Where do Maple Leaf players live?

[egd27]

Makes sense to own and pay down a mortgage over just renting, these guys easily have enough money to do that.

Can depend on how long you stay in a place. First couple of years of a mortgage takes little off the principle. Factor in property taxes and the costs associated with selling if you have to leave the city.

Of course the appreciation of the property can offset these costs depending on the market, but renting can often be a better option for some.

 

[hfman]

I don't see how wondering where players live has anything to do with stalking lol. I've often wondered the same thing- do they live in apartment condos downtown, or out in the suburbs, or do they fly in from a short distance away or whatever - my recent ideas has been that they simply live in condos near the downtown core, and they see these condos as their temporary living spaces while they're playing with the team. For sure though, it's something the entire league keeps secret.

 

[Ari91]

Why the hell would a professional athlete live with their parents?

I could see that as a viable option for more of the younger players in the league. You travel, still have your autonomy to go out and have fun but you come home to a clean home, home cooked food and familiar faces. If they have a steady girlfriend then I would guess it wouldn't be an issue to still be at home. Now if you want to play the field and party 24/7 in your off time, I would understand wanting to be away from home, regardless of how old you are.

 

[Wami]

Makes sense to own and pay down a mortgage over just renting, these guys easily have enough money to do that.

This is an entirely different conversation but just as a point of interest, it does not necessarily make more sense to buy over rent for these players. Comments about principal and interest are indeed correct, and then there are all the added costs (condo fees, realtor fees, taxes, moving costs). You may think, oh wow, Toronto real estate... pay down the mortgage and with appreciation you will cash out! But the reality is all those associated costs can absolutely nullify your profits. Especially when you think of the permanence of let's say the last 5-7 years of maple leafs players. Longevity is far from given and in this current TML environment it's almost more guaranteed you will be traded sooner rather later. I would argue that unless you can guarantee like ... 4-5 years, you're almost definitely flirting with a financial loss. Let's not forget that property is also not a liquid asset, and so financially you are restricted from moving your money if necessary. There are better investment vehicles for players. The list goes on...

 

[LeafsGeeks]

Robidas lives in Lou's basement…but I feel like everyone here already knew that.

 

[EN4CER]

This is something I speculated on a while back.
Living in a Cap world, every organization wants to get an edge.

What would stop the Leafs from building this amazing, say 10 million dollar plus mansion/complex somewhere in the city. It would have multiple units in it, say 7 or 8 sub units in it (or more?). Amazing gym, workout rooms, in a gated private area.

"UNITS" could be offered to players, families, UFA's as temporary lodging... I know players often live in hotel rooms sometimes for weeks/months pending their contract status. Something like "as a member of the organization we also have this space available for you and your family, coming to a city you don't know and hunting for a place to live, here's a 4-5 star dwelling you can "use as a member of the team".

Not trying to "skirt the salary cap", but wouldn't this be a huge bonus to any player as say a UFA, knowing their accommodation was included for a crazy low monthly rate, in a building with teammates etc and other families? How could the league see this a cap circumvention in any way? Just the team offering a place to live for a dirt cheap rate. Cannot be quantified monetarily for cap reasons.

I am surprised this hasn't happened yet in sport.

That's actually a great idea. We got the financial muscle, why not? Gives us an edge over other teams.

 

[81Leafs50]

Pinnacle buildings, Maple Leafs square, are very common. Wendel lives at 33 bay st. I live in the building and have seen him in the elevator.

 

[Jerkini]

This is an entirely different conversation but just as a point of interest, it does not necessarily make more sense to buy over rent for these players. Comments about principal and interest are indeed correct, and then there are all the added costs (condo fees, realtor fees, taxes, moving costs). You may think, oh wow, Toronto real estate... pay down the mortgage and with appreciation you will cash out! But the reality is all those associated costs can absolutely nullify your profits. Especially when you think of the permanence of let's say the last 5-7 years of maple leafs players. Longevity is far from given and in this current TML environment it's almost more guaranteed you will be traded sooner rather later. I would argue that unless you can guarantee like ... 4-5 years, you're almost definitely flirting with a financial loss. Let's not forget that property is also not a liquid asset, and so financially you are restricted from moving your money if necessary. There are better investment vehicles for players. The list goes on...

