Argo Sale

[Argo57]

Ugh. MLSE & BMO Field. The worst of everything.

:-(

Actually the "worst of everything" is nobody stepping up to purchase this franchise.
As I have stated before at least this puts the franchise on solid financial ground for the first time in decades.
Expect a seriously "kicked up" marketing and merchandizing campaign moving forward. I myself had some initial hesitation regarding this ownership possibility but who can argue (from a business perspective) MLSE's success.
Having said all of this, their on ice-field products have been sadly lacking!!
Hopefully leave the Argonauts management team in place to continue doing their jobs, I think with Jim Barker and his crew the are in good hands.

[Downtownfan]

A few other things:

1. What is missing from this latest discussion is Mr. Braley's role in all this. The man has some pretty big cojones: He is basically triggering this deal by forcing the issue through his pursuit of a stadium, one that MLSE could not ignore (or disbelieve) for fear of losing their sports/entertainment monopoly and potentially creating a regional competitor in the suburbs. Braley has already made two stadium projects already happen (BC and THF), has more money than most people realize (he has given away about $60 million in the last 10 years that we know of, and the figure is probably a lot more-- can you imagine how much money he must have?), and has the sheer stubborness to do this (he answers to no one, unlike Tannenbaum, who has a board to deal with). Then, he turns around and dead-eyes MLSE, probably getting a pretty good deal for himself, and if other rumours posted on this board are correct, protecting the Argos and league by ensuring buy-back rights. Wow. Just wow.

2. The big loser is Rogers, and really the Jays. They totally screwed the pooch on the NFL (who screws up the NFL?), are about to have major egg on their face when the Bills likely pull out of the Toronto series, and lose whatever leverage they had for controlling football in Toronto. Moreover, when the Argos go out of the dome, they have no excuse not to put grass in-- which they claim the want to do, but probably realize is either unrealistic or massively expensive. But their fans are clamoring for it as a panacea for the franchise's problems. The Jays, with the biggest payroll in Canada and a last place finish to show for it, also just lost another 10% with the decline of the dollar. This team must lose immense amounts of money. Though they won the hockey rights, they probably overpaid. Bell/TSN now has money for football and other stuff, and won't lose the regional rights for the Leafs (which is where much of the value in hockey is). It also means less money for the Jays, who are quickly looking like the old maid in the baseall FA season, and won't have much of a compelling story line come the spring to get fans back in the seats.

Ironically, Rogers ends up owing the team they wanted to kill-- which is why they are being so stubborn at the MLSE board. But they will have to give in eventually, as Bell/Tannenbaum will make their own deal to buy the Argos, which would be an even worse outcome for them. Will see how the Argos schedule is after the announcement that MLSE and/or Tannenbaum owns the team.

3. There will be a few stages of media/public reaction to this deal. First, there will be disbelief-- how could they, why would they? Second, there will be false rationalization-- it's only for the NFL, its charity, its because the government made them do it, etc. There will also be outright hatred from quite a few TFC types and other anti-CFLers (which is already percolating if you bother to check out Red Patch Boys). But after a year or two, as the construction stuff gets worked out, there will be a whole new level of awareness of the Argos. It will be things like MLSE signage (even if they don't buy the team and Tannenbaum does, they will be tenants in BMO), apparel at Real Sports, cross-promotion, media, etc. MLSE will have two summer teams and three winter teams, and get close to 150 event days in the city. The Argos will benefit immensely from this association, and the new stadium experience will get "rave reviews" especially since the only comparison is the mausoleum at Rogers Centre (and this comes from someone who has been going to Argos games since 1978). Talk about a positive development.

4. Peddie was just on TSN radio, and while he is an asshat with the same schtick of "Argos don't make money, we didn't buy them" (ignoring changing realities of a new TV deal a revitalized franchise, and the draw of a 30,000 seat outdoor stadium), he did say that Tannenbaum "likes the Argos" and would have bought them in the past. Perhaps, with Tannenbaum as the new face of the franchise, this marks a new day of awareness etc. Maybe, just maybe, Tannenbaum will end up being a really good owner, along with MLSE.

