OUTSIDERS SOCIAL CLUB, everything that happened at the first edition on French soil

Because the love for basketball and its iconic teams should not be confined to the borders of North America, the Toronto Raptors have decided to expand their community by launching their very first campaign in France, far from their beloved Canada. This arrival on French soil, accompanied by the jersey retirement ceremony of Vince Carter held in Toronto last Saturday, was the perfect occasion to bring together fans from all walks of life. An opportunity that nss seized without hesitation, by participating in the first edition of the “OUTSIDERS SOCIAL CLUB” with a watch party for the ceremony honoring Carter and his career. This event follows the launch of Raptors Outside, the team's latest international campaign launched in France and the first step in a new strategy aimed at supporting and growing the community on a global scale.

“As the only international team in the NBA, the Raptors are not just Toronto’s team but also the voice of Canada. We aim to make ‘We The North’ more than a single destination, but a statement of unity that basketball fans around the world can connect with,” said Shannon Hosford, Chief Marketing Officer of MLSE. “Vince Carter had an impact on basketball and fans worldwide, so we are proud to share this historic moment with our fans in France and to continue creating unique opportunities for those abroad to engage with our team.” The event began Saturday at 11:30 p.m. local time, featuring a live broadcast of the ceremony with activities, DJ sets, and various activities. While this time, fans and local personalities gathered to bid farewell to a basketball legend, more activations and events for French fans are planned over the coming months, with updates regularly shared on the French social media accounts of the Toronto Raptors throughout the season.

Launched in mid-September, the Raptors Outside campaign kicked off the festivities with a short film highlighting emerging talents from the Greater Paris area, produced by YARD, a creative marketing agency at the intersection of culture, music, sports, and fashion. Directed by Ludovic Gontrand, the film pays homage to unique aspects of the local basketball culture, resonating with the spirit and values of the Raptors. France, sharing the French language with the team's bilingual nation, was chosen as the first step in their international strategy due to its strong passion for basketball, with over 10.1 million fans in the country. Additionally, viewership of Raptors games on NBA League Pass in France increased by over 200% during the 2023-24 season. If you missed the Raptors Outside event, you can still find French content on the Instagram account @RaptorsFR, which caters to Francophone supporters both in France and within the Raptors' bilingual nation.