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The second annual Sport vs. Media Charity Basketball game marked a reversal of fortunes this Sunday, with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students emerging victorious following Team Media’s slim win in last year’s inaugural match.
Team Sport dominated the court with a commanding 80 to 46 point victory over Team Media, which featured media industry professionals from the NBA, Sportsnet, the Toronto Star and more.
The event, held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) and sponsored by Pride Toronto and Marca College, is aimed at supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as the MLSE Foundation and You Can Play.
Leading Team Sport was Hannah Mills, a sport media student and TMU Bold Women’s Basketball athlete, who delivered an impressive performance with 30 points and 16 rebounds.
Mills, who kept score for last year’s game, was invited to play this time and won a trophy for the game’s most valuable player.
“Playing basketball without any stakes makes it so much more fun,” said Mills.
Team Media — featuring return star players like podcasters William Lou and Jerome Cheng and Toronto Star reporter Libaan Osman — was stacked with seasoned talent, but Team Sport outplayed them by drafting standout student athletes.
For some, like third-year sport media student Maya Martelluzzi, the outcome was a surprise.
“I think [Team] Media went into it a little cocky,” she said, noting the 34-point gap between the two teams.
“[Team] Sport stepped up their game,” said broadcast commentator Curtis Coleman, who said he was glad the game took place for a “great cause.”
Martelluzzi says this year’s game felt “more special” to her than the last.
“It was for a cause that pertains to something that directly affects me,” she said, while noting the significance of 2SLGBTQIA+ community-focused events outside of Pride month.
The event, organized by sport media students for their practicum project and practice hours, provided a learning experience for the students who helped organize and manage the broadcast. From livestreaming to in-game commentary, students played key roles in the event’s success.
Tamair Monroe-Ferguson, a second-year sport media student and live panelist for the game, said the opportunity challenged her to “think on the fly and provide meaningful commentary” live for an event she’s “passionate” about.
Last year’s game raised $3,729 for the MLSE Foundation. Sport vs. Media Charity Basketball had not confirmed the amounts donated through this year’s game to MLSE Foundation and You Can Play at publication time. Proceeds came from ticket sales and a silent auction featuring signed jerseys and sports memorabilia.
For Monroe-Ferguson, there’s still room for improvement.
“Next time, I’d suggest including more queer individuals as players in the game,” she said. “It would help the event feel even more representative and create stronger connections between the players and the community it supports.”
Kinza Zafar (she/her) is a reporter for On the Record News, Fall 2024, with an interest in politics and arts and culture.
