Argos at BMO Field

[paulwoods13]

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

It appears that is simply a "matcher" to the Cathal Kelly story posted earlier in the thread. I'm quite sure that the story by their own former columnist is the "report" cited in the lead.

[Will]

Interesting that this is leaked a day before the CBA talks are to resume. It would give Cohon some leverage would it not?

[Fumblitis]

This is not good news. Surely there has to be a billionaire or two in the 416 that has a passion for this team.

[Will]

This is not good news. Surely there has to be a billionaire or two in the 416 that has a passion for this team.

Gimme about 10 years to finish my MBA and amass my fortune.

[Rich]

Interesting that this is leaked a day before the CBA talks are to resume. It would give Cohon some leverage would it not?

Indeed it does. But not only that, the CBA is of huge interest to MLSE and their plans to bring the Argos into the fold. Giving up too much to the players would likely kill MLSE interest in the Argos. We might be seeing some real orchestration going on here.

[Will]

Who is Kelly's source?

[Neely2005]

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

Wait I thought that everything was Rob Ford's fault? Why aren't we adding Kathleen Wynne too?

[Invader]

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

With the Conservatives, adhering to their principles is more important than funding professional sports stadiums or feeding a hungry man. As they promised in the last election, they are committed to balancing the budget. A saving of $10 million here and $10 million there, can add up to real money over time.

I suspect this is just a negotiating ploy by MLSE to extract $10 million from the feds. Shunning the Argos will put much more pressure on governments to come up with cash, than saying they're going to trade one of their high-priced soccer players, for example.

Cathal Kelly is Leiweke's official spokesmodel. When Kelly talks MLSE, we know he is repeating word-for-word what he's been instructed to say. It makes little sense for MLSE to spend $100 million to renovate BMO, while losing millions in potential revenue by rejecting the Argo's 11 home games a year...over a $10 million handout from the feds.

If MLSE were ever going to buy the Argos, they would have an Agreement in Principle already in place. There is no way MLSE would decide to purchase the Argos after they've negotiated a 20-year lease at BMO, which would substantially increase the team's value. MLSE just isn't that stupid.

On the other hand, if MLSE has no interest in buying the Argos, then this is just business as usual for the Rogers-controlled company.

[argotom]

Who knows, this still may be part of the negotiations ploy by MLSE?
To scare Mr. Braley into dropping his asking price.

[Rich]

Wait I thought that everything was Rob Ford's fault? Why aren't we adding Kathleen Wynne too?

The province has already committed its $10M to the project.

[paulwoods13]

Who is Kelly's source?

Probably came from within MLSE but it could have been orchestrated by multiple parties. Naylor has a similar story on tsn.ca so I would discount the idea that MLSE is using Kelly as a mouthpiece to quietly announce they are backing away from the whole thing. This is purely conjecture, but I think the strategic nature of this leak indicates MLSE is still interested in taking over the Argos.

[Neely2005]

On the other hand, if MLSE has no interest in buying the Argos, then this is just business as usual for the Rogers-controlled company.

Rogers and Bell own equal portions of MLSE.

[D-Gap-Willie]

If MLSE were ever going to buy the Argos, they would have an Agreement in Principle already in place. There is no way MLSE would decide to purchase the Argos after they've negotiated a 20-year lease at BMO, which would substantially increase the team's value. MLSE just isn't that stupid.

There is no good reason for MLSE to negotiate a 20 year lease with the Argos that is not completely to MLSE's benefit. Hence, there is no reason why the lease would "substantially increase the team's value", but could indeed actually be a 'poison pill' for any other buyer than MLSE. This is business and MLSE knows how to make money, and use all of their leverage.

[Neely2005]

The province has already committed its $10M to the project.

And we all know that Kathleen Wynne / Dalton McGuinty have kept all of their promises. If they were really concerned they could have cut the cheque before they dissolved parliament.

[Rich]

And we all know that Kathleen Wynne / Dalton McGuinty have kept all of their promises. If they were really concerned they could have cut the cheque before they dissolved parliament.

What makes you think the cheque hasn't been cut already?

If indeed today's news is on the level (even though I don't really believe it is), and the Argos are indeed shut out of BMO, then the franchise and therefore the league will be in serious trouble, and Harper is going to have to wear it.

[Neely2005]

What makes you think the cheque hasn't been cut already?

Because the article says so:

"The city is expected to sign off on the revised, soccer-only plan. MLSE has received assurances that the province will do likewise if the Liberal government of Kathleen Wynne survives a June 12th election. Wynne currently leads in the polls."

[Will]

What makes you think the cheque hasn't been cut already?

If indeed today's news is on the level (even though I don't really believe it is), and the Argos are indeed shut out of BMO, then the franchise and therefore the league will be in serious trouble, and Harper is going to have to wear it.

Would you have been as pissed off if it were Mulcair or Trudeau in government instead of Harper?

[Rich]

Would you have been as pissed off if it were Mulcair or Trudeau in government instead of Harper?

Any politician who causes damage to the CFL should be prepared for a firestorm from CFL fans, surely anyone here would agree.

[ArgoRavi]

What is incredible is that $10 million is a drop in the bucket for MLSE. They pay some of their athletes this much each season, don't they? I can't see this deal dying because of such a paltry amount of money. And while I am not a Harper fan, I can't blame him or his government for this.

[T-Bone]

What is incredible is that $10 million is a drop in the bucket for MLSE. They pay some of their athletes this much each season, don't they? I can't see this deal dying because of such a paltry amount of money. And while I am not a Harper fan, I can't blame him or his government for this.

Unfortunately I can see things from MLSE's perspective though. The Argos are not paying for the renovation so if the governments want them at BMO Field they can chip in. They can do this renovation with out the retractable seats to save money.