Toronto Raptors Snapshot
These Raptors prey on their hardwood opponents. The Toronto Raptors professional basketball team joined the National Basketball Association as an expansion team in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies (now the Memphis Grizzlies). Playing host at the Air Canada Centre, the team has struggled through many losing seasons and claims just a handful of playoff appearances. Originally awarded to a group led by John Bitove, the Raptors franchise has been owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment since 1998. Maple Leaf Sports also owns Toronto's Air Canada Centre and the Toronto Maple Leafs professional hockey franchise.
