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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 29, 2013) - The Toronto Raptors and BMO Financial Group have announced a multi-year partnership that will see the bank join Canada's NBA team as title sponsor and serve as the official bank of the Raptors. The agreement builds on a long-time partnership between BMO and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

"Basketball has established itself as one of the most popular participation sports among Canadian youth, and the future of the game in this country is even brighter," said Joanna Rotenberg, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Strategy, BMO Financial Group. "We are thrilled to build on the exciting momentum around the Raptors, including the team's upcoming twentieth anniversary and the NBA All Star Game coming to Toronto in 2016. This ideal partnership extends the BMO brand with the NBA in Canada and the U.S. - we are also major sponsors of the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks."

As a new platinum partner of the Raptors, BMO will have a strong in-arena presence, including the bank's branding on the basketball court, and on broadcasts for Raptors games. BMO and the Raptors will team up to offer new products to customers, and at the grassroots level as the bank brings impactful community basketball programs similar to those delivered at BMO Field with Toronto FC and BMO youth soccer programs across Canada.

"BMO recognizes the growing power of basketball in Canada and the fantastic opportunity we have to work together as partners to bring the game to fans at all levels, much like we've been able to do together with soccer," said David Hopkinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "We have seen record numbers for basketball participation and viewership across the country over the past year, and we are thrilled to team up with a premier partner like BMO to bring Raptors NBA basketball to our fans."

The popularity of basketball in Canada is on the rise with 19 per cent increase in television viewership over the past year and an estimated 6.7 million fans across the country. Fifty-seven per cent of NBA fans are under the age of 35 and the sport is becoming more popular with new Canadians.

BMO and Raptors Team Up for Customers, Community and Charities:

• BMO Power of Blue - exclusive entrance to Raptors games, and discounts on tickets and merchandise
• BMO Raptors Mobile Fan Zone - replica Raptor dressing room will visit 30 communities across Canada
• Local Charities - 10 local charities will be invited as guests to watch pre-game warmup, meet players and attend game
• Community Clinics - Raptors players and coaches, along with national team players will host basketball skills clinics

About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) is one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square and three digital channels - Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GOLTV Canada. MLSE has also invested in four of Toronto's sports facilities: Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Marlies; BMO Field, home of Toronto FC; Lamport Stadium; and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies. MLSE operates and manages events at Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $549 billion as at July 31, 2013, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.