“In the event the Toronto Raptors seek a temporary home for the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, please note our strong support for Kansas City to serve as the team’s host city”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Pat Roberts (Kan.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (Mo.) today wrote to National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver and Toronto Raptors Ownership Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment encouraging the Toronto Raptors to select Kansas City as the team’s host city, should they seek a temporary home for the 2020-2021 NBA season.

“Kansas City sports fans are unmatched, already providing an avid fanbase for the Chiefs, the Royals, Sporting—and would be eager to extend that support to the Raptors,” the members wrote. “Our T-Mobile Center, a first-class arena located in the heart of downtown, would make a great home for the Raptors as they look to match last season’s impressive winning record.”

“Kansas City is well-suited to host the Toronto Raptors for the 2020-2021 NBA season and our dynamic fans would be thrilled to adopt the team as our own,” the members continued. “On behalf of our bi-state region, we thank you for your consideration of Kansas City as you move forward in the selection process.”

Full letter is below and attached:

Dear Commissioner Silver:

In the event the Toronto Raptors seek a temporary home for the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, please note our strong support for Kansas City to serve as the team’s host city.

Kansas City is a great sports city.  Not only does Kansas City boast the 2019 World Champion Kansas City Chiefs, the 2017 U.S. Open Cup Champions Sporting Kansas City, and the 2015 World Series Champions Kansas City Royals, but Kansas City is also preparing to host the 2023 National Football League (NFL) Draft and enjoys regularly hosting the best collegiate athletes from across the country for tournaments and championship games in a variety of sports.

Kansas City sports fans are unmatched, already providing an avid fanbase for the Chiefs, the Royals, and Sporting—and would be eager to extend that support to the Raptors.  Our T-Mobile Center, a first-class arena located in the heart of downtown, would make a great home for the Raptors as they look to match last season’s impressive winning record.

In addition, Kansas City has plenty to offer with our wonderful food, attractions, and entertainment for basketball fans of all ages.  Kansas City has the fifth fastest growing downtown population in the nation, according to the Brookings Institute, and offers convenient air and ground travel across the continental United States and beyond.  The Kansas City metropolitan area is primarily served by the Kansas City International Airport, which is currently undergoing a $1.5 billion state-of-the-art terminal renovation to meet the needs of our growing economy and booming tourism industry.  The fare-free Kansas City Streetcar runs through Kansas City’s downtown and has stops just a minutes’ walk from the T-Mobile Center and many of the city’s premier dining and entertainment venues.  Kansas City also proudly provides fare-free public bus transportation across the city, with several stops near the T-Mobile Center.

Again, Kansas City is well-suited to host the Toronto Raptors for the 2020-2021 NBA season and our dynamic fans would be thrilled to adopt the team as our own.  On behalf of our bi-state region, we thank you for your consideration of Kansas City as you move forward in the selection process and stand ready to answer any questions you may have.

Best regards,

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