Raptors, Leafs, Jays, TFC, Argos create ‘Team Toronto Fund’ for event and support staff

The ‘Team Toronto Fund’ was introduced Sunday by Toronto’s 5 ‘Big League’ sports teams to provide special assistance for arena/stadium event and support staff affected by the suspension of all of Toronto’s pro sports seasons due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

MLSE CEO Michael Friisdahl, led the launch of the financial assistance program which sees team management, coaches and players from the Raptors, Maple Leafs, TFC, Argos and Blue Jays band together to “provide additional aid to the many workers that support them each and every day and night,” the statement reads.

“As we’re dealing with these unprecedented circumstances, we’re seeing this as a time where our communities can band together and take care of one another,” Maple Leafs president & Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan said in a team release.

“So many of our staff provide us love and support every day they come to work, so we see this as an opportunity to reciprocate those same virtues in this time of uncertainty. Our employees are part of the fabric of our team and following the leadership of MLSE’s ownership group along with CEO Michael Friisdahl, who led the launch of the financial assistance program for employees, our players, coaches and management all wanted to pitch in to help ease some of the burden and worry that affects so many at this difficult time.”

All the teams aside from the Blue Jays fall under the canopy of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, while the Jays are owned by Rogers Communications, but they will all team up to create this support fund.

“No matter the outcome of the game, our staff are often the people Toronto fans remember most about their trip to the ballpark, field, or arena – for their smiles, helping hands, and passion,” said Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro in a press statement.

MLSE had already initiated a program to assist the part-time and event staff at BMO Field, Scotiabank Arena and Coca-Cola Coliseum, home to the American Hockey League’s Marlies. The program will provide a funds to bridge employees between their employee benefits and 95 per cent of their regular average earnings (the maximum allowed by Service Canada for them to be eligible for full EI benefit) for the next four weeks.

“For me, the definition of teammate was never limited to the people who wear our jersey or who work for the Raptors. We showed that last spring in good times. Now we’re coming together to get through these unprecedented times,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said.

“Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts are committed to assisting the people who help make our games at BMO Field possible. Our team motto for TFC is ‘All For One’ and for the Argos it’s ‘Pull Together.’,”said TFC and Argos president Bill Manning.

by Terry Lankstead

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