2018 CFL TV Ratings

[Joe Barnes]

The Jays kicked the Argos out of the Dome so they could supposedly install a grass field and make changes to the stadium to make it more intimate for baseball. None of this has happened and now both teams are owned by parts of the same group. Would moving back to the Dome be possible and if so, would that move actually bring back a significant number of fans?

[Neely2005]

The Jays kicked the Argos out of the Dome so they could supposedly install a grass field and make changes to the stadium to make it more intimate for baseball. None of this has happened and now both teams are owned by parts of the same group. Would moving back to the Dome be possible and if so, would that move actually bring back a significant number of fans?

Personally I think that would be a step backwards but IIRC it's not possible as the Jays have a dirt infield now.

[Joe Barnes]

Personally I think that would be a step backwards but IIRC it's not possible as the Jays have a dirt infield now.

My point is really hypothetical and personally, I prefer BMO. I would not welcome a move like this, but if a significant number of old fans and some potential new fans are actually staying away due to BMO, and would attend games at the Dome, it's worth thinking about...attendance is just getting worse. The idea that BMO was the savior has been proven false, and the hip, Liberty Village crowd that attends soccer (and now rugby), are not coming yet. Will they ever? Besides, hipsters go to the Jays games, so the 'place to be' can be anywhere.

As far as the dirt infield goes...1) Is that any worse than the endzones now? 2) Could the infield be covered? I recall St. Louis had an astroturf field with a full dirt infield in the '70's (unlike the cut outs most stadiums had) and had a cover for the base paths, etc. when the football team played. Could something like that not be created?

[R.J]

Can't tailgate if you m9ve the Argos back to the Dome.

[Joe Barnes]

Can't tailgate if you m9ve the Argos back to the Dome.

That is true! I guess the question would be what brings more people to the game: a tailgate, or a climate controlled environment with nicer seats and a cup holder? And better TTC access (as in subway) to the stadium...

[ArgoGabe22]

That is true! I guess the question would be what brings more people to the game: a tailgate, or a climate controlled environment with nicer seats and a cup holder? And better TTC access (as in subway) to the stadium...

The Dome sucks for football. It was like playing in a shopping mall.

[Joe Barnes]

The Dome sucks for football. It was like playing in a shopping mall.

No argument from me! As I stated, I much prefer BMO. But the Argos, as a business, do have to analyze what works and what doesn't. As with any product, a company will pull or tweak something that is not connecting with consumers. If Argos at BMO is missing the mark but more people would attend at the Dome, then that would be the right move, for the sake of the business. Like the inferior VHS vs Sony's BetaMAx, which was superior...the majority wanted VHS so Sony eventually capitulated and sold VHS stuff, despite what the purists wanted...man, am I old...

[PullTogether73]

Of course, MLSE doesn't control Rogers Centre, so that might be a problem even though Rogers is now part owner of the Argonauts.
And then there is the scheduling issue.

[paulwoods13]

No to the dome. An absolutely horrible venue for football. Seats are miles from the field, curl away from the field in the middle, too shallow a pitch in the 100 level, no legroom and insufficient concessions in the 500 level, stifling atmosphere when roof is closed, roof has to be closed on gorgeous fall days, etc etc.

[Joe Barnes]

No to the dome. An absolutely horrible venue for football. Seats are miles from the field, curl away from the field in the middle, too shallow a pitch in the 100 level, no legroom and insufficient concessions in the 500 level, stifling atmosphere when roof is closed, roof has to be closed on gorgeous fall days, etc etc.

Agreed (again), the Dome was bad. So, in keeping loosely with the thread about TV ratings, how do we get some of those 'invisible' Argos fans, the ones who keep the ratings decent, (who may in the past have gone to games at the Dome but don't want to come down to BMO), to come down to BMO???

