A media challenge...

Not what you were probably expecting, but this is a challenge FROM the media.

Okay...one member of the media.

Okay...me.

Since I first arrived in Toronto in 1992 I've heard nothing but criticism of the media, much of it deserved, but it got incredibly frustrating at times getting lumped in with the faction of the media that doesn't care about the CFL and the Argos.

That ain't me. I'm an unabashed football fan who lists Bill Symons as his first favourite player. I've been a season-ticket holder when I wasn't calling the games, my wife has three season tix now. My wife and I drove from Whitby to Hamilton to watch Mac/Queen's in the rain two weeks ago, while I drove to K/W to watch the Laurier/Mac game this week.

Admittedly, I love football. I want the sport to thrive in Toronto. A big crowd in Toronto would look great on TV and help the image of the sport in the GTA tremendously.

At the end of last week's podcast I said something to JJ and it was picked up by a few listeners and shared on Twitter, so I thought I'd throw it out here and see what happens.

My challenge to you is simple and direct. If you're going to the game, recruit a friend. If you go with a group of three, recruit three friends between you. Even if they can't sit near you, drinks before/after the game are easily planned.

Whether the Argos play Ottawa or Saskatchewan, it should be a fantastic game. If the base of 12,000 fans can recruit an equal number you flirt with a sellout.

I'll do my part.

Are you up for the challenge? If yes, let everyone here know when you grab a friend or three to bring to the game.

I'm up for a big party on Sunday, November 19th.

Who's with me?

I love it Hogie. I will do what I can to see if I can convince a couple of people. Might be difficult, but I will give it a go.

I'll try my best, but I've learned that when my friends that aren't Argo fans have to pay for games, they won't come out, but when I hand them free tickets, they always have time all of a sudden.

I have 3 seasons + 2 extra and someone else at work wants me to see If I can get them a ticket. So 6 for now. See if I can grow it

Mike, Bill Symons remains my favourite Argo of all time. Michael "Pinball" Clemons is a smidgen behind (and might actually be a tie).

We can definitely recruit 1 for 1. Given that it's playoff game, plus excellent deals offered, I'll approach the Oshawa Hawkeyes Football Club and see if they could use 100 tickets. I believe the Argos will return some $ back to the minor league teams as well. That idea might fly across the GTA as well.

Let fill the joint! With Ricky Ray, James Wilder Jr., and the D hitting their stride at just the right time, the Grey Cup isn't out of reach!

Let's get it done!

I have feelers out to friends and family. At the 2013 eastern final I brought 10 additional people. Mike what are TSN 1050 plans to talk Argos over the next week? Also what are Michael Copelands ideas to sell this game out? That would be a good interview.

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Originally Posted by Argofans.com

Let's get it done!

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What a great challenge! Thanks Mike for putting it out there. I have talked two friends into coming to the game. Also my son has talked one of his friends into coming as well.

I really hope we can fill BMO and rock the joint.

Just booked 3 to come out. We have 2STs so sitting at 150% of our personal target and working on a few more!

We have 3 season tickets and have 5 additional people that have bought tickets so far. It looks like we should have a 6th additional ticket sold soon too.

Great work Mike and all you guys making the effort to get more people out !

Arrrrrrrgooooos ! Pull Together !!!

I Love it, challenge accepted.

I am, not the media-state white 50'+ Argo demographic -late 20's and a STH for a decade with 2 seats.

Our group in Section 120 Row 8/9 is now up to 7 tickets purchased/confirmed for the game, so I am a personal +5 on top of my 2 seats ... will update my post as I can try and get this to grow.

You folks are fantastic. Great work. Keep plugging! I'm up to two personally, will keep slugging away. Scooter, no idea. I'm not on the schedule this week and haven't heard about next week.

I got 11 confirmed including 3 kids coming to there first game. Usually only 2 season tickets. I'm working on others, should be a great day!

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Originally Posted by Mike Hogan

You folks are fantastic. Great work. Keep plugging! I'm up to two personally, will keep slugging away. Scooter, no idea. I'm not on the schedule this week and haven't heard about next week.

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You should be on the schedule every week. You should have a daily show not unlike Leafs lunch or Ticats today. Let's call it Argos appetizers or for the French folk Argo apetit. But seriously The Argo Bounce. Here's hoping sane minds let you go on the road to cover the team again and a pre and post game show. How radical.

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Originally Posted by Scooter McCray

You should be on the schedule every week. You should have a daily show not unlike Leafs lunch or Ticats today. Let's call it Argos appetizers or for the French folk Argo apetit. But seriously The Argo Bounce. Here's hoping sane minds let you go on the road to cover the team again and a pre and post game show. How radical.

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https://greenperspective.files.wordp...y-canadian.jpg

I've done my bit with four extra seats sold to relatives, on top of my usual two. Keep those sales coming, folks!

I brought 3 Ti-Cats fans to the last home game vs Winnipeg. Hopefully they will come back for this one. Its the only way they're going to see some playoff football live.

