Argos at BMO Field

[argolio]

There is little doubt Bell/CTV is 100% committed to expanding the NFL in Canada. For all we know, the CFL could be standing in their way of maximizing their NFL revenue.

Expand and maximize how?


I'm not expecting any big announcement during a provincial election campaign. Maybe next month.

[Rich]

Winter Classic.


30K stands has been part of this expansion plan since day one.

1. The Winter Classic is just one date. I said MLSE needs another tenant to help offset all that cash outlay on the stadium.

2. I can't find the recent quote where Lieweke was musing about making the stadium larger than previously planned, I was guessing up to 30K for football, which would make it 35K for soccer, and 40K/45K with the temporary seating setup. Who knows, maybe he's even thinking about adding more. But I'd be willing to bet this is what's going on now.

[D-Gap-Willie]

You've made some good points, D-G-W. I believe it comes down to ownership. Wouldn't MLSE want a favourable lease for the Argos if they intended to buy the team?

The Argos problem is ownership or lack thereof. Somebody needs to step forward and take control of the situation. That should be MLSE but they are negotiating at arms-length at this point.

There is no reason for MLSE to want the Argos to have a favourable lease, if they intend to buy them. MLSE would have no problem owning an unprofitable Argo team, as long as the profits are flowing in from the lease. There's little difference between the left hand and the right hand pocket as far as MLSE is concerned. This is how Rogers operate the unprofitable Blue Jays.

[T-Bone]

1. The Winter Classic is just one date. I said MLSE needs another tenant to help offset all that cash outlay on the stadium.

Do they? From the sounds of things it was the city that insisted on the Argos being included in the renovation not MLSE. As for the Winter Classic being just one date. That one date would generate a ton of money. I can only image what the cost of tickets would be. They probably would start doing one Leaf outdoor game a year. Either way I'm pretty sure the Argos will end up at BMO Field but I don't think MLSE is as desperate for a tenant as you think.

2. I can't find the recent quote where Lieweke was musing about making the stadium larger than previously planned, I was guessing up to 30K for football, which would make it 35K for soccer, and 40K/45K with the temporary seating setup. Who knows, maybe he's even thinking about adding more. But I'd be willing to bet this is what's going on now.

They said at the town hall before TFC's home opener that the final plans wouldn't be ready until June or July.

[Neely2005]

I'm looking to get an update on the BMO Field expansion project. One of the conditions of the expansion was that the Toronto Argonauts had to sign a long term lease by May 15, 2014. That was yesterday. Has the lease been signed? Is the project still on?

Regards



I asked that, waiting to hear back.

Here's the latest reply:


Heather Leger To


May 23 at 5:34 PM
Hi ,


I hope that this email finds you well. My apologies for the delay in getting back to you on this. As far as I know, there was no deadline attached to the approval of the BMO Field expansion when it went to City Council (http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen...em=2014.EX39.4). Any deadlines that do exist would likely be the result of negotiations between MLSE and the Argonauts organization.

Please do not hesitate to be in contact should there be anything else that I can be of assistance with in the future.

Best,

Heather



Heather Leger
Constituency Assistant
Office of Councillor Mike Layton
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina

Phone: (416) 392-4108
Fax: (416) 392-4100
www.mikelayton.ca


And my Reply:

To Heather Leger

Today at 4:47 PM


From Page 3 of the document:


http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-67468.pdf




(b)

Stadium
Improvements
. The following conditions relating to the
Stadium
Improvements must be satisfied (and/or waived by agreement in writing by the
parties in whole or in part) prior to
May 15, 2014
, failing which each of MLSE
and the Owner, in each of their sole discretion,
exercised reasonably, shall have
the right to terminate the arrangements relating to the
Stadium
Improvements. In
such case, the terms outlined in this LOI relating to the
Stadium
Improvements
would be of no force and effect and the parties would have no l
iability to each
other with respect to such arrangements:

(iv)
Commitment from the Toronto Argonaut
s
for the long term use
(as
contemplated herein)
of the
Stadium
as the official home facility for the
Argos;

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2...file-67468.pdf

[AngeloV]

And my Reply:

To Heather Leger

Today at 4:47 PM


From Page 3 of the document:


http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-67468.pdf




(b)

Stadium
Improvements
. The following conditions relating to the
Stadium
Improvements must be satisfied (and/or waived by agreement in writing by the
parties in whole or in part) prior to
May 15, 2014
, failing which each of MLSE
and the Owner, in each of their sole discretion,
exercised reasonably, shall have
the right to terminate the arrangements relating to the
Stadium
Improvements. In
such case, the terms outlined in this LOI relating to the
Stadium
Improvements
would be of no force and effect and the parties would have no l
iability to each
other with respect to such arrangements:

(iv)
Commitment from the Toronto Argonaut
s
for the long term use
(as
contemplated herein)
of the
Stadium
as the official home facility for the
Argos;

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2...file-67468.pdf

Man, You really have to stop reaching here. As mentioned many times in this thread, buisness deadlines get pushed back all the time for multiple reasons. I think you know this, but you are so against the Argos moving into BMO that you are just holding on to any hope that this deal might not get done. It will get done, but guaranteed not before there is a new CBA agreement in place.

[Neely2005]

Man, You really have to stop reaching here. As mentioned many times in this thread, buisness deadlines get pushed back all the time for multiple reasons. I think you know this, but you are so against the Argos moving into BMO that you are just holding on to any hope that this deal might not get done. It will get done, but guaranteed not before there is a new CBA agreement in place.

