Alouettes off field issues

[R.J]

An interesting tweet.

Many fans ask me why is Kavis Reed still the Als GM? The franchise’s financial situation is so fragile that the Als can’t afford to fire employees who are still under contract. This franchise needs an ownership change.

— Didier Orméjuste 🇭🇹 (@DidierRDS) February 28, 2019

[AngeloV]

Time to talk to the owners of the Montreal Canadians to buy this team.

[R.J]

Time to talk to the owners of the Montreal Canadians to buy this team.

I've heard there are 3 potential ownership groups in Montreal - Richard Speer's Group of Investors, a group involving the Molsons as a minority partner, and the Saputo's (I've heard there involvement would have to involved Government funding for stadium upgrades). It's getting to the point though where I think the League needs to seriously take a look at the Montreals and BC Lions ownership situations.

[R.J]

Didn't feel a new thread was necessary, but I think CFL fans will be interested in this:

For what it’s worth, I’ve been hearing for weeks #AlsMTL are on the verge of being sold. Although Andrew Wetenhall quashed my scenario at the jersey launch, the talk hasn’t subsided. Just sayin’

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) March 13, 2019

[Mightygoose]

Though an ownership change especially local is what I think this franchise needs, why would they go spend millions on a rebrand just to sell?

Usually that's what incoming owners do. Interesting times.

[gilthethrill]

Though an ownership change especially local is what I think this franchise needs, why would they go spend millions on a rebrand just to sell?

Usually that's what incoming owners do. Interesting times.

I thought the rebrand was a CFL initiated thing that all teams are going to do because New Era became the new uniform designers, but Montreal was a year early?

[R.J]

Here’s more details on what @HerbZurkowsky1 reported last night. Andrew Wetenhall has been trying to sell the Alouettes for a few months. I’m told the sale of the team could be imminent and some investors from the province of Quebec are interested in buying the Als. @CFL

— Didier Orméjuste 🇭🇹 (@DidierRDS) March 13, 2019

#MontreALS President Patrick Boivin refuses to comment on @MTLAlouettes #CFL sales rumors. #LCF via @RBoutinJDQ

— CFL News (@CFL_News) March 13, 2019

Interesting times indeed.

[Mightygoose]

Boivin refuses to comment? That's not a denial.

[R.J]

Information obtained by @TVASports, @CASinotte and @tvanouvelles indicate that there are three local groups of potential buyers for the @MTLAlouettes. #CFL #LCF #MontreALS via @poirieryvesTVA

— CFL News (@CFL_News) March 13, 2019

Concernant le dossier des #Als, il y aurait 3 groupes locaux intéressés.
Etienne Boulay fait partie d’un de ceux-ci
Eric Lapointe serait aussi intéressé de son côté.
La LCF serait impliquée dans le dossier.
La situation financière précaire de l’équipe complique la donne.

— CA Sinotte (@CASinotte) March 13, 2019

Translation: Concerning the #Als file , there would be 3 local groups interested. Etienne Boulay is part of one of these Eric Lapointe would also be interested on his side. The CFL would be involved in the file. The precarious financial situation of the team complicates the situation.

Un groupe local aurait fait une offre aux Wetenhall il y a 2 ans.

L’intérêt des proprio n’y était pas à l’époque mais la situation actuelle de l’équipe aurait changé la donne.

Les dettes de l’équipe représentent un obstacle au processus.

Plus de détails ce midi @LesPartants

— CA Sinotte (@CASinotte) March 13, 2019

Translation: A local group would have made an offer to Wetenhall 2 years ago. The interest of the owners was not there at the time but the current situation of the team would have changed the situation. The team's debts represent an obstacle to the process. More details this afternoon @ LesPartants

[R.J]

I’m also being told that this sale could happen by Monday. The Eric Lapointe group is extremely credible & have been down this road with the #Alouettes before. Their plan would involve additional infrastructure as the want the team to “have a home”https://t.co/ayaTOsbygW

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) March 14, 2019

Just conversed with a CFL industry source, there could be a third business group materializing in the bidding process to buy the Alouettes.

A lot of plots and twists. I will say this, this is far from over.#AlsMTL #CFL

— Moe Khan (@MoeKhan19) March 14, 2019

[AngeloV]

I wonder if Saputo Stadium can accommodate CFL field dimensions. It would be interesting to see if their soccer community would react the same way as the community here did if the MLS team and CFL team were to share 1 facility.

Edit: Looking at pictures, I don't think it can.

[Mightygoose]

Who knows, if the Impacts losses are what they claim and they don't get the tax breaks they're looking for the stadium expansion, Saputo may end up becoming available.

If the new local ownership succeed in reconnecting with the business community and fanbase, that will cut into the Impact's marketshare. Maybe even more with a possible Expos return. Landscape could change quickly.

[CFLfan]

Who knows, if the Impacts losses are what they claim and they don't get the tax breaks they're looking for the stadium expansion, Saputo may end up becoming available.

If the new local ownership succeed in reconnecting with the business community and fanbase, that will cut into the Impact's marketshare. Maybe even more with a possible Expos return. Landscape could change quickly.

The Impact aren't going anywhere, they averaged 21k in a 20k stadium. Just like in Toronto it's a separate fanbase, soccer fans are not football fans and will never show up for an Als game. The location is not good, you can attract soccer fans out there but not sure about football fans.
The talk is a shared baseball stadium with the return of the Expos and it will be close to the downtown at the Peel Basin

https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/02/1...-mlb-ballpark/

The Mayor is on-board and big business too, I think the baseball community wouldn't want to share with an Als football team. Just like the RC and the Argos, you have to fit into the baseball schedule and that means Tuesday/Wednesday night games etc

[Mightygoose]

The Impact aren't going anywhere, they averaged 21k in a 20k stadium. Just like in Toronto it's a separate fanbase, soccer fans are not football fans and will never show up for an Als game. The location is not good, you can attract soccer fans out there but not sure about football fans.
The talk is a shared baseball stadium with the return of the Expos and it will be close to the downtown at the Peel Basin

https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/02/1...-mlb-ballpark/

The Mayor is on-board and big business too, I think the baseball community wouldn't want to share with an Als football team. Just like the RC and the Argos, you have to fit into the baseball schedule and that means Tuesday/Wednesday night games etc

Despite the attendance the Impact have they lose 11 million a year per their owner

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montr...puto-1.4861845

Saputo stadium needs major upgrades to keep up with MLS standards and need major tax breaks to make it happen plus there's no incentive for the city to do so since it's privately owned.

Saputo's best move may be to buy the Als and leverage them with the city to make it a multi-purpose venue much like BMO.

[1971GreyCup]

Love Eric Lapointe’s passion for ownership of the Als and the CFL in Quebec.

Sounds like the Als face similar issues to what the Argos faced. According to Lapointe issue such as MLS stadium enhancements prior to discussions with the Als, recent lack of community engagement, etc.

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/montreal-69...ttes-1.1275545