Argo telethon; is it time?

[argotom]

It seems how we the real fans of the CFL when looking back into the history of the Riders, continuously bring up recent history of the team on its deathbed with the saviour being the TV telethons in 1987 and 1997.
With Premier Wall's recent tweet of our poor attendance numbers, the telethon came out in one of the postings.
Most people mock that period of history as somehow being a dark cloud over the Riders.
For me, it was a rebirth.
Could we in this day and age do the same with the Argos.
Is it possible, would this city's US wannabe crowd and the vast majority anti CFL media really go nuts on the team and league.
Would it be a shaming thing?
Could we get a TV station to donate their valuable air time or to buy time during next year's season ticket drive?
Would fans seeing this as a true Canadiana loss potential come flocking to invest by buying tickets.
Would Bell and the current co owner Mr. Tannenbaum allow such a thing, or would they need to come out and give an ultimatum to the fans?
I know it's hypothetical, but really could it fly and one of those quirky things that make the CFL so unique.

[Neely2005]

Why on earth would we hold a telethon when we have the richest owners in the league?!?

[ArgoGabe22]

I would say this would be more appropriate during the Braley reign but now, no way.

[Joe Barnes]

Why on earth would we hold a telethon when we have the richest owners in the league?!?

We don't need the telethon but maybe Bell could spend some of their money. How about they buy an hour of airtime, in prime time, on CFTO - a station they own, so therefore DON"T need to buy time on, but, hear me out...Argos produce an hour long infomercial-type show chronicling the season and promoting the big game, combining live hosts (Mike Hogan? Jay and Dan? The blonde, female sideline reporter - don't know her name, sorry) and interviews with a mix of the player profiles (like the one on AK), and 'Game in 60's' and 'Motivationals' that they have on the team site. These are all beautifully shot and show the team and players in a first class way (Absolute Kudos to whoever puts them together, BTW). Expose the great personalities the team has: Bear Woods, Wilder Jr., Shawn Lemon, Marcus Ball...make it fun...Woods can play his guitar, Wynn his uke, i don't know!! Have an interview with Trestman, EASILY the most well spoken coach of a team in Toronto. The possibilities are endless. The players are there, the footage already shot over the course of the season is there. The TV studios are there, as is the money. All we need is the will...

[Neely2005]

We don't need the telethon but maybe Bell could spend some of their money. How about they buy an hour of airtime, in prime time, on CFTO - a station they own, so therefore DON"T need to buy time on, but, hear me out...Argos produce an hour long infomercial-type show chronicling the season and promoting the big game, combining live hosts (Mike Hogan? Jay and Dan? The blonde, female sideline reporter - don't know her name, sorry) and interviews with a mix of the player profiles (like the one on AK), and 'Game in 60's' and 'Motivationals' that they have on the team site. These are all beautifully shot and show the team and players in a first class way (Absolute Kudos to whoever puts them together, BTW). Expose the great personalities the team has: Bear Woods, Wilder Jr., Shawn Lemon, Marcus Ball...make it fun...Woods can play his guitar, Wynn his uke, i don't know!! Have an interview with Trestman, EASILY the most well spoken coach of a team in Toronto. The possibilities are endless. The players are there, the footage already shot over the course of the season is there. The TV studios are there, as is the money. All we need is the will...

That sounds more like an infomercial than a telethon.

[Will]

Significant differences between a community owned team like the 'Riders were in 1987 and the Argonauts who are owned by Larry Tanenbaum and Bell. A telethon will most certainly not be viewed credibly as a result.

[doubleblue]

If the Argos were community owned this might work.

[DoubleBlue_Red]

The problem here is that Bell who owns the Argonauts is also one of the biggest sponsors of TFC. All of TFC's media promotions are sponsored/ presented by Bell.

The biggest existential threat to the Argos unfortunately comes from TFC, more so even than the NFL, by absorbing fans from the younger demographic.

I don't think the media in Toronto however is biased toward the Argos. TSN gives substantial coverage to the Argos, more so than TFC, also one of their properties. Obviously, Sportsnet doesn't give the Argos as much coverage.

[Joe Barnes]

That sounds more like an infomercial than a telethon.

Yes, it is very much an infomercial. The team doesn't need saving but it does need an aggressive, myth shattering re-entry into the consciousness of Toronto. We all know Argos are world class athletes, the league is exciting, etc., but the myths that put the Argos/CFL down are well entrenched with the general public. Just moving to BMO is not enough! After 2 seasons of small crowds, that is obvious to all. As someone posted in a different thread, this is a crucial, transitional time in the history of the Argos. In this moment, we have a very attractive, charismatic group of players, led by an intelligent, articulate coach. There are great story lines to exploit: the return of Ray and Green to prominence, the emergence of Wilder Jr. after early struggles, AK the artist/philosopher, the D linemen (all of them!), the charismatic leadership of Ball and Woods, all led by the leadership guru Trestman, etc, etc...by far the most engaging group of athletes in the city. They just need the exposure. Selling tailgates and the fan experience is great, as far as it goes, but you can't engage the city with an anonymous team. The players are doing the job on the field - it's coming together, and they are the strongest selling point. Not as big name stars coming to T.O., as in the past, but as the interesting individuals they are, working together in the ultimate team game. It's these kind of stories that can set the Argos apart as people, and get people to check out the team. This is imperative to bring casual fans into the fold. But the time is now! This moment will pass. Push the playoff game with all they've got to get people interested. Win or lose on the field doesn't matter because either result can be used to further the story which you then tell, with another infomercial, on the eve of the 2018 season!

[timlb01]

Why not show the playoff game on CTV and TSN. Bump the news to CP24 like Bell does for the NFL. Grey Cup game should be on CTV along with TSN. To me this would be a start but it will not happen.

[Neely2005]

Why not show the playoff game on CTV and TSN. Bump the news to CP24 like Bell does for the NFL. Grey Cup game should be on CTV along with TSN. To me this would be a start but it will not happen.

The game is @ 1PM. They wouldn't even have to bump the news.

[AngeloV]

Why not show the playoff game on CTV and TSN. Bump the news to CP24 like Bell does for the NFL. Grey Cup game should be on CTV along with TSN. To me this would be a start but it will not happen.

We all agree it would be great, but I'm sure their objective is to totally control the market of viewers on these days. Like it or not, there are a lot of people that have no interest in the CFL, and buy splitting the coverage of NFL and CFL they get big advertising $$$ from both properties.

Definitely not saying I like it, but I can live with it.

[Scooter McCray]

They are owned by the largest media and telecom company in Canada. Cover the team. They should be doing it even if they didn't own them. What the hell are they afraid of?

[argotom]

They are owned by the largest media and telecom company in Canada. Cover the team. They should be doing it even if they didn't own them. What the hell are they afraid of?

I blame the previous commissionaires who negotiated the various TV deals that were brain dead for not having this crucial clause of showing all playoffs and the GC on the main CTV network or even simulcast on TSN.
As for why the Bell/CTV network does not see the wisdom of making such a move on their own, who knows but the conspiracy theorist in me would suggest there has been a move afoot by the various ad agencies that sell advertising time for the NFL to artificially keep the CFL down a notch on the pecking order by insisting it remains on the lesser viewed TSN cable system?
Hence more money for the NFL commercials.