[Ballstothewall]

If this is true, this is the best move for the Argos. MLSE ownership will push the Argos out in front of T.O fans. Imaging things like seeing Argo ads and Argo talk in the media, us Argo fans will be in a stAte of shock. You want leaf season tickets, guess what, now just like TFC and the Raptors, you will have to buy Argo season tickets

[Argo]

Thanks for the link, ArgoRavi, because as it happened, a bit of surfing from there led me to:
http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/blog
which arms one against the massive chronic fraud occurring in the olive oil industry.
While I had heard of this all-too-typical criminality before, I'd become complacent.
(I not only enjoy this oil for its flavour, but also consume it for its multiple significant health benefits. And I hope my fellow Argonauts fans do so as well.)

Ok, now back to the immanent (?) sale of the Argos...

Actually the "worst of everything" is nobody stepping up to purchase this franchise.

It's hard to argue with that statement.

As I have stated before at least this puts the franchise on solid financial ground for the first time in decades.

One would hope so.

[Argo57]

A few other things:

1. What is missing from this latest discussion is Mr. Braley's role in all this. The man has some pretty big cojones: He is basically triggering this deal by forcing the issue through his pursuit of a stadium, one that MLSE could not ignore (or disbelieve) for fear of losing their sports/entertainment monopoly and potentially creating a regional competitor in the suburbs. Braley has already made two stadium projects already happen (BC and THF), has more money than most people realize (he has given away about $60 million in the last 10 years that we know of, and the figure is probably a lot more-- can you imagine how much money he must have?), and has the sheer stubborness to do this (he answers to no one, unlike Tannenbaum, who has a board to deal with). Then, he turns around and dead-eyes MLSE, probably getting a pretty good deal for himself, and if other rumours posted on this board are correct, protecting the Argos and league by ensuring buy-back rights. Wow. Just wow.

2. The big loser is Rogers, and really the Jays. They totally screwed the pooch on the NFL (who screws up the NFL?), are about to have major egg on their face when the Bills likely pull out of the Toronto series, and lose whatever leverage they had for controlling football in Toronto. Moreover, when the Argos go out of the dome, they have no excuse not to put grass in-- which they claim the want to do, but probably realize is either unrealistic or massively expensive. But their fans are clamoring for it as a panacea for the franchise's problems. The Jays, with the biggest payroll in Canada and a last place finish to show for it, also just lost another 10% with the decline of the dollar. This team must lose immense amounts of money. Though they won the hockey rights, they probably overpaid. Bell/TSN now has money for football and other stuff, and won't lose the regional rights for the Leafs (which is where much of the value in hockey is). It also means less money for the Jays, who are quickly looking like the old maid in the baseall FA season, and won't have much of a compelling story line come the spring to get fans back in the seats.

Ironically, Rogers ends up owing the team they wanted to kill-- which is why they are being so stubborn at the MLSE board. But they will have to give in eventually, as Bell/Tannenbaum will make their own deal to buy the Argos, which would be an even worse outcome for them. Will see how the Argos schedule is after the announcement that MLSE and/or Tannenbaum owns the team.

3. There will be a few stages of media/public reaction to this deal. First, there will be disbelief-- how could they, why would they? Second, there will be false rationalization-- it's only for the NFL, its charity, its because the government made them do it, etc. There will also be outright hatred from quite a few TFC types and other anti-CFLers (which is already percolating if you bother to check out Red Patch Boys). But after a year or two, as the construction stuff gets worked out, there will be a whole new level of awareness of the Argos. It will be things like MLSE signage (even if they don't buy the team and Tannenbaum does, they will be tenants in BMO), apparel at Real Sports, cross-promotion, media, etc. MLSE will have two summer teams and three winter teams, and get close to 150 event days in the city. The Argos will benefit immensely from this association, and the new stadium experience will get "rave reviews" especially since the only comparison is the mausoleum at Rogers Centre (and this comes from someone who has been going to Argos games since 1978). Talk about a positive development.

4. Peddie was just on TSN radio, and while he is an asshat with the same schtick of "Argos don't make money, we didn't buy them" (ignoring changing realities of a new TV deal a revitalized franchise, and the draw of a 30,000 seat outdoor stadium), he did say that Tannenbaum "likes the Argos" and would have bought them in the past. Perhaps, with Tannenbaum as the new face of the franchise, this marks a new day of awareness etc. Maybe, just maybe, Tannenbaum will end up being a really good owner, along with MLSE.

Very well stated!!
One question you raised is worth considering.....Why don't Bell and Tannenbaum buy the Argos themselves without Rogers involvement if they simply don't like the team???

