Argo Sale

[gilthethrill]

Ricky Foley....after today, perhaps my favorite Argo! Stupid Babcock announcement.....

[Fumblitis]

Ricky Foley....after today, perhaps my favorite Argo! Stupid Babcock announcement.....

You tell em Ricky!!! Perhaps my favourite former Rider!

[Stevoman]

Very pleased that things are finally getting done and the Argos can just focus on playing good football and provide their fans with a great game day experience. Long live the Argos and the CFL, a league mostly filled with players who truly play for the love of their sport. Because of this, I have always been proud to support the Argonauts and the CFL and this is much bigger news for me than Babcock to the Leafs even though I've been a life long Leaf fan.

[Invader]

Hmm...very strange deal indeed. Tanen-Bell takes over the team next year. The 2016 Grey Cup was already promised to Mr. Braley. It makes little sense for MLSE to spend $1M to erect a 15,000-seat temporary grandstand in the endzone at BMO to play the Grey Cup outdoors...while the 54,000-seat Skydome sits empty? Couldn't Rogers use the $50k rental fee? At least they'd get something out of this deal. Or will the game be played in Toronto at all? Will Argo season ticket purchasers in 2015 at Skydome get priority selection at BMO in 2016...with a different company running the team? The declaration that, naturally, ticket prices will increase next year smacks of a bit of arrogance. For what? Is BMO so expensive or luxurious compared to the billion-dollar (in 2015 dollars) retractable-roofed Skydome that they need to increase ticket prices? At least, they should have made it clear the new owners will honour commitments made to Argo season ticket holders and prices will be frozen for the first year at BMO...like the Ticats did successfully with the transition to THF. And what about tailgating? Argo fans need to speak up now and pressure MLSE & CNE to allow a "non-visible-alcohol" zone for fans to congregate before home games and BBQ up some smokies and burgers (gas bbq's only) and that fans will leave the tailgate zone as clean as they found it.

[Rich]

Argo fans need to speak up now and pressure MLSE & CNE to allow a "non-visible-alcohol" zone for fans to congregate before home games and BBQ up some smokies and burgers (gas bbq's only) and that fans will leave the tailgate zone as clean as they found it.

My understanding is that traditional tailgating is already allowed in certain parking sections around BMO. Ping told me. Maybe T-Bone or somebody else can confirm.

[jerrym]

Yeah, we just have to survive this season but at least the future is bright after this one. I have to give credit to Ron as he has been saying all along that any new owners would not assume ownership until the Argos were out of SkyDome.

Rogers would love it if Argo fans looked and felt miserable in the remaining season at the place that cannot be named. So, instead make every game a party atmosphere shouting ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGOOOOOS throughout the game to show Rogers they cannot defeat us. Then next year do this again at BMO, but even more so and louder.

[ArgoRavi]

Again, that idiot in the presser who had to bring up the stupid Leafs.

Ironically, AT, that "idiot" was David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail who was the beat writer for the Argos back in the 1990s IIRC. I agree that what he did was in poor taste and some of his tweets before and after the press conference didn't make him look good either.

[R.J]

The declaration that, naturally, ticket prices will increase next year smacks of a bit of arrogance. For what? Is BMO so expensive or luxurious compared to the billion-dollar (in 2015 dollars) retractable-roofed Skydome that they need to increase ticket prices? At least, they should have made it clear the new owners will honour commitments made to Argo season ticket holders and prices will be frozen for the first year at BMO...like the Ticats did successfully with the transition to THF.

I must have missed this part during the press conference.

[BATKINSON001]

I must have missed this part during the press conference.

I am sure they will announce something for seasons ticket holders at some point during the season.

[Neely2005]

Yeah, I was being sarcastic, but honestly have not listened to the 590 morning show since day 1 of TSN 1050. I was unaware of the racist comments he made. Incredible that a company as big as Rogers would hire someone with such baggage, but I guess they fancy themselves as being edgy.



Please, don't remind me of Derringer. The fan went downhill the minute they hired that clown. Sadly his brother and nephew work at 1050 (Brian Hayes being his nephew and I can't stand his too cool for the room attitude). The last good thing 590 had left was Tim and Sid and they replace them with Brady..the whole station is unlistenable..if that is in fact a word.

Toronto’s The Fan struggles with Dean Blundell’s new morning show:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle23886772/

The media has picked it up:

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/05/20...fs-coach-news#

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toront...onto-1.3081044

ARGOS PRESS CONFERENCE INTERRUPTED BY BABCOCK NEWS:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/a...-babcock-news/

Hmm...very strange deal indeed. Tanen-Bell takes over the team next year. The 2016 Grey Cup was already promised to Mr. Braley. It makes little sense for MLSE to spend $1M to erect a 15,000-seat temporary grandstand in the endzone at BMO to play the Grey Cup outdoors...while the 54,000-seat Skydome sits empty? Couldn't Rogers use the $50k rental fee? At least they'd get something out of this deal. Or will the game be played in Toronto at all? Will Argo season ticket purchasers in 2015 at Skydome get priority selection at BMO in 2016...with a different company running the team? The declaration that, naturally, ticket prices will increase next year smacks of a bit of arrogance. For what? Is BMO so expensive or luxurious compared to the billion-dollar (in 2015 dollars) retractable-roofed Skydome that they need to increase ticket prices? At least, they should have made it clear the new owners will honour commitments made to Argo season ticket holders and prices will be frozen for the first year at BMO...like the Ticats did successfully with the transition to THF. And what about tailgating? Argo fans need to speak up now and pressure MLSE & CNE to allow a "non-visible-alcohol" zone for fans to congregate before home games and BBQ up some smokies and burgers (gas bbq's only) and that fans will leave the tailgate zone as clean as they found it.

IIRC I read somewhere that the Argonauts pay about $100,000 per game to rent the Rogers Centre.

Ironically, AT, that "idiot" was David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail who was the beat writer for the Argos back in the 1990s IIRC. I agree that what he did was in poor taste and some of his tweets before and after the press conference didn't make him look good either.

Yeah his Tweets from yesterday don't make him look good. It's like he knows he screwed up but instead of admitting it and moving on he's become entrenched and is trying to defend a position that he knows is wrong.

Also is that really the best picture of himself that he could find for his Twitter profile picture?

[T-Bone]

My understanding is that traditional tailgating is already allowed in certain parking sections around BMO. Ping told me. Maybe T-Bone or somebody else can confirm.

I've heard that some RPB tailgate somewhere on the Exhibition grounds but I've never attended myself. As far as I know it is not organized in anyway by the team or MLSE because last I checked the Liquor License Act hasn't changed and having open alcohol outside of licensed areas is still illegal. I know tailgaters in the early days at BMO Field had issues with police ticketing and a letter was sent to season ticket holders to discourage it. I'm not sure if they are turning a blind eye to it now or if they have had any issues. The team blocks off the area between BMO Field and the Food Building on game days and encourages people to come there for pre-match drinks, food, etc.

[mchesher03]

not sure what the case will be at BMO but i can confirm at guelph I drank in the parking lot - my buddy the season ticket holder there just wanted us to use coffee travel mugs (i'm guessing they were advised to do so) - if out of sight out of mind works for this at BMO then I'm all for it. Seems there are bigger fish to fry then this unless any fools are driving home under the influence after..... (i guess they could be due to booze at the stadium too though in fairness)

[T-Bone]

not sure what the case will be at BMO but i can confirm at guelph I drank in the parking lot - my buddy the season ticket holder there just wanted us to use coffee travel mugs (i'm guessing they were advised to do so) - if out of sight out of mind works for this at BMO then I'm all for it. Seems there are bigger fish to fry then this unless any fools are driving home under the influence after..... (i guess they could be due to booze at the stadium too though in fairness)

I agree with you but the team or MLSE can't sanction this in any official capacity because of the law. Regarding this issue it might be a good idea to reach out to RBP as they have experience here as to how things are going.

[marcwagz]

I can't wait to go to the season opener at BMO field next year, its just to bad I have to wait through a whole season at the skydome again...
I hope the team improves... If they are good during that first BMO season I think we could have some good ticket sales!

[Stouffvillain]

My understanding is that traditional tailgating is already allowed in certain parking sections around BMO. Ping told me. Maybe T-Bone or somebody else can confirm.

I've heard that some RPB tailgate somewhere on the Exhibition grounds but I've never attended myself. As far as I know it is not organized in anyway by the team or MLSE because last I checked the Liquor License Act hasn't changed and having open alcohol outside of licensed areas is still illegal. I know tailgaters in the early days at BMO Field had issues with police ticketing and a letter was sent to season ticket holders to discourage it. I'm not sure if they are turning a blind eye to it now or if they have had any issues. The team blocks off the area between BMO Field and the Food Building on game days and encourages people to come there for pre-match drinks, food, etc.

The Red Patch Boys tailgate takes place in the east parking lot at BMO. The tailgates are 100% organized, paid for and operated by RPB. There is no alcohol served, sold or distributed by RPB during these tailgates.

There are the random individuals that also bring their own BBQ's and light them up pre-game. They are not a part of RPB and what they do is their own business.

[T-Bone]

The Red Patch Boys tailgate takes place in the east parking lot at BMO. The tailgates are 100% organized, paid for and operated by RPB. There is no alcohol served, sold or distributed by RPB during these tailgates.

There are the random individuals that also bring their own BBQ's and light them up pre-game. They are not a part of RPB and what they do is their own business.

Thanks for the info.

[R.J]

Would a team run beer garden be allowed to take place within the ex parking lot ?

[Neely2005]

Would a team run beer garden be allowed to take place within the ex parking lot ?

I don't see why not. IIRC there are beer gardens and casino games during the CNE.

[T-Bone]

Would a team run beer garden be allowed to take place within the ex parking lot ?

As long as it is permitted. They have to fence it in and have someone checking ID's I believe. Similar to what the Argos have done a few times outside Gate 11 at Rogers Centre. They essentially already do this with space between the north end of BMO Field and the Food Building.

[Stouffvillain]

T-Bone is right...you would have to obtain permits...which would probably be tricky since you aren't really renting a location. I don't know how you would clarify this or get the permits.

As a gathering point for Argo fans before a game a BBQ would be a great idea (especially in the early months of the season).