No, not after the politicians.
The Raptors made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2008. The accomplishment rallied fans who gathered in droves in the square in front of the Air Canada Centre. National and local media outlets capitalized on the spectacle, often panning to capture footage of the fervent crowd — a coming out party of sorts for the Raptors’ fanbase. The square was affectionately named “Jurassic Park,” a nod to the origins of the Raptors’ franchise name.
The name was corny, but it at least held ties and a meaning to the fanbase. “Ford Square,” as it will now be called for the next five years, is neither. It’s soulless, and yet another example of MLSE’s relentless push to prioritize capitalization over humanity. Thanks for putting the fans first, guys!