[Argo]

The big loser is Rogers, and really the Jays. They totally screwed the pooch on the NFL (who screws up the NFL?), are about to have major egg on their face when the Bills likely pull out of the Toronto series, and lose whatever leverage they had for controlling football in Toronto. Moreover, when the Argos go out of the dome, they have no excuse not to put grass in-- which they claim the want to do, but probably realize is either unrealistic or massively expensive. But their fans are clamoring for it as a panacea for the franchise's problems. The Jays, with the biggest payroll in Canada and a last place finish to show for it, also just lost another 10% with the decline of the dollar. This team must lose immense amounts of money. Though they won the hockey rights, they probably overpaid. Bell/TSN now has money for football and other stuff, and won't lose the regional rights for the Leafs (which is where much of the value in hockey is). It also means less money for the Jays, who are quickly looking like the old maid in the baseall FA season, and won't have much of a compelling story line come the spring to get fans back in the seats.

Ironically, Rogers ends up owing the team they wanted to kill-- which is why they are being so stubborn at the MLSE board. But they will have to give in eventually, as Bell/Tannenbaum will make their own deal to buy the Argos, which would be an even worse outcome for them. Will see how the Argos schedule is after the announcement that MLSE and/or Tannenbaum owns the team.

Gee, that's tough... Rogers... a Guy Cabellero monologue on "one of our finest corporations" comes to mind.

Peddie was just on TSN radio, and while he is an asshat

It's hard to argue with that statement.

[Downtownfan]

Very well stated!!
One question you raised is worth considering.....Why don't Bell and Tannenbaum buy the Argos themselves without Rogers involvement if they simply don't like the team???

Well, it is a lot cleaner and easier in terms of ownership (not to mention that the Argos would be outside all the benefits of being a part of MLSE). If it is just Bell/Tannenbaum, the Argos are still outside of the MLSE umbrella for marketing/promotion/head office, etc. But it also hurts Rogers because they miss out on future Argo/Grey Cup profits as a 37.5% owner of the team through MLSE. It makes Rogers the odd man out on the MLSE board, too, in some ways. This is why I think they will eventually cave and agree to the purchase. The Naylor article is a form of not so soft pressure-- Rogers is being portrayed as the obstructionists to a deal that Tim L., Larry T and just about everyone else wants (save for Rogers and die-hard TFC fans).

[gilthethrill]

If MLSE does purchase the Argos, a new practice facility will certainly help ink free agents and perhaps help keep key core players from testing the FA waters. Just so long as the suits stay away and let the current regime do their job, this could really benefit the Double Blue.

[294life]

Argos FC.......shudder.

[argotom]

Still though, MLSE is like the proverbial "wolf in charge of the hen house".

[rdavies]

Leiweke hints MLSE may buy Argonauts, with NFL also in mind
MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke gave a wide ranging speech Tuesday, touching on Drake, the CFL, Toronto sports culture and the ‘bloody big deal.’
Zoe McKnight Staff Reporter thestar.com Jan 28 2014

At a candid speech Tuesday night, Tim Leiweke — the MLSE CEO known for the kind of off-the-cuff comments that make communications staff nervous — may have hinted at a future deal between the company he directs and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

Leiweke has said MLSE is interested in paying for an expansion of city-owned BMO Field, and soon, to include a partial roof and more seats.

At the TIFF Bell Lightbox on Tuesday — the same day TSN published a report that talks between MLSE and current Argos owner David Braley were “heating up” — Leiweke said he’d be willing to share the refurbished field with a CFL team.

“We’re going to spend $120 million to build an English Premier (League)-style stadium, with a roof that covers the seats,” Leiweke said.

“Yeah, there are rumours there may be a CFL solution, but we’ll do it in a way you’ll never know there’s a CFL team when you’re there for a soccer game, and you’ll never know there’s a soccer team when you’re there for a CFL game. It’s engineering and we can fix that.”

Later, he said giving football fans a chance to watch games in the new stadium would help not only the CFL, but an eventual push for an NFL team.

“I think giving fans an opportunity to go see an Argos game outdoors in a stadium with a roof that covers the seat, in a 30,000-seat environment, with real grass, is awesome, and it will help turn that franchise around.

“So we’re going to start with that. There’s no way the NFL comes here without the CFL being unbelievably successful first.”

MLSE communications staff declined to comment further Tuesday night, as did the CFL.