I made it to the group rate! 20 people. The tailgate starts at 9 and the Argos have got a special permit to serve beer at 9. Not sure if I'll start that early! It should be a great day!

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Originally Posted by Tobythor

The tailgate starts at 9 and the Argos have got a special permit to serve beer at 9.

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Very smart move on mgmt's part. Hope they publicize it.

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Originally Posted by Tobythor

I made it to the group rate! 20 people. The tailgate starts at 9 and the Argos have got a special permit to serve beer at 9. Not sure if I'll start that early! It should be a great day!

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Don't think we'll be drinking that early but it's good that it's an option for those that want to.

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Originally Posted by Tobythor

I made it to the group rate! 20 people. The tailgate starts at 9 and the Argos have got a special permit to serve beer at 9. Not sure if I'll start that early! It should be a great day!

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Ha ha! I did some arm twisting and got the group rate when we were at a dozen. Our three meetup group organizers are now up to thirteen total tickets, so we've met the challenge. I'm really getting excited for this one.

9 am beer is outrageous!

Beer on the Corn Flakes. Excellent idea!

I am pushing hard for our minor league football team to take 100 tickets. Win-win situation. Argos have a great reimbursement program that I will match if they hit 100.

There's been no better time to showcase the Argos than now with the team that just finished the 2018 season. The team has momentum, will be back to full strength and a full house in a loud BMO Field could be the catalyst to launching the team to the 105th Grey Cup, while relaunching the Argos to relevance in Toronto.

I have two seasons and have got an additional 4 going plus more next week

I am pushing a bunch of friends to join me. I use my season tickets to expose different people to the Argo's at BMO. Every single one of them comes away with an appreciation of the great experience. I used all my flex seats for the same reason. It is too bad they are stopping that program because there is nothing like getting people in the seats at BMO to promote the game.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I also have friends and family now considering buying tickets next year, as a result of us taking them to games using the flex tickets. I realize not everyone agrees but in our case the flex tickets have been an excellent marketing tool. Sorry to see it discontinued.

I just bought eight more tickets (for Riders and Ticats fans, admittedly). The east side lower deck looks pretty well sold -- I bought these eight in sec. 109 and there seemed to be only about 30 or so left in that section. Keep buying, everyone!

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Originally Posted by Shatto

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I also have friends and family now considering buying tickets next year, as a result of us taking them to games using the flex tickets. I realize not everyone agrees but in our case the flex tickets have been an excellent marketing tool. Sorry to see it discontinued.

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Maybe they can do the flex again, but in a more limited way? I am bringing at least 3 extra people on Sunday, all of whom had come before on the flex, so it does work.

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Originally Posted by Downtownfan

Maybe they can do the flex again, but in a more limited way? I am bringing at least 3 extra people on Sunday, all of whom had come before on the flex, so it does work.

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Yeah, that'd be nice...I've talked it up among friends this year, kind of a group thing, rather than a flex ticket here and there but could never swing it. I had hoped to try again next season. Though I doubt the people I'd take would ever but Season's, they would come again, with their own kids - I'm sure of that.

I’ll be there with my son, bringing a coworker who also 2 seats through my account.
Let’s see as much double blue in the stands as possible!
Good job Hogie.

I'm bring 4 extra people, who actually paid me for their tickets!!! There seems to be a bit of hype building from even NON Argo crowd for this game. People in my office who never talk football (NFL or CFL) are going too

Dave Naylor tweeted yesterday that the Argos have already guaranteed their biggest crowd of the season, and that was even before Saskatchewan was the known opponent. That is indeed good news, as it would mean that maybe 17k or more had been sold prior to Sunday (16,326 being their biggest in the regular season).

They sold 1600 yesterday. Got mine today.

https://youtu.be/-TogGxzlfhM

I bought in 206 (east side) and you now can't get seats in the section below row 26. It's in the centre, and presumably they're selling from the centre out, but I still take it as a good sign that demand is filling the east side second deck.

Tickets are also near or above face value on StubHub, which is another positive indicator. Nothing below $19 USD.

On the whole, I remain optimistic.

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Originally Posted by Tau Ceti

I bought in 206 (east side) and you now can't get seats in the section below row 26. It's in the centre, and presumably they're selling from the centre out, but I still take it as a good sign that demand is filling the east side second deck.

Tickets are also near or above face value on StubHub, which is another positive indicator. Nothing below $19 USD.

On the whole, I remain optimistic.

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Welcome to all the bandwagonners. Hopefully it will be a great game and convince some that an Argos game is a great event.

Got 4 more today.... hoping for a big doubleblue crowd.... Thanks every one for pulling together.... Go ARRGOS !!!

My brother and I (with the help of a couple friends also), were able to put together a group of 22 for today's game.... we'll see you guys in section 220... we'll be the ones with the cow bells and vuvuzela horn!!! :D AAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGOOOOOOSSSSSS!!!