Orridge stepping down as CFL Commissioner today; TSN

[Will]

Nevertheless, it seemed the CFL was pretty dead in Ottawa for a time especially when I lived there while the Renegades were "suspended." Either people were in hibernation or Hunt did one hell of a job to galvanize the marketplace. I know of several people in Ottawa of the millennial generation who still won't give the CFL much of a chance (although they aren't outright hostile as argos1873 relates).

The inability to capture that market in Toronto remains the single biggest obstacle for the Argonauts, and what is the solution? It seems like the CFL hater in Toronto loves you to know he hates the CFL. How are you supposed to combat this?

[ArgoRavi]

Nevertheless, it seemed the CFL was pretty dead in Ottawa for a time especially when I lived there while the Renegades were "suspended." Either people were in hibernation or Hunt did one hell of a job to galvanize the marketplace. I know of several people in Ottawa of the millennial generation who still won't give the CFL much of a chance (although they aren't outright hostile as argos1873 relates).

The inability to capture that market in Toronto remains the single biggest obstacle for the Argonauts, and what is the solution? It seems like the CFL hater in Toronto loves you to know he hates the CFL. How are you supposed to combat this?

I lived in Ottawa for the better part of 12 years (1988-2000) which included the death of the Rough Riders following the 1996 season. I always felt that there was a solid base of about 13k CFL fans in that city but getting more to buy in regularly was challenging given how badly run the team was from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. However, I always knew that with the right ownership, Ottawa could thrive again in the CFL and that is exactly what has happened. IMO though, Ottawa is a very different city and market compared to Toronto. Toronto has this unhealthy (IMO) need to be "world-class" that Ottawa doesn't have and "world-class" and "CFL" just don't seem to go together for far too many Torontonians.

[argos1873]

I know of several people in Ottawa of the millennial generation who still won't give the CFL much of a chance (although they aren't outright hostile as argos1873 relates).

I think you misunderstood, I never met "hostility" in Ottawa regarding the CFL, although I have never discussed this with millenials. I was referring to Toronto.

[argos1873]

Also regarding the turn around in Ottawa, if they were to have plopped another team in old Frank Clair (had it not needed to be partially ripped down that is), and that's all they did, ala the Renegades, I don't think it would matter who owned the team. But with the new revamped stadium, but way more importantly what they did AROUND the stadium is a huge factor in the turn around. I've unfortunately yet to go there on game day, but its impressive at lunch time, in January, on a Tuesday, so I could only imagine what its like on game day. What they did there was completely amazing. When I was last in Ottawa in 2006 it was empty pavement. And if the ownership group had anything to do with that, props to them.

[Will]

Also regarding the turn around in Ottawa, if they were to have plopped another team in old Frank Clair (had it not needed to be partially ripped down that is), and that's all they did, ala the Renegades, I don't think it would matter who owned the team. But with the new revamped stadium, but way more importantly what they did AROUND the stadium is a huge factor in the turn around. I've unfortunately yet to go there on game day, but its impressive at lunch time, in January, on a Tuesday, so I could only imagine what its like on game day. What