Raptors playoff run better for businesses than Blue Jays
Posted May 21, 2016 4:43 pm.
Last Updated May 21, 2016 7:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Raptors’ foray into the NBA Playoffs has not only been a boon for the brand, but it seems some downtown businesses are on a winning streak as a result.
New data from Canadian debit and credit processor Moneris indicates spending spiked by 55 per cent at downtown bars during Toronto’s semi-final home games compared to the same period last year. And it’s an even stronger impact on bars that are closer to the Air Canada Centre; they’ve seen a 64 per cent increase in spending.
“To be honest it’s a throwback to what the Jays did, polarizing the city last year,” says Jon Purdy, General Manager of Yonge-Dundas Square sports bar Shark Club.
In fact, this playoff run is proving to be even more successful for business than the bat-flipping days of October baseball.
“We did a similar study of bars and restaurants around the Rogers Centre,” Moneris COO Fern Glowinsky says. “The averages for the Raptors are almost double compared to the Blue Jays when they were in the playoffs.”
During the Jays’ epic battle against the Texas Rangers in October, spending at bars in the downtown core was up by 26 per cent. Venues closer to the Rogers Centre witnessed a 32 per cent rise. It is worth noting, though, that the Rogers Centre capacity is larger than the ACC.
Regardless, bars aren’t complaining. “For us business-wise and guest-wise it’s been phenomenal to have the excitement, to have them go so far and so deep into the playoffs,” says Purdy.
He’s hoping now for a win against Cleveland, since it could very well translate into a win for his bottom line.
“I think that every game it incrementally gets better for everyone,” he says. “If it goes to game 7 it goes to game 7. We’d love to see them go through and play in the NBA championships without a doubt.”
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