I've always thought buying and then hiring a management company to manage the rental when they move on would be worth it for these guys. You'll probably lose a little money in the short term, but having property all over north america, especially in a city as bustling as Toronto, definitely has to pay off long term.

 

[thewave]

This is a creepy room

 

[Coatsy79]

This is something I speculated on a while back.
Living in a Cap world, every organization wants to get an edge.

What would stop the Leafs from building this amazing, say 10 million dollar plus mansion/complex somewhere in the city. It would have multiple units in it, say 7 or 8 sub units in it (or more?). Amazing gym, workout rooms, in a gated private area.

"UNITS" could be offered to players, families, UFA's as temporary lodging... I know players often live in hotel rooms sometimes for weeks/months pending their contract status. Something like "as a member of the organization we also have this space available for you and your family, coming to a city you don't know and hunting for a place to live, here's a 4-5 star dwelling you can "use as a member of the team".

Not trying to "skirt the salary cap", but wouldn't this be a huge bonus to any player as say a UFA, knowing their accommodation was included for a crazy low monthly rate, in a building with teammates etc and other families? How could the league see this a cap circumvention in any way? Just the team offering a place to live for a dirt cheap rate. Cannot be quantified monetarily for cap reasons.

I am surprised this hasn't happened yet in sport.

This happens a lot in the UK, not a condo unit but many of the Canadian and US players that sign over here often get houses and cars as an extra for coming

 

[Daisy Jane]

That would be a taxable benefit for the players and they would have to include that under their employment income for tax purposes. I'm pretty sure there is something in the CBA that would make this cap circumvention because it would essentially be part of a benefits package/bonus in a way. If it wasn't circumvention they would have probably taken advantage of something similar to this already. But who knows?

why would it be? (like i'm not being sarcastic?) because it's a living expense?

 

[Stats01]

Nice try TMZ

JK, for what it's worth. Condos are probably to most pragmatic solution for a pro athlete in this city, but not necessarily in the ones by the lake. Some tenured Jays live in condos more inwards downtown. There was a pretty funny pic of Jose Bautista scootering north late in the night after ALDS game 5. These guys probably treat Toronto as a seasonal home anyway. I'd imagine the GTA boys on the Leafs take the option of shacking in with their parents (who tend to be well established in the city/suburbs).

I know you don't have ill intent by asking the question, but it is still for good reason that not many know their whereabouts.

I'm pretty sure outside of nylander that no one lives with their parents. Even Marner said that once he makes the Leafs he's moving out and he's from Thornhill I believe or Markham. Like if you want to be a professional in a man's league I think it's a priority to leave home and become an individual. I don't know ..Maybe others think differently but once you reach that level of being a pro athlete I think it's really important to become yourself get away from the comfort of being with your parents and start growing as a player and person.

 

[Jack Bauer]

This is an entirely different conversation but just as a point of interest, it does not necessarily make more sense to buy over rent for these players. Comments about principal and interest are indeed correct, and then there are all the added costs (condo fees, realtor fees, taxes, moving costs). You may think, oh wow, Toronto real estate... pay down the mortgage and with appreciation you will cash out! But the reality is all those associated costs can absolutely nullify your profits. Especially when you think of the permanence of let's say the last 5-7 years of maple leafs players. Longevity is far from given and in this current TML environment it's almost more guaranteed you will be traded sooner rather later. I would argue that unless you can guarantee like ... 4-5 years, you're almost definitely flirting with a financial loss. Let's not forget that property is also not a liquid asset, and so financially you are restricted from moving your money if necessary. There are better investment vehicles for players. The list goes on...

Then add in the possibility of a trade at almost any time...renting makes a lot more sense until they secure that 1st big contract outside of their ELC in most cases.

The guys playing for the Marlies are making 50K in some cases. That's closer to the average salary in Canada then it is to being a millionaire condo owner downtown.

 

[NikoPopp]

Where are you guys getting the idea that you need to be a millionaire to own a condo downtown? Condos range from $300k - millions. Lots of people own a condo downtown without being millionaires.

 

[Durrr]

Do you not remember in the NHL 24/7 when Phaneuf signs that contract. He lived in a condo during that time.

