24 Toronto Raptors have used this real estate mogul to buy or sell homes in southern Ontario

A well-known name on the Mississauga and GTA real estate scene, Sam McDadi knows a lot about selling homes.

Turns out he knows a thing or two — considerably more, actually — about basketball as well. In particular, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.

Not only is the Mississauga-based realtor a huge fan of the team, more so since its championship-winning season in 2019, but he’s now a business partner of the Raptors as well.

Last November, Sam McDadi Real Estate Brokerage entered into a “dynamic partnership” with the Toronto Raptors that has made “Team McDadi” the official real estate brokerage of the lone NBA club in Canada.

The newfound association between the two was more than visibly apparent as the 2023/24 NBA season got underway last fall.

In a Nov. 1 contest at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto against the Milwaukee Bucks that marked opening night of the McDadi/Raptors partnership, fans noticed the significant presence of the Sam McDadi brand, ranging from arena banners to digital impressions, the realtor said.

Later that night, after a Raptors victory, the team took its new business partner on its private jet to Philadelphia for a game the next night against the 76’ers.

And things have only gotten better from there, McDadi told insauga.com in a recent interview.

Sam McDadi is excited about his brokerage’s new partnership with the Toronto Raptors. He’s even more excited, it seems, as a fan of the team.

He noted a less formal relationship with the Raptors actually dates back several years as he and his brokerage team have handled the real estate needs — both buying and selling homes — of some two dozen Raptors players, coaches and staff in that time.

McDadi is quick to point out that the Raptors, whether players, coaches, other staff or execs, don’t have to use his firm for their real estate needs under the three-year partnership deal.

But many of them do. And he and his team, who’ve been in business since 2012 when the McDadi brokerage was established, are more than happy to deliver to them exactly what they’re looking for.

McDadi, who says he has pretty much fallen in love with the game of basketball and the team the past five years or so, figures he now has the best of both worlds — a close relationship with the professional basketball team he has come to love as a fan that includes friendships with many of the players, coaches and executives in addition to a strong business partnership with a successful NBA franchise that is a marketing giant.

Sam McDadi and his real estate team shown here at Scotiabank Arena, home of the Raptors.

In his interview with insauga.com, McDadi spoke about his relationship with the Raptors much more as a diehard fan who rarely misses attending a home game than as a new business partner of the club.

His passion for the game, the team and all who are involved with it is evident as he speaks. A season ticket holder of courtside seats once used by beloved former Raptor DeMar DeRozan and his family, McDadi doesn’t miss a game and he loves every minute of it.

His seats are nearby Raptors’ iconic Superfan and Mississauga resident Nav Bhatia.

“There’s no better entertainment than basketball,” McDadi declares, adding a little later on in the interview, “For those who haven’t yet experienced a Raptors game, it’s a must on your bucket list.”

Sam McDadi has a great view of the Scotiabank Arena scoreboard from his courtside seats.

Sounding every bit the diehard fan, he continues, describing his association — both personal and professional — with the NBA club as being a “great journey” so far and “a lot of fun.”

To that, the successful realtor adds, enjoying games live at Scotiabank Arena is “a nice little escape.”

McDadi’s timing, as a loyal Raptors fan, couldn’t have been better, either.

He began attending games on the regular in late 2018, several months after DeRozan was sent to the San Antonio Spurs in what is inarguably the most meaningful trade in team history.

Coming back to the Raps was star forward, but injury plagued Kawhi Leonard. Leonard would enjoy a healthy season with the Raptors and in his lone campaign in Toronto led the club to its first NBA title, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the final.

Sam McDadi with good friend and former Raptor O.G. Anunoby and Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic.

Another trade involving the Raptors, this one coming last month, was one that didn’t make McDadi so happy. Though he understands the rebuilding position the team finds itself in this season dictates that some popular, longtime players will be dealt for future assets, it was his close friend, O.G. Anunoby, who was dealt to the New York Knicks in January.

McDadi says he’s happy with the players Toronto received back in that deal and he remains close friends with Anunoby.

If there’s any downside to the courtside seats he enjoys, McDadi says with a laugh that you always have to look out for very big NBA players falling into your lap, literally.

And then there are the many flying basketballs coming toward him at great speed. He says there have been many “close calls,” but he’s managed to survive so far.

“I have pretty quick hands,” McDadi quips.

Looking around Scotiabank Arena, there’s no missing the Sam McDadi brand that’s front and centre.

In an earlier news release, McDadi reflected on the journey, to date, and his team’s association with Canada’s NBA team.

The Sam McDadi brand is on full display outside Scotiabank Arena as well.

Sam McDadi and former Raptor fan favourite Pascal Siakam, who was traded this season to the Indiana Pacers.

Forget basketball for a minute. McDadi goes head to head here with ex-Raptor Precious Achiuwa in a game of table tennis.

Sam McDadi and former Raptor Dennis Schroder, who spent less than a season with the team.

Again, with O.G. Anunoby and the head coach, Darko Rajakovic.

Sam McDadi with Precious Achiuwa, who was traded earlier this year.

(All photos: Sam McDadi)