I know the thrust of promotion has been to get the younger crowd to games but it has not worked and seems to have kept the older crowd away, as well. What if instead of appealing to the young, they appealed to the old? Have old bands from the '70's or '80's perform at halftime (think Kim Mitchell, Goddo, Rik Emmett, Coney Hatch, Loverboy, April Wine - these old guys are all around and still perform). Play more classic rock than hip-hop between plays. Make it an old time, Metro Toronto night out? Many people think of the Argos as an old-white-guy thing anyway, so own it! Thing is, if people came down to an event like this, they would have fun, and that is all that counts! Would the older crowd come out for this celebration of their youth? I don't know, but it is worth a try - nothing else is getting people off of their couches. If it worked, and younger people saw more bodies in the stadium having a blast, regardless of demographic, they then might come and check it out.

The current in game presentation is fine but it is no different than anyone else is doing and not drawing new (or older) fans. Maybe a 'back to the future' approach might get those people (who are clearly watching at home) down to the games.

[PullTogether73]

No to the dome. An absolutely horrible venue for football. Seats are miles from the field, curl away from the field in the middle, too shallow a pitch in the 100 level, no legroom and insufficient concessions in the 500 level, stifling atmosphere when roof is closed, roof has to be closed on gorgeous fall days, etc etc.

I knew that I had no desire to return to the dome, but thanks Paul for listing ALL of the reasons why.
I had forgotten a few.

[gilthethrill]

Does no one remember this....the Argos were kicked out of the dome by the Jays??????

[Joe Barnes]

Does no one remember this....the Argos were kicked out of the dome by the Jays??????

Yes. That was before Rogers owned a piece of the Argos. It was also to make the Dome more baseball friendly (grass field), which has not happened. But we all agree BMO is better...it's just some Argo fans didn't make the move to BMO with the team and prefer to watch on TV now - hence the good ratings. How do we get some of them back to the games in person?

[ArgoGabe22]

How do we get some of them back to the games in person?

Having Tuesday night games at the dome? (Sarcasm)

[Joe Barnes]

Having Tuesday night games at the dome? (Sarcasm)

Only with bobblehead giveaways!

[macspectrum]

Yes. That was before Rogers owned a piece of the Argos. It was also to make the Dome more baseball friendly (grass field), which has not happened. But we all agree BMO is better...it's just some Argo fans didn't make the move to BMO with the team and prefer to watch on TV now - hence the good ratings. How do we get some of them back to the games in person?

' some Argo fans didn't make the move to BMO'
.
omg i laffed so hard ..... 9k at last game ..... 'some' .... that is so funny
.
dome was a much better venue - period
just watch eastern final w. john candy as part owner and 100th grey cup in skydome [both on youtube] to see what crowds were like
candy was on tonight show w/ carson and even tho' promoting a movie still talked a little football
he shamelessly promoted the argos and cfl
cfl needs some like him - i miss john candy - wally buono would have made a much better commish than ambroise who seems a coporate lackey
.
i cannot seem to find argo attendance figures in the dome w/ google

[paulwoods13]

Yes, 1991 eastern final and 2012 Grey Cup were great days in the history of the Toronto Argonauts. But that doesn't make SkyDome a good venue for football. And those crowds were the exception not the norm.

[Godfather]

I think one problem with argo attendance is that many people who are fans, and would like to go to games, can't find anyone to go with them - so they watch on TV instead.

Unfortunately Toronto (and many Canadians) think that they are too good for the CFL. By admitting they are an argo fan they are displaying how uncool they are (in the minds of many Torontonians). Many people get teased about their love of the CFL here in Toronto/Southern Ontario. Younger people are particularly susceptible to this. This could explain why CFL fans tend to be a bit older.

Toronto is a very insecure city with absolutely no culture. People here only get excited about things when other people, particularly americans, get excited about them.

Godfather

[Shatto]

BMO has many advantages over the Dome but the Dome does have a couple of big advantages-- 1) People can purchase ST's with the knowledge they can watch every game in comfort regardless of any inclement weather --2) Public transportation is better for most people

Could the team return to the Dome --highly unlikely. IMO that would happen only if certain conditions were to occur:
. If MLSE were to buy the Jays
or
.if the Jays are sold and the new owner moves the team to an American city
or
.Rogers builds a baseball specific stadium in Toronto

Any/all of the above are not very likely and as a result any discussion of the Argos moving back to the Dome, while interesting, is purely that --just an interesting discussion.

[paulwoods13]

Interesting is a generous assessment.