I guess he moved then, keep in mind this is all in the last year. The mail we received would be specifically addressed to "Dion Phaneuf" or "Elisha Cuthbert", and the address is a house near Casa Loma.

 

[Durrr]

I'm pretty sure outside of nylander that no one lives with their parents. Even Marner said that once he makes the Leafs he's moving out and he's from Thornhill I believe or Markham. Like if you want to be a professional in a man's league I think it's a priority to leave home and become an individual. I don't know ..Maybe others think differently but once you reach that level of being a pro athlete I think it's really important to become yourself get away from the comfort of being with your parents and start growing as a player and person.

Brown lives at home still, as another person said.

 

[Sniper99]

Where are you guys getting the idea that you need to be a millionaire to own a condo downtown? Condos range from $300k - millions. Lots of people own a condo downtown without being millionaires.

Exactly, I know a couple there who recently just bought a condo around Maple Leaf Square, dont know what they paid thats not my business but I can guarantee you they're not millionaires. Just have a really good paying job

 

[ACC1224]

I'm pretty sure outside of nylander that no one lives with their parents. Even Marner said that once he makes the Leafs he's moving out and he's from Thornhill I believe or Markham. Like if you want to be a professional in a man's league I think it's a priority to leave home and become an individual. I don't know ..Maybe others think differently but once you reach that level of being a pro athlete I think it's really important to become yourself get away from the comfort of being with your parents and start growing as a player and person.

He won't want to have to do that drive every day.

Unless they play Jr. for their hometown team, many of them haven't lived with their parents for some time.

 

[Anthrax442]

Ponikarovskiy lived around the North York Civic center, my buddy was good friends with him and I met him few times and been to his house. Mogilny lived somewhere around Bayview and Lawrence, Lindross is in Forest Hill.

 

[Wami]

Then add in the possibility of a trade at almost any time...renting makes a lot more sense until they secure that 1st big contract outside of their ELC in most cases.

The guys playing for the Marlies are making 50K in some cases. That's closer to the average salary in Canada then it is to being a millionaire condo owner downtown.

I think you forgot an extra 0 there. Current Marlies typically make between 500k and 1 mil.

Edit: as two people have already pointed out I am in fact wrong - those are their NHL salaries! I was not aware ahl players got paid so little!

 

[ACC1224]

I think you forgot an extra 0 there. Current Marlies typically make between 500k and 1 mil.

I think you're mistaken.

 

[Mats13]

This thread is so creepy

I just picture the OP tracking down all the Leafs players now..

 

[Man Bear Pig]

I think you forgot an extra 0 there. Current Marlies typically make between 500k and 1 mil.

No, no they don't. Most AHL players make 5 figures. It's when they're called up that they make the big money. A stint in the nhl could be equivalent to an entire years salary to these guys.

 

[BlueBlood17]

From 24/7 it wasn't very hard to figure out where he lived, it was pretty obvious it was the Avenue Condos if your familiar with Forrest Hill. I'm sure they live all over the place, Sundin lived on Russell Hiil Rd, then Oakville, Cujo in the burbs (King City specifically), Tucker, Corson, Thomas and Roberts in Lawrence Park. Due to the location of our practice facility, it seems most guys live in the condo's in Liberty Village/western parts of Harborfront, between the ACC and our practice facilities. Almost all the Jays live in the condos around the dome and live elsewhere in the off-season, probably the same for most Raptors but some may have moved further west due to the practice facility being moved to the ex grounds.

Sundin lived on Dunvegan, to be exact.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Bernier lives in Quebec, but has a property in the Toronto area too.

Players make lots of money, so they sometimes have many, many houses, especially if they see real estate as a smart way to invest their earnings.

I personally don't think real estate is a sound investment option. If you read Nate Silver's book "The Signal and the Noise", he covers there that when you adjust for inflation, homeowners since the Great Depression have averaged about a 2% ROI. That's factoring in cost of home ownership, such as maintenance, taxes, interest paid to lenders, etc.

Over the short term, you can make a lot of money, though.

Although not as much in BC now that the government is slamming the real estate industry for shadow flipping. (This is very assuredly happening in other markets too.)