Toronto Argos chairman and CEO Chris Rudge said while he couldn’t comment on any deal between the team’s owner and MLSE, he’d be happy to play at BMO Field.

After their Rogers Centre lease runs out in 2017, the team will need a new place to play, and Rudge said he’d be happy to return to Exhibition Place, the Argos’ former home, even as a tenant.

“I’d be delighted to hear someone would like to build us a home,” he said.

“If something more were to happen, that will work itself out,” he said, deferring to Braley and MLSE.

Another tidbit Leiweke let slip — throwing in an “am I going to get in trouble for doing this?” directed at his PR team — was a new program starting next NHL season to give away a “couple hundred” Leafs tickets each regular season game.

The tickets will go to the members of Leafs Nation, those who have never been able to afford the high ticket prices, who will attend a game for the first time as a guest of MLSE.

“We’ve got to introduce a new noise level, a new culture and a whole new generation of fans into that building,” he said.

Other future plans include involving Raptors global ambassador and hip hop megastar Drake in more MLSE business. MLSE wants to create a nightclub at the Air Canada Centre and Drake “might be a partner in that,” Leiweke said.

What it adds up to, he hopes, is the creation of a new culture among MLSE’s sports teams, starting with BMO Field.

“The city deserves it, our fans deserve it. And this is the message we’re sending all of our teams from this point on. We mean business. We want to win championships.”

Professional soccer will be as popular as the NHL in just a decade, Leiweke told the crowd of marketing professionals, which is partly why the company decided to shock the soccer world by spending tens of millions of dollars earlier this month to bring Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley to TFC.

The deal with American midfielder Bradley, the “heart and soul of U.S. national team,” even came as a surprise to U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who had told Leiweke the deal would never happen — in the midst of negotiations and just days before the papers were signed.

[Neely2005]

A few other things:

1. What is missing from this latest discussion is Mr. Braley's role in all this. The man has some pretty big cojones: He is basically triggering this deal by forcing the issue through his pursuit of a stadium, one that MLSE could not ignore (or disbelieve) for fear of losing their sports/entertainment monopoly and potentially creating a regional competitor in the suburbs. Braley has already made two stadium projects already happen (BC and THF), has more money than most people realize (he has given away about $60 million in the last 10 years that we know of, and the figure is probably a lot more-- can you imagine how much money he must have?), and has the sheer stubborness to do this (he answers to no one, unlike Tannenbaum, who has a board to deal with). Then, he turns around and dead-eyes MLSE, probably getting a pretty good deal for himself, and if other rumours posted on this board are correct, protecting the Argos and league by ensuring buy-back rights. Wow. Just wow.

2. The big loser is Rogers, and really the Jays. They totally screwed the pooch on the NFL (who screws up the NFL?), are about to have major egg on their face when the Bills likely pull out of the Toronto series, and lose whatever leverage they had for controlling football in Toronto. Moreover, when the Argos go out of the dome, they have no excuse not to put grass in-- which they claim the want to do, but probably realize is either unrealistic or massively expensive. But their fans are clamoring for it as a panacea for the franchise's problems. The Jays, with the biggest payroll in Canada and a last place finish to show for it, also just lost another 10% with the decline of the dollar. This team must lose immense amounts of money. Though they won the hockey rights, they probably overpaid. Bell/TSN now has money for football and other stuff, and won't lose the regional rights for the Leafs (which is where much of the value in hockey is). It also means less money for the Jays, who are quickly looking like the old maid in the baseall FA season, and won't have much of a compelling story line come the spring to get fans back in the seats.

Ironically, Rogers ends up owing the team they wanted to kill-- which is why they are being so stubborn at the MLSE board. But they will have to give in eventually, as Bell/Tannenbaum will make their own deal to buy the Argos, which would be an even worse outcome for them. Will see how the Argos schedule is after the announcement that MLSE and/or Tannenbaum owns the team.

3. There will be a few stages of media/public reaction to this deal. First, there will be disbelief-- how could they, why would they? Second, there will be false rationalization-- it's only for the NFL, its charity, its because the government made them do it, etc. There will also be outright hatred from quite a few TFC types and other anti-CFLers (which is already percolating if you bother to check out Red Patch Boys). But after a year or two, as the construction stuff gets worked out, there will be a whole new level of awareness of the Argos. It will be things like MLSE signage (even if they don't buy the team and Tannenbaum does, they will be tenants in BMO), apparel at Real Sports, cross-promotion, media, etc. MLSE will have two summer teams and three winter teams, and get close to 150 event days in the city. The Argos will benefit immensely from this association, and the new stadium experience will get "rave reviews" especially since the only comparison is the mausoleum at Rogers Centre (and this comes from someone who has been going to Argos games since 1978). Talk about a positive development.

