When Buono says the Situation in BC is Bad, it's Disastrous - Thanks to Guess Who

[jerrym]

Going into the Lions final game of the season against the Argos, uncertainty about the future of the team still reigns.

B.C. closes a disappointing season by playing host to the Toronto Argonauts, who can secure the top spot in the East Division and a Nov. 19 home playoff date with a victory.
A B.C. win would give the idle Ottawa Redblacks the East.Buono, meanwhile, faces a far less glamorous end, admitting he doesn’t know if he’s retiring after a 15-year run with the Lions, but is nonetheless content if he’s about to coach his last game.The uncertainty over the future of the Lions’ coach and general manager has overshadowed the regular-season finale. Buono said he is purposely waiting until the season is over before discussing his future with owner David Braley, who has previously stated he won’t entertain sale discussions while potential concussion litigation is pending against the club.
Though the Lions have unveiled 2018 season-ticket-renewal plans, suggesting the club will remain in control of the Hamilton-based owner, the team’s head of football operations has nonetheless made it clear a vision for the club needs to be outlined quickly.
“I want to hear what the owner wants to do,” Buono said. “We’re in a situation that we need to clean up. Not that it’s not fixable — I need to burn the ship and get to a point where there’s no more season and I don’t have a contract to coach, then we discuss the next option.”

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/v...82316795306435

[jerrym]

Buono now says Braley intends to own the Lions through the 2018 season. When Wally announced this, reporters asked him to repeat it because the news came as a surprise since the signs were that the sale would occur early next year, after already being delayed from Grey Cup week. While this may be a fig leaf attempt to stabilize a rapidly deteriorating attendance situation, it is reminiscent of the problem the Argos faced as Braley dragged out the sale of the team indefinitely.

Wally Buono was asked to repeat his answer a second time, just so it was crystal clear. While discussing his own future with the B.C. Lions following a miserable campaign that started with sky-high expectations, the legendary head coach and general manager offered a surprising and unsolicited detail — David Braley plans to continue owning the team for the entirety of next season. ...

The "for sale" sign remains in the window, but as it stands Braley will be in control until at least the end of next season for a club that has seen a sharp decline in attendance over the last few years.
"David's very candid about the fact he will the owner in 2018," said Buono. "That's something that needs to be definite. We need to have definite direction. "It applies with David, with the business part of the organization and the football part of the organization."
Buono added his status will also be determined in the near future. "We need to address that very quickly," said the 67-year-old, who has been with the B.C. since 2003. "I need to sit down with the coaches to just give them some clarity on where we're at. Then the process will start with David."

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...350/story.html

[Mightygoose]

Well people have bee wanting have some clarity on the ownership front and now we just got it. Not the answer that's wanted.

Let's see the team is owned by someone running the team over 4000km away, no president, a lame duck GM and Coach who may not come back.

What top candidates would want to go there when the boss on top is there essentially on a year to year basis? Never mind this team will be at the bottom of any FA's list.

I can see why potential suitors have waned. Can't have a buyer without a serious seller.

[Scooter McCray]

This is unfortunate as we learned as Argo fans but really if he was running a NHL team like this who would care other than the fans of that team. We are just too sensitive when it is a CFL team and it translates into bad news for the league we all love. I hope he moves on sooner rather than later. Running a professional sports team is very different than running a part business. I thought his health issues last year would have sped this up.

In the NHL there is no shortage of markets Bettman can extort money from to move the bad franchises if he has to. The CFL is so small all of the fans are invested into its wellbeing. We want 10 franchises not 8 again. And 10 strong ones so critics no longer have ammunition.

[Antwon]

It's become painfully clear that Braley has no intentions of selling. He publicly stated the sale could not go through until the concussion lawsuit was settled. But it was reported that one interested buyer would work though that. Having seen this from an Argonaut perspective...this is bad for the league as a whole.
I feel bad for Buono, he probably wants to walk away due to the frustration of dealing with Braley. But then would feel like he's abandoning them as their worst moment.
As much as Braley has done for the league, he's all but ruined his legacy with what he did with the Argos and now the Lions!

