Gauging how the threat of a trade war has affected the Canadian pro sports landscape

CBC

05-02-2025

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Tuesday Jan. 28 marked 500 days ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. Toronto and Vancouver are host cities of the mega-event in which Canada, the U.S., and Mexico are the throuple-hosting the biggest soccer tournament in the world.
When U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to put a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods, a wave of indignance swept through the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's response was to impose taxes on U.S. goods. In a meeting on Monday afternoon, Trump agreed to hold the the tariffs for 30 days but the sentiment remains.
The memes began but so did the swift response.
Across social media, people began sharing lists of Canadian-only products to buy, ultimately boycotting U.S. goods. There was information sharing in the form of satire and all over my social media feeds.
But what about sports? How does this impact the world of sports? Did it simply galvanize a sense of nationalism?
The sport world is now interrogating how the mega-event 2026 FIFA World Cup will be managed with the current economic freeze and political instability between the countries.
It's become more than friendly competition.
WATCH | Fans in Ottawa boo American anthem before Sens-Wild game:
3 days ago
Duration 5:00
Fans booed at an Ottawa Senators game on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, and then at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday at a Toronto Raptors game.
One attendee told me that players on the L.A. Clippers looked surprised and slightly confused. A source told me that the 15 year-old anthem singer was prepared and advised to expect some crowd reactions. Although her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was boo-ed, O Canada was met with exuberance.
Hello & Welcome co-creator and co-host, William Lou, was working at the game from media row and posted to X (formerly Twitter) about Canadian fans booing the American anthem.
I asked Lou about what it felt like to be there and witness these fan reactions firsthand.
"Anthems are usually the most boring part of sporting events, but I took my phone out and started paying attention," Lou told me during a phone call.
"One person started booing loudly and it rippled around the entire arena. Not as loud as the boos when Vince Carter would come back to play but it was pretty notable."
Lou has never seen that type of response "happen organically" from the Toronto crowd in over 10 years.
"You can see because of the U.S. anthem, there was more vigor to sing the Canadian anthem. It is always a big deal when everyone sings together … for people to express themselves collectively. It's rare that it happens at a Raptors Game."
What now?
How badly have Trump's tariff threats sullied the vibes? Will the love of sport be enough to repair a damaged relationship? Will FIFA President Gianni Infantino step into a diplomatic role and try to assuage any hard feelings? What happens to the rest of sports that are so intertwined across the longest undefended border in the world?
Now that Canada is supposed to be in full disdain for our American neighbours, what about all the joint projects in the sports world? What about the World Cup?
I asked Canada Soccer about the potential tariffs and the tournament. Paulo Senra, chief communications officer sent me a statement via email.
"We know that this is a serious matter that impacts the lives of many Canadians. Right now, we are focusing on continuing to build a world-class organization and prioritizing ways to set up our players for success on the world stage."
Analysis
The trade war is off — but for how long?
Last year, CBC Sports reported exclusively that a WNBA expansion team would begin in the 2026 season. Might the only Canadian team in an American league be affected?
I reached out to the Toronto Tempo to ask whether "trade wars" might affect Tempo planning and roll-out. Lisa Paquin of Craft Public Relations, the agency handling Tempo PR, replied to me to say they don't have any commentary at this time.
Perhaps it's too early to know. All of it feels so chaotic and changing from hour to hour.
Canadian athletes in the U.S.
And what about Canadian players like Kia Nurse, Aliyah Edwards, Bridget Carleton, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more? They all play proudly for Canada with maple leafs on their chests, but are situated in the United States for work.
Dr. Cheri Bradish is director of the future of sport lab and chair of marketing management at Toronto Metropolitan University. She told me that there will be numerous impacts from across the sector, from large scale event implications to per sport consumer stings.
"The impacts to the Canadian dollar, the lowest it's been in 20 years, will also have significant pressures on Canadian teams and leagues," Bradish told me via email.
"From a labour relations perspective, such as the NHL for player and coach contracts paid in U.S. dollars — not to mention related media contracts and commitments."
I can't help but think of the PWHL. There are so many Canadian and American players who play across the border. If we are expected to be furious with America, what about players like Jamie Lee Rattray, a beloved Canadian, who plays for the Boston Fleet?
I reached out to the PWHL, but the league replied saying it would not be commenting at this time.
Sport consumers could feel 'a deep pinch'
What about all the fans who have waited for merchandise and tickets for women's professional leagues or athletes who need equipment and will feel the impact of added taxing?
"The sport consumer will feel a deep pinch as well," Bradish told me. "Sporting equipment is now on the Trudeau tariff list, meaning increased expenses, and with a softened economy attending sporting events is likely to suffer as well, as sport fandom and attendance is largely a discretionary spend, and will be the first to go for consumers and citizens who have impact on their family wallet."
The Rivalry Series in women's hockey contested between Canada and the U.S. is one of the most thrilling competitions in sports. The two teams have an incredible history of camaraderie (now many are PWHL players) and competition but the calibre of sport is incredible. They have games this week in Halifax, and in Summerside, P.E.I. One can't help but wonder about the effects on players and whether there are any concerns for them at this time.
When Trump suggested again that he'd make Canada the 51st state, it was no less an outlandish statement to make as it was initially. National sovereignty is not something to joke about or take lightly. It's like taking a hit at a sports fan or a politically engaged citizen — there will be a response.
There are many unknowns in the economic and political world right now. What we do know is the "True North Strong and Free" part will reverberate loudly up here. Tolerance for Trump's financial moves will be welcomed as happily as Canadian geese marching on a public walkway when people have to run past.
The tenacity emerging from Canada may embolden a sense of national pride that hasn't been tested this way in a while ¡ on the court or off.