You need to stop assuming that you know what I'm thinking. As I've said numerous times I think that BMO Field is a done deal (and no I don't like the location of BMO Field) but since it's a public stadium I believe that the public has a right to know what's going on with the renovation project.

[T-Bone]

It will get done, but guaranteed not before there is a new CBA agreement in place.

I agree. I was actually thinking the other day that perhaps the status of the CBA is why we haven't heard anything about BMO Field yet.

[argotom]

How many times have long time Argonaut fans had to go through this Dog and Pony show? People yap on and on about Rider fans being the best. I call BS to that. Die Hard Argo fans have had to deal with up and down BS of this organization not only from day to day but year to year, forever. No respect given to the oldest professional sports franchise in North America by anyone but a few owners and the die hard fans. How can anyone expect fringe fans to support a team that never has more than one or two years of somewhat stability? I'm sick of this stadium talk and no news reported. This as every other team is getting new stadiums or major upgrades. The Argos keep getting crapped on. The only interest in the team seems to be from a massive corporation that I have zero use for. If they even have interest at this point. Who knows, I'd like to know what the hell is going on.

I am with you #1, no respect for the team and this has been many years now.
With the biggest offenders being the media that dictates policy on what we read, watch and hear.
I wonder what Mr. Braley is now planning, does he actually have a plan B if this sale and move blows up?
Mississauga, Markham or anywhere else?

[ArgoRavi]

I am with you #1, no respect for the team and this has been many years now.
With the biggest offenders being the media that dictates policy on what we read, watch and hear.
I wonder what Mr. Braley is now planning, does he actually have a plan B if this sale and move blows up?
Mississauga, Markham or anywhere else?

Braley has no Plan B as I believe that he has no intention of spending any of his own money to build a new stadium for the Argos. It is BMO or bust and BMO will be officially announced at some point in the not-too-distant future.

[Treblecharger1]

During my jog around the CNE yesterday I can tell you that their is a significant amount of surveying going on around BMO field and in the concourse of the west stand. Now that may mean nothing but it certinly seems like they have their ducks in order to get this thing going after the CNE is done.

[Mulder]

During my jog around the CNE yesterday I can tell you that their is a significant amount of surveying going on around BMO field and in the concourse of the west stand. Now that may mean nothing but it certinly seems like they have their ducks in order to get this thing going after the CNE is done.

I noticed sewer locates were done when I was down there 3 weeks ago.

[Neely2005]

And my Reply:

To Heather Leger

Today at 4:47 PM


From Page 3 of the document:


http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-67468.pdf




(b)

Stadium
Improvements
. The following conditions relating to the
Stadium
Improvements must be satisfied (and/or waived by agreement in writing by the
parties in whole or in part) prior to
May 15, 2014
, failing which each of MLSE
and the Owner, in each of their sole discretion,
exercised reasonably, shall have
the right to terminate the arrangements relating to the
Stadium
Improvements. In
such case, the terms outlined in this LOI relating to the
Stadium
Improvements
would be of no force and effect and the parties would have no l
iability to each
other with respect to such arrangements:

(iv)
Commitment from the Toronto Argonaut
s
for the long term use
(as
contemplated herein)
of the
Stadium
as the official home facility for the
Argos;

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2...file-67468.pdf

Here's the latest reply:

From: Heather Leger
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 2:26 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: BMO Field Expansion

Hi ,
*
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. As I was not previously aware of this, I have been in touch with the General Manager as Exhibition Place and asked that she advise as to the status of the expansion. As soon as I hear back I will let you know.
*
Best,
*
Heather

*
Heather Leger
Constituency Assistant
Office of Councillor Mike Layton
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina
*
Phone: (416) 392-4108
Fax: (416) 392-4100
www.mikelayton.ca

[Will]

Uh oh according to Cathal Kelly the plans to include the Argos in the renovations have been scrapped.

[ardesh]

Bye Argos! TFC's football stadium is now saved!

[Rich]

I'd like to personally thank Stephen Harper for doing his very best to try to kill the Canadian Football League.

[paulwoods13]

From the beginning, it has been obvious that the weak link in this plan was getting federal and provincial money. There are few votes to be won, and lots to be lost, from public funding of sports stadiums that enrich private owners. I don't believe this is the definitive end of the deal to get the Argos in BMO, however. There are a number of moving parts, including Larry Tanenbaum's apparent interest in playing nice with the NFL. And we must all remember that corporations (and governments) often leak out stories that suit their interests. Clearly MLSE wants some financial help from government to make this happen, but that doesn't necessarily mean it absolutely must have such help to make the deal happen. Clearly the Argos' future is no more secure today than it was a year ago, but they're not dead or homeless just yet.

[Treblecharger1]

Well this is great for CBA talks tomorrow..... However, Mr Braley might just have to step up and pay the 10 millon himself or this franchise is done. I still think the Argos will be at BMO field come 2015 or 2016.

[Will]

It has nothing to do with liking or not liking the CFL, it's about financially supporting Maple Leaf​ Sports & Entertainment.

The funniest tweet I saw on the subject suggested that only Rob Ford and his ilk cared about the Argos. Well that person should come here and look at all the Rob Ford supporters on this site

[Argo]

Just in case this link hasn't been previously posted:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/argos/...wa_report.html