[Scooter McCray]

It's become painfully clear that Braley has no intentions of selling. He publicly stated the sale could not go through until the concussion lawsuit was settled. But it was reported that one interested buyer would work though that. Having seen this from an Argonaut perspective...this is bad for the league as a whole.
I feel bad for Buono, he probably wants to walk away due to the frustration of dealing with Braley. But then would feel like he's abandoning them as their worst moment.
As much as Braley has done for the league, he's all but ruined his legacy with what he did with the Argos and now the Lions!

I agree 100%. I was grateful he saved the Argos, but then I saw he was getting every Grey Cup game, pocketing those revenues and cutting staff and not capitalizing on the 100th Grey Cup win in Toronto or the 99th Grey Cup win in Vancouver. He has torn down these franchises yet expects a big payout from a buyer who is only going to have to sink lots of capital into the Team to make it a going concern again. I hope the CFL steps in and demands he sell to a party now.

[AngeloV]

It's become painfully clear that Braley has no intentions of selling. He publicly stated the sale could not go through until the concussion lawsuit was settled. But it was reported that one interested buyer would work though that. Having seen this from an Argonaut perspective...this is bad for the league as a whole.
I feel bad for Buono, he probably wants to walk away due to the frustration of dealing with Braley. But then would feel like he's abandoning them as their worst moment.
As much as Braley has done for the league, he's all but ruined his legacy with what he did with the Argos and now the Lions!

That concussion excuse from Braley IMO is a cover up of the real reason he won't sell. He has likely overvalued the worth of the franchise, and nobody is giving him an offer which is in the same ball park of what he is looking for.

[R.J]

Still trying to figure out why this is in the Main Forum instead of the CFL forum ???

[jerrym]

The future of Braley and the BC Lions is still up in the air.

To recap, Braley has said there are three parties interested in the Lions. One of those is a local group headed by car magnate Moray Keith and insurance executive Mark Woodall, who’ve been involved with The Waterboys over the years.
They’re not as convinced there are two other entities competing for the team. They’ve also waited patiently as Braley worked his way through, ahem, the ‘process,’ but considering the magnitude of this deal and the many issues which need to be addressed, time is now of the essence.
For starters, the actual sale of the team is going to take 50 to 60 days to be finalized, and that’s if everything goes smoothly. The new owners will have to be vetted by the league. There are lawyers to be consulted and documents to be drawn up. The Lions’ lease with B.C. Place also expires at the end of this season, which means a new deal has to be negotiated with the landlords.
OK, let’s say all that can be concluded in a couple of months. That still takes us to mid-January and just weeks before the CFL’s free-agency period begins on Feb. 1. Crucial personnel decisions have to be made there. There is still the question over who coaches and who manages the new organization along with season-ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
These are all massive considerations for the new owners. Put it this way: They’re going to be asking their corporate sponsors to invest in the neighbourhood of 100 grand in their vision for the team.
It will be tricky making that ask if there isn’t a head coach or GM in place.
Buono, meanwhile, maintains he hasn’t fully made up his mind about next year. His contract as head coach and GM expires in February but there’s a provision to stay on as a consultant through August. He’s also left the door open about a possible return — you can never accuse Buono about painting himself into a corner — all of which raises more uncertainty.
Braley hasn’t helped there. The Lions have already restructured season-ticket prices for next year and sent out renewal forms. Maybe that qualifies as business as usual, but it’s not business as usual when Braley tells reporters he’s interviewed candidates for the Lions’ vacant presidency while he’s trying to sell the team.
That’s, of course, if he’s trying to sell the team. On top of everything else, there’s some thought that Braley likes the idea of owning the Lions and won’t sell. Without putting too fine an edge on things, that would be a disaster for this franchise.
As mentioned, The Waterboys have waited patiently as all this has unfolded around them. It’s been trying for them, trying for the organization and, most importantly, trying for the Lions’ fan base.
Buono, who’s acted as Braley’s human shield this year, has always said nothing good ever comes of losing and that’s true. But losing amid confusion over ownership, the general manager, the coach and team’s future is something else entirely.
It’s time to clear up that confusion.

http://theprovince.com/sports/footba...al-work-begins

[AngeloV]

The future of Braley and the BC Lions is still up in the air.



http://theprovince.com/sports/footba...al-work-begins

So after reading all that, I predict they will be a similar success story to the 2017 Argos.