4. Peddie was just on TSN radio, and while he is an asshat with the same schtick of "Argos don't make money, we didn't buy them" (ignoring changing realities of a new TV deal a revitalized franchise, and the draw of a 30,000 seat outdoor stadium), he did say that Tannenbaum "likes the Argos" and would have bought them in the past. Perhaps, with Tannenbaum as the new face of the franchise, this marks a new day of awareness etc. Maybe, just maybe, Tannenbaum will end up being a really good owner, along with MLSE.

Rogers already made back a significant portion of their investment by selling the French Language NHL Rights to TVA for $1.5 Billion:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle15642270/

Also through MLSE Rogers already owns part of the Regional rights for the leafs. They also own some regional rights for the Oilers, Flames and Canucks. In addition to that there's nothing that prohibits them on bidding on more NHL regional rights.

If this is true, this is the best move for the Argos. MLSE ownership will push the Argos out in front of T.O fans. Imaging things like seeing Argo ads and Argo talk in the media, us Argo fans will be in a stAte of shock. You want leaf season tickets, guess what, now just like TFC and the Raptors, you will have to buy Argo season tickets

That's not how it works now. If you have Platinum Leaf Season Tickets you just have to buy Raptors Season Tickets too.

[argos1873]

Hey everyone, back from the Philippines, but after 36 hours of travel, never too tired to post about this stuff. Ok maybe too tired to make a logical, well though out post, but that never stopped me before. I hate the idea of MLSE owning the Argos, but I think its the only way this is going to play out. Really who else is going to step up to the plate? Braley never wanted to own the Argos long term, and he's getting out of the game entirely anyhow, so what other choice do we have? I don't like the way MLSE runs franchises for the most part, but they got the cash to do things right if they choose to do so. And this will also solve (once and for all) the stadium debate. I know not everyone will be happy with the Argos playing at BMO, but how many are happy with them playing at Skydome? How many would be happy if they played in Downsview? The point is, you can please some of the people all the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time. At the very least, MLSE and a renovated BMO puts the long standing Argo stadium question to bed, once and for all. That alone is good for the franchise. How will MLSE treat the Argo franchise? That's yet to be seen, but I bet you they leave the day-to-day to the GM on this one. I bet you its actually more difficult to be a GM of a CFL team, than an NFL team. You can't just through money at a problem like you can in other big leagues. The MLSE brass aren't going to get involved so long as they see the results they expect to see. Just my 2 centavos.

[OV Argo]

Go Larry go! - what a potential great Argo owner - such a huge CFL fan and him and his corporate suit buddies will have the Argos/CFL interests first & foremost. What a dream scenario - the geniuses at MLSE to the Argos rescue.

Next up - the NFL will be all for abandoning most of their rules/traditions to adopt Canadian football rules, after they view how Larry and his crew have led the Argos to the football stratosphere

[argos1873]

Go Larry go! - what a potential great Argo owner - such a huge CFL fan and him and his corporate suit buddies will have the Argos/CFL interests first & foremost. What a dream scenario - the geniuses at MLSE to the Argos rescue.

And pro soccer will be as popular as hockey/ the NHL here within a decade? - oh really - LOL - just frickin' priceless. Next up - the NFL will be all for abandoning most of their rules/traditions to adopt Canadian football rules, after they view how Larry and his crew have led the Argos to the football stratosphere; plus there will be a 30 some team pro soccer league in the US with sold-out stadiums and a multi-billion dollar TV contract. Bottom line fascism rules !!!

I hear you, but who else is stepping up to the plate to "rescue" the Argos? For some silly reason I somewhat believe that the Argos being an MLSE owned team will give the Argos "credibility" among certain sheeple sports fans in Toronto. I know you may not like that as a self proclaimed Argos fanatic, but we've all been wanting butts in the seats one way or the other, and since the 60s and 70s are long gone, that wasn't just going to happen by itself. If you have another viable solution, I'm sure the board (this board) would love to hear it.

