I'm not sure. Have never looked into that but it's gotta be tough for Toronto because they have to pay their players in US dollars while their income is in Canadian dollars. There's a 30-32% differential right there (and NOT in Toronto's favour). I'm guessing there must be some sort of compensation for that within the league? How else could they compete financially because in years like this one, you can shoot a cannon off in their ballpark without fear of hitting anyone. I know the revenue is mostly from broadcast and advertising revenue but still, netting $3.42 per game at the gate can't happen for long
Mind you, I'm sure it's the same thing in the NHL too yet Toronto is one of the top teams in terms of total annual revenue generated and end up paying more than most into the NHL comp. fund! Perfect illustration of just how fanatical the hockey fans are here. The team hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1967 yet they are always in the top three revenue generation teams lol.
That differential in currency must be one of the prime reasons that any major North American Sport does NOT want to consider Canada for league expansion. In the Toronto area, there has been speculation for decades now that there needs to be a 2nd NHL team in this market - maybe in Hamilton? The Greater Toronto Area (which includes Hamilton) could easily support 2 teams financially yet Bettmen (Commissioner of the NHL) has scuttled that idea every time. Yet, the NHL went to Arizona who's fan draw at the gate is always in the bottom 3 of the league. I can get a ticket for a game there for under $20.00. In Toronto, you are looking at $300.00 - $400.00 per ticket for just average seats, if you can get them! The Toronto arena is sold out for virtually every game - even at those prices. It's nuts! So, there must be other reasons I'm not aware of as to why they wouldn't put another team in here. Maybe they look at the New York experiment. Rangers do fantastic yet the expansion team Islanders barely scrape by in attendance anyway. Bottom of the league in recent years.