Toronto Tornados

The Toronto Tornados, based in Toronto, Ontario, were a Continental Basketball Association club from 1983 to 1985. Ted Stepien bought the franchise in May 1983, and the team played at Varsity Arena. Gerald Oliver coached it for its two Toronto seasons.

The Tornados went 16-28 in 1983-84 and finished last in their division. In 1984-85 they went 26-22, including a 15-2 finish, and took the last Eastern Division playoff spot. Crowds were small: attendance averaged 1,224 in the first year and 850 in the second. Stepien estimated his losses at about $700,000 over the two seasons.

Oliver was fired just before the first playoff game. Toronto lost the series 3-2 to the defending champion Albany Patroons, coached by Phil Jackson, who later coached in the big leagues. Early in 1985-86 the team started 2-7, and Stepien moved it to Pensacola, Florida.