[OV Argo]

I hear you, but who else is stepping up to the plate to "rescue" the Argos? For some silly reason I somewhat believe that the Argos being an MLSE owned team will give the Argos "credibility" among certain sheeple sports fans in Toronto. I know you may not like that as a self proclaimed Argos fanatic, but we've all been wanting butts in the seats one way or the other, and since the 60s and 70s are long gone, that wasn't just going to happen by itself. If you have another viable solution, I'm sure the board (this board) would love to hear it.

Sure - I'll take a big hypothetical whirl at that one: Mr. Braley declines to sell the Argos to a money grubbing gaggle of corporate clowns who have no real interest in the Argos and the CFL (and in fact would love to see their demise (though maybe making a few bucks somehow in the meantime) on some ludicrous belief that this could open the doors to their dream of a world class, major league NFL team coming to Toronnawannabe land, or a better scene for the soccer snobs. The corporate entity thinks of the Argos as a quaint little "investment" that can help further their other priorities in the Toronna sports map - a nice little tool perhaps that could be folded whenever their bottom line bean counters tell them so.

Instead: some quite well-off $s local owners (see the new Ottawa team - probably the best $ resources team in the entire CFL now - local guys with big buck$ and commitment/history to the Ottawa community, plus some running a sports team smarts) are HEAVILY recruited to buying into the new CFL in TO - with a more stable league now plus a nice promise of much bigger TV revenue and increasing profile backed by smart marketing as incentive; AND - that new ownership group reaches out to the local community with some sort of a part community ownership model - selling some sort of shares in Argo ownership - with a relatively modest dollar commitment - so that real, average football/Argo fans could contribute to the team both in terms of financial help, and in having some sort of voting share on team policy and interests (contract endorsement of the GM, ticket prices, cheerleader outfits ;o), etc). And MAYBE an improving Argo fortunes leads to a new real Argo/Canadian football friendly stadium in the GTA - down the road, with some $$$ help from one or all of the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government; hey, we'd even let soccer or rugby or other sports play at the new facility, plus be open to concerts, Canada Day or other celebration parties or lots of other activities (not just designed for corporate profit).

What's that you say? - craziness, never work? OK then - just give in to the bottom line facists, and soon as possible - MLSE: what an amazing outfit - Larry, Curly and Moe in charge of the Argos - leading the Boatmen into this brave new century - that is until they are deemed not relevant or major league enough and can be folded as bottom line dictates.

And if Mr. Braley doesn't really care that much about the Argos future - sure he can sell the team to the highest bidder, if it's just about profits - he spent his money on the Argo/CFL (and maybe made some decent bucks on that 100th GC). Go ahead and sell the team to whoever is willing to pay the most i guess.

[argos1873]

Sure - I'll take a big hypothetical whirl at that one: Mr. Braley declines to sell the Argos to a money grubbing gaggle of corporate clowns who have no real interest in the Argos and the CFL (and in fact would love to see their demise (though maybe making a few bucks somehow in the meantime) on some ludicrous belief that this could open the doors to their dream of a world class, major league NFL team coming to Toronnawannabe land, or a better scene for the soccer snobs. The corporate entity thinks of the Argos as a quaint little "investment" that can help further their other priorities in the Toronna sports map - a nice little tool perhaps that could be folded whenever their bottom line bean counters tell them so.

Instead: some quite well-off $s local owners (see the new Ottawa team - probably the best $ resources team in the entire CFL now - local guys with big buck$ and commitment/history to the Ottawa community, plus some running a sports team smarts) are HEAVILY recruited to buying into the new CFL in TO - with a more stable league now plus a nice promise of much bigger TV revenue and increasing profile backed by smart marketing as incentive; AND - that new ownership group reaches out to the local community with some sort of a part community ownership model - selling some sort of shares in Argo ownership - with a relatively modest dollar commitment - so that real, average football/Argo fans could contribute to the team both in terms of financial help, and in having some sort of voting share on team policy and interests (contract endorsement of the GM, ticket prices, cheerleader outfits ;o), etc). And MAYBE an improving Argo fortunes leads to a new real Argo/Canadian football friendly stadium in the GTA - down the road, with some $$$ help from one or all of the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government; hey, we'd even let soccer or rugby or other sports play at the new facility, plus be open to concerts, Canada Day or other celebration parties or lots of other activities (not just designed for corporate profit).

