CFL and Argos looking at solution for BMO end zone turf and attendance problems

[Joe Barnes]

What was done?
The football and baseball teams realized that sharing the facility was far from ideal and built their own stadiums.

I can't believe any football fan really wants to go back to Rogers Centre.

Agreed. BMO Field is a better facility to watch a football game in by just about every measure. The endzone turf issue will be worked out, somehow - the league has said it is not acceptable. The problem with BMO, as stated, is that fewer fans are going there for games than went to the Dome, no matter how you want to count the attendance. I think we can ALL agree that this is a BIG problem.

MLSE says it has a 10 year plan to rebuild the brand and fan base by bringing in new, younger fans. Let's trust that they know what they are doing - they are pretty good at it (filling arenas, that is - not necessarily winning, which is a whole other story). Patience is a good thing...

But what about right now? This year or next? How can we get the existing fan base, the ones who went to games before (Ex, Dome, wherever) but currently choose to watch from home, to come to BMO field even for a game or two? If even 5 percent of the 100 thousand or so viewers Argo games get on TSN came down, attendance would rise by 5 thousand people a game.

So, Argofans, give me 2 ideas (or more) to get the EXISTING fans back. Not new fans! The ones of a certain age, who have maybe forgotten the fun of a live game, are embarrassed to support CFL in Toronto, or whatever.

No negativity please! Let's put our collective heads together - we all love the team and want the stadium full.

[R.J]

Agreed. BMO Field is a better facility to watch a football game in by just about every measure. The endzone turf issue will be worked out, somehow - the league has said it is not acceptable. The problem with BMO, as stated, is that fewer fans are going there for games than went to the Dome, no matter how you want to count the attendance. I think we can ALL agree that this is a BIG problem.

MLSE says it has a 10 year plan to rebuild the brand and fan base by bringing in new, younger fans. Let's trust that they know what they are doing - they are pretty good at it (filling arenas, that is - not necessarily winning, which is a whole other story). Patience is a good thing...

But what about right now? This year or next? How can we get the existing fan base, the ones who went to games before (Ex, Dome, wherever) but currently choose to watch from home, to come to BMO field even for a game or two? If even 5 percent of the 100 thousand or so viewers Argo games get on TSN came down, attendance would rise by 5 thousand people a game.

So, Argofans, give me 2 ideas (or more) to get the EXISTING fans back. Not new fans! The ones of a certain age, who have maybe forgotten the fun of a live game, are embarrassed to support CFL in Toronto, or whatever.

No negativity please! Let's put our collective heads together - we all love the team and want the stadium full.

I'm far more concerned about MLSE bringing in new fans then bringing back the old fans. Lots MLSE has to do for that to happen; I made a list a couple of years ago now that could probably be tweaked with MLSE owning the team.
Big things for me are ensuring that BMO feels like the Argos home - having more permanent Argos signage etc throughout the stadium. I also think the EX should have Argo flags all over the place. Marketing would be another thing, and using MLSE resources along with the other teams for more Argos exposure. And, more time and money has to be put into growing youth football in the GTA - it's dying.

[Argo57]

I'm far more concerned about MLSE bringing in new fans then bringing back the old fans. Lots MLSE has to do for that to happen; I made a list a couple of years ago now that could probably be tweaked with MLSE owning the team.
Big things for me are ensuring that BMO feels like the Argos home - having more permanent Argos signage etc throughout the stadium. I also think the EX should have Argo flags all over the place. Marketing would be another thing, and using MLSE resources along with the other teams for more Argos exposure. And, more time and money has to be put into growing youth football in the GTA - it's dying.

Risk of concussions may be the biggest roadblock in rejuvenating participation in youth football.

[Joe Barnes]

Okay, here's my 2 cents..I'm repeating from what I posted the other day in another thread but here goes...

1) The Argos were last truly big in this city back in 1982 and '83. Let's celebrate that by having half time shows (on TV or not - doesn't matter) featuring Canadian bands that were big in that era and are still around. Think Kim Mitchell, Rik Emmett, Goddo, Coney Hatch...you get the idea) In my high school all of these bands AND the Argos were huge at this time. Maybe that gets more people in. Cater a bit to the existing fan base.
2) Keep the gimmicks (Kiss-Cam, Credit Card Contest, Wacky Videos) to a minimum, and for the TV timeouts only. For example, when there is a play being challenged, show us the replays - every angle. Have the emphasis on the football game, not following some script where the second the whistle blows the audience is overwhelmed by the next 'crazy event'. Last game, the officials had to wait for Sponge Bob before they could announce the result of a challenge. Eventually the ref gave up and just plowed on.
3)Have more game info (stats, etc) on the video board.

[Argo57]

Okay, here's my 2 cents..I'm repeating from what I posted the other day in another thread but here goes...

1) The Argos were last truly big in this city back in 1982 and '83. Let's celebrate that by having half time shows (on TV or not - doesn't matter) featuring Canadian bands that were big in that era and are still around. Think Kim Mitchell, Rik Emmett, Goddo, Coney Hatch...you get the idea) In my high school all of these bands AND the Argos were huge at this time. Maybe that gets more people in. Cater a bit to the existing fan base.
2) Keep the gimmicks (Kiss-Cam, Credit Card Contest, Wacky Videos) to a minimum, and for the TV timeouts only. For example, when there is a play being challenged, show us the replays - every angle. Have the emphasis on the football game, not following some script where the second the whistle blows the audience is overwhelmed by the next 'crazy event'. Last game, the officials had to wait for Sponge Bob before they could announce the result of a challenge. Eventually the ref gave up and just plowed on.
3)Have more game info (stats, etc) on the video board.

I’m old school and miss the days of Fred Locking announcing the play results in the old stadium.
The game was the attraction and in itself created the atmosphere, you could carry on a conversation without booming noise and all of the other crap they offer these days.
Realizing those days are gone the in game “stuff” seems a little forced and artificial to me.

[PullTogether73]

I’m old school and miss the days of Fred Locking announcing the play results in the old stadium.
The game was the attraction and in itself created the atmosphere, you could carry on a conversation without booming noise and all of the other crap they offer these days.
Realizing those days are gone the in game “stuff” seems a little forced and artificial to me.

I'm not usually sentimental, but I have to admit that it was great to hear Fred Locking's voice when the Argos paid tribute to the 1983 Grey Cup championship team a few years ago.
Introducing Condredge Holloway as "The Artful Dodger" sure took me back.

[Shatto]

Joe B has posed an interesting question re attracting those who used to attend games but no longer do. He also made a couple of intriguing suggestions, so I'll add my thoughts:
.As RJ correctly stated--when one walks into BMO for an Argo game, the fan should feel like an Argo home--permanent signage etc
.Why not contact previous season holders and offer them real incentives to comedown to a game---a)come down to a game and receive tickets to a second game free b)a chance to win a luxury suite for friends and family I'm sure others could come up with even better suggestions

Look forward to suggestions from others.