The AltRaps Blog

globesports.com: Raptors smiling all the way to the bank
The NBA reduces the financial risk by underwriting most of the cost of the trip. The league pays the commercial travel expenses for a party of 40, and pays participating teams an appearance fee for each game (typically between $75,000 and $150,000 when they play on the road in exhibition season; the average is about $85,000).

The Raptors brought more than 50 people on a private jet rented from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, which added to the cost.

“But the whole thing is a wash,” Colangelo said. “We may not make money on the trip, but it’s not a money-losing venture, and there’s the big picture to think about also.”