What's that you say? - craziness, never work? OK then - just give in to the bottom line facists, and soon as possible - MLSE: what an amazing outfit - Larry, Curly and Moe in charge of the Argos - leading the Boatmen into this brave new century - that is until they are deemed not relevant or major league enough and can be folded as bottom line dictates.

And if Mr. Braley doesn't really care that much about the Argos future - sure he can sell the team to the highest bidder, if it's just about profits - he spent his money on the Argo/CFL (and maybe made some decent bucks on that 100th GC). Go ahead and sell the team to whoever is willing to pay the most i guess.

I like your ideas actually, especially the community ownership involvement. But hey, until someone with the bucks stands up to buy into that model, its candyland speak. I know that you are more than intelligent enough to know that. It could work, but who is stepping up to the plate? Right now we only have what MLSE offers. I'm sorry to say, but I believe its a lump it or leave it deal. Who else is stepping up to the plate?

[OV Argo]

I like your ideas actually, especially the community ownership involvement. But hey, until someone with the bucks stands up to buy into that model, its candyland speak. I know that you are more than intelligent enough to know that. It could work, but who is stepping up to the plate? Right now we only have what MLSE offers. I'm sorry to say, but I believe its a lump it or leave it deal. Who else is stepping up to the plate?

Who else has been asked to step up to the plate? - if it's all just about the highest bidder and Mr. Braley is desperate to sell (gouge) to the highest bidder, then hey, that's life in the world of big biz-ness these days i guess = bring on the corporate scum-bags - works so well in most other areas of modern day life.

You mean to tell me that there are no reasonably rich guys ( a collection of 3 or 5 of them say) in the GTA who are big Canadian football fans and who could come together and have interest in owning the Argos, in a growing CFL (new TV bucks have to be mentioned)? - takes multi-million$ does it? - what did Braley pay for the Argos? A demographic 5 times or more bigger than Ottawa (where such a group did form) has nothing to offer? Really ???, and this idea has been HEAVILY recruited there? IF - it is just about Mr. Braely seeling for maximum profit, then i could see any such potential group being out-bid by Larry and his corporate ilk. Way she goes i guess. (as Ray said to Bubbles).

[argos1873]

Who else has been asked to step up to the plate? - if it's all just about the highest bidder and Mr. Braley is desperate to sell (gouge) to the highest bidder, then hey, that's life in the world of big biz-ness these days i guess = bring on the corporate scum-bags - works so well in most other areas of modern day life.

You mean to tell me that there are no reasonably rich guys ( a collection of 3 or 5 of them say) in the GTA who are big Canadian football fans and who could come together and have interest in owning the Argos, in a growing CFL (new TV bucks have to be mentioned)? - takes multi-million$ does it? - what did Braley pay for the Argos? A demographic 5 times or more bigger than Ottawa (where such a group did form) has nothing to offer? Really ???, and this idea has been HEAVILY recruited there? IF - it is just about Mr. Braely seeling for maximum profit, then i could see any such potential group being out-bid by Larry and his corporate ilk. Way she goes i guess. (as Ray said to Bubbles).

Yes, way she goes I guess, since there has been no word of any other reasonably rich guys in the GTA willing to pony up the cash. But also I guess you are willing to sell your house or business to only the bidder who will take the best care, not the one who will offer the most cash. If that's so, I salute you man, but you know as well as I do, that's not the way the world works. But if you believe that Mr Braley only loves Canadian football, and he then sells to MLSE, then you might believe that Mr Braley isn't a fascist and is doing the right thing. But we all know that above Mr Braley's love of Canadian football, comes his love of money. Otherwise he might just be a regular poster here, or well on the Ti-Cats forum since he's really a Ti-Cat fan.

BTW when you sell your house, at least now in the GTA market, you don't ask someone to buy it, people buy it because they want it. If you say you are going to sell the Argos, which are a recognizable property in the GTA, you shouldn't have to ask anyone, if they are worth something. To me and you and countless fans they are worth something, but are they a valuable business? I would say given the history for the last 30 years they are not. You can ask me to buy your 1987 Hyundai Pony, I'll probably say no. But if you have a 1953 Corvette for sale, you probably won't have to put out too much word, they will come to you to buy it. Its hard to swallow but the Argos value wise are more like the 87 Pony. That may be fascism, but its the way the world works.

[R.J]

Peddie on TSN Drive with Dave Naylor and special guest host Dave Hodge.
Starts at 21:46.

http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/TSN...20Jan%2028.mp3