Braley in no hurry to sell:
http://www.canada.com/sports/Braley+...521/story.html
I think the time has come to lock this thread!!
While I like the idea of the Argos playing in an intimate stadium on natural grass, some of the recent facts of the BMO deal are troubling.
The Argos need a caretaker/owner who is dedicated to preserve and promote the CFL and Canadian football. I'm not sure MLSE fits that bill.
For starters, it doesn't seem like they want to own the Argos very badly. I realize negotiations are ongoing and MLSE doesn't want to tip their hand, but these are the facts:
- MLSE held a board meeting in late December and they could not come to an agreement to purchase the Argos.
- MLSE CEO Leiweke said 3/14/14: "As to us buying them, on a stand-alone basis, we have no interest in the Argos. But because of the uniqueness of what we have to go through to get the stadium, we are certainly intertwined. The definition of intertwined is forthcoming."
- MLSE CEO Leiweke said 3/24/14: The MLSE board has approved the renovations, including "a CFL solution" as per the City's mandate. "It does not mean that our owners have approved us owning the Argos," added Leiweke. "That's still a separate decision and we'll follow their lead."
Then there's the lukewarm welcome Leiweke has laid out for the Argos at BMO. For example:
- only 2 Argo logos in the field which will be covered up for all other events.
- Argo banners and signage only on Argo game days, then will be removed.
- natural grass field with astroturf in the endzones (just like the Shreveport Pirates).
- probable lack of Argo revenue from concessions, parking, sponsorship signage, naming rights, etc.
- lack of designated tailgate area (which should be negotiated by ownership with CNE).
- CEO pushing for Argos games to be held the day after a TFC game, to maximize turf recovery time for next TFC game (but the fact is soccer is harder on grass than football, so where's the concern for a lush Argos field?)
- TFC is the prime tenant at BMO, the Argos are secondary.
- red seated stadium for the double blue?
Perhaps MLSE are the only ownership option but Argo fans need to be vigilant and vocal with their concerns, just like TFC fans who seem to have MLSE's ear.
Chad Kelly + Dan Adeboboye + David Ungerer + Damonte Coxie + DaVaris Daniels + Dejon Brissett = Unstoppable Force
BMO Field is property of the City of Toronto and your post is off topic. Can we please keep this thread dedicated to the sale of the Argos and the BMO Field stuff in the BMO Field thread, they are separate topics.
Sorry to activate this thread again.... Hopefully it stays on topic.
Has anyone heard or read anything? ...... From twitter .... CFL_news
"Word around is that David Braley has dropped his selling price for #Argos #CFL team ..." via @simmonssteve via @TheTorontoSun
1:24pm - 21 Apr 14
And just what is his asking price for the Argos? - i guess whatever he can get, but holding out for big bucks may limit this transaction to a big corporate entity like MLSE - who might be willing to over-pay to add the Argos as another pawn (i.e. not that important) in their empire.
I guess some are going to be happy with the Argos sold to whoever ?
Chad Kelly + Dan Adeboboye + David Ungerer + Damonte Coxie + DaVaris Daniels + Dejon Brissett = Unstoppable Force
>implying that it wasn't agreed to months ago.
#MAKEARGONAUTSGREATAGAIN
I'd imagine they are feverishly working behind the scenes negotiating a BMO lease until the May 15th deadline. If no deal, the Argos will have to look at building another stadium. I know it's "impossible" but most people said that about the Argos moving to BMO (because it was a soccer-only stadium and MLSE won't allow it and the City won't allow it and Soccer Canada won't allow it and MLS won't allow it and TFC fans won't allow it, and so on...I guess pigs can fly!)
If the Argos are moving to a new stadium next year, regardless of ownership they need to start marketing that soon. Normally in the season leading up to a new stadium, teams try to sell season ticket packages which guarantees them a similar seat next season. BMO has reduced capacity so there should be some demand for tickets. The Ticats successfully did this in 2012, selling ticket packages which guaranteed fans a seat at the Guelph and THF. The Ticats had over 90% capacity in 2012 and 13.
All we can confirm about the Argos sale is that MLSE is out as a stand-alone operator this season. MLSE still may be intertwined with the Argos leasing BMO or MLSE chairman Tannenbaum purchasing the team.
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