Would it be better for the franchise if we lost the Cup?

[Rich]

The theory goes that by losing the big game you build more pent-up hunger for a championship and therefore sell more tickets next year. As a fan, half the fun of a championship team is the journey getting there. Many new fans the Argos have won over during this playoff run will feel like they came late to the party -- like that boat already sailed -- if the Argos win on Sunday. But if we lose on Sunday, new fans and re-invigorated former fans may be more motivated to take the journey next year to be a part of things when the team finishes the job.

Historically attendance has dropped the years after the Argos won the Cup. Blue Jays attendance dropped pretty fast after their two championships. Many people argue even Leafs mania will dissipate once the Leafs finally win one. The old showbiz maxim says leave your audience wanting more, and surely this is a factor here too.

[jerrym]

Are you kidding me?

[rdavies]

I agree, it likely would be better for the future of the team to lose, as bad as that sounds

[Argo57]

No better way to get in the spotlight than winning the Grey Cup!

[paulwoods13]

You always want to win when given the opportunity -- and Argos usually do; six of the last seven times in the CG to be precise -- but losing the Grey Cup after a season like this would only intensify the team's striving for excellence. If we lose -- and for the record, I believe we will win -- I expect the 2018 Argos to win at least 12 games and become a team that every other team fears.

[R.J]

At this point in the rebuild, I'd say yes, it's probably better that the Argos don't win.

[rdavies]

At this point in the rebuild, I'd say yes, it's probably better that the Argos don't win.

Yup, just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm not a fan of Toronto sports teams. I loved the Leafs as a kid, don't really care for them now and don't like all the other Toronto teams.

But the Argos have been messed with by so many: media, TFC "fans", NFL trolls and at times themselves ie Braley, that you have to feel sorry for them. They are truly underdogs in their environment and deserve support.

[Mightygoose]

In a strange way, I agree long term it will be better business-wise if they fall short (Though I still want them to win).

I think at times, it's an easier task to sell a team in the rise and fans join for the journey to get there. We saw what happened after the Jays back to back wins and even the RedBlacks didn't sellout all of their games (though Barley) despite a win and a waitlist of season tickets, once they started to under perform.

It's a tougher task IMO if they reach the top of the mountain too early.

[Will]

"The money is in the chase" - GLOW

Dusty Rhodes used that logic by keeping the belt on heel Ric Flair. Vince McMahon did not and pushed babyface Hulk Hogan to the moon.

Which one is still in business?

[R.J]

"The money is in the chase" - GLOW

Dusty Rhodes used that logic by keeping the belt on heel Ric Flair. Vince McMahon did not and pushed babyface Hulk Hogan to the moon.

Which one is still in business?

Good point. I'm also reminded that when the Toronto Rock were winning Championships pretty much every year after the move from Hamilton, they were averaging over 15,000 a game. They're averaging under 10k now FWIW.

[RB957]

Sorry, I kind of get the points you are trying to make, but how is it better that we lose? We have lost enough, in so many ways, over the years. Go for the win, and then go for it again. I would hate that our players would read that we are discussing the benefits of them losing before the biggest game of the year, and for some, potentially their careers.

[jerrym]

The problem with the we're better off losing approach is that if you lose two in a row, whether the following year or several years down the line, the media starts jumping on you as choke artists and then putting a media damper on things when you subsequently have a good season. Go for it when you can and, as many an aging veteran who hasn't won anything says, you never know when you'll get another chance.

[rdavies]

"The money is in the chase" - GLOW

Dusty Rhodes used that logic by keeping the belt on heel Ric Flair. Vince McMahon did not and pushed babyface Hulk Hogan to the moon.

Which one is still in business?

Actually in the territory days where you often had to wrestle in the same town once a week, making Flair the champ was a good way to get him out of town, because he had the same match all the time.

Being the champ was often a burden because the guys who could draw money didn't need it and not many who didn't need the attention liked the idea of making maybe 350k (in the day) but working over 360 times a year. A guy like Nick Bockwinkel in his territory could work 200 times a year and make 200k so it depended on what you wanted out of life.

[rdavies]

Sorry, I kind of get the points you are trying to make, but how is it better that we lose? We have lost enough, in so many ways, over the years. Go for the win, and then go for it again. I would hate that our players would read that we are discussing the benefits of them losing before the biggest game of the year, and for some, potentially their careers.

Agreed, but as I am kinda looking from the outside in a win almost signifies mission accomplished and for the Argos the mission has barely started.

[ArgoGabe22]

Whatever happens, happens. Will never wish for the team to lose but if they do, that's reality.

[BATKINSON001]

As a fan i want them to win, I want the momentum to keep going so more people show up next year to watch the team play.

[argolio]

As the kids say, lol wut?

[Rich]

After watching the TFC game tonight I've changed my mind on this. There's some merit to the theory that losing the Cup would increase fan interest next year, but it doesn't factor in the fact that TFC is likely to win their championship this year. If TFC is going to win then the Argos should damn well win too. Our championship would take place before theirs, pre-empting their splash a bit, but it would ultimately group the Argos together with the TFC in the public consciousness as "Toronto's champions by the lake". This would do wonders for potential fan interest next year. Let's go Argos!

My only concern would be whether our victory parade was as well attended as TFC's because that would be important.

[AngeloV]

Unless you are the Hamilton Ti-Cats, Montreal Canadian or any other team I hate, It is NEVER better to lose.

[Bruro]

Without question this "built up hunger and popularity popping syndrome" after a championship can be pinpointed to the Argos in 1983. When they broke that 31 year old drought on that November night under the dome in Vancouver they were at their zenith. The whole city went nuts. (funny new Canadians to Canada that i tell this too dont believe me that the Argos were as popular as the Jays and Leafs in those days). After that though something happened. 1984 the team was just as successful (although they lost the eastern final that year) yet attendance was noticebly slipping and the Blue Jays were just getting competitive and "cool" factor went out with the Argos. By 87-88 the boatman were drawing half the fans they were 5 -7 years earlier. Lots of other factors too contributed to the argos demise but yes if they hadnt won in 83 maybe they would be drawing big crowds right through to the 90s