NB, Saskatoon, and in Winnipeg, versus
the Vancouver Grizzlies in the first Naismith Cup.
NOVEMBER: The team officially establishes the Raptors
Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to
working with registered charities for the betterment of
youth.
NOVEMBER 2: Toronto Raptors announce their 12-man
active roster that will open their inaugural season. The
opening day lineup includes Victor Alexander, Willie
Anderson, Acie Earl, Jimmy King, Oliver Miller, Tracy
Murray, Ed Pinckney, Alvin Robertson, Carlos Rogers,
John Salley, Damon Stoudamire and Zan Tabak.
NOVEMBER 3: The NBA makes its historic return to
Canada as the Toronto Raptors defeat the New Jersey
Nets, 94-79, before a record crowd of 33,306 gathered
at the SkyDome in Toronto.
1996
FEBRUARY 10: Damon Stoudamire receives the MVP
award for the Schick Rookie Game at the All-Star
Weekend in San Antonio.
MARCH 24: The NBA season-high for attendance takes
place at SkyDome as 36,131 witness the Raptors defeat
the first-place Chicago Bulls, 109-108.
APRIL 22: One day after the first season ends, with the
Raptors posting a 21-61 record, Darrell Walker is named
the new head coach of the Raptors as Brendan Malone
steps down from his position due to philosophical
differences with the team.
MAY 15: Damon Stoudamire receives the 1995-96
Schick Rookie of the Year Award.