NBA fans turn Toronto 'Rangers' gaffe into a meme during FBI's gambling press conference

An example of a Freudian slip is when you're talking and you end up mixing up names or terms.

It can come in many forms, with a common example being calling someone by the wrong name in an embarrassing situation. Like in "Friends" when Ross was getting married to Emily, but said "I take thee Rachel."

When a Freudian slip occurs, all you can hope for is that it doesn't happen in a big moment or situation. Unfortunately for an FBI official, one came during the presentation of a multi-year gambling investigation that resulted in the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. 

MORE: Will Chauncey Billups be fired by Trail Blazers?

The official was naming the teams affected, and instead of saying the Toronto Raptors, the official went with the "Toronto Rangers." This seemingly meshed the Raptors and the New York Rangers hockey team into one entity. While it would have likely been easily corrected in passing, the stage at which it happened sent social media into a frenzy. 

Here is more on the "Toronto Rangers" slip and how NBA fans reacted during the FBI gambling press conference. 

Who are the Toronto Rangers?

The Toronto Rangers do not exist. The verbal slip in the press conference is likely a combination of the Texas Rangers, New York Rangers, Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Blue Jays getting meshed into one.

Given that the investigation surrounded the NBA, the assumption can be made that he was trying to say the Toronto Raptors, and missed. 

MORE: Everything to know about NBA players, coaches involved in betting scandals

Social media reactions to"Toronto Rangers" slip

Unfortunately for the FBI official, starting the investigation findings by misnaming a team caused many to then doubt the findings of the investigation.

an FBI official says the alleged NBA gambling ring involves the "Toronto Rangers" (not a real team), which doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the quality of their investigation pic.twitter.com/gnWEAJcoqs

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2025

Many took the chance to bring back a viral video of the fist fight between the Texas Rangers' Rougned Odor and the Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista from 2016. 

the Toronto Rangers pic.twitter.com/Hf1dhwcbq1

— jords 💛 (@jordancicchelli) October 23, 2025

Others took an opportunity to further mesh all of the sports and its teams together. 

The Toronto Rangers greatest moment will always be when Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady turned a 6-3 double play at the end of the 3-period of a game against the Montreal Orioles. https://t.co/7feJ5pmU7z

— Charles T (@ChuckyT3) October 23, 2025

Unfortunately for the made-up Toronto Rangers, they are losing out on a season ticket holder.

Extremely disappointing. I will not be renewing my Toronto Rangers season tickets. https://t.co/jGwuoHgsXn

— Rob Wong (@RobWong34) October 23, 2025

If there was ever a time to create a "Baseketball" league like from the movie, this would be the time to launch it with the Toronto Rangers.

The Baseketball team Toronto Rangers pic.twitter.com/Z3MhikKy6m

— Jonathan Impemba (@jimpemba777) October 23, 2025

Maybe the FBI official is on to something. Toronto seems all in on adopting its new team.

I live in Toronto, there is no team more adored here than our beloved Toronto Rangers! Even the Blue Jays in the #WorldSeries doesn’t hold a candle. Rangers in 2026, let’s go!! https://t.co/KwRFv4BbXx

— darren (@darren_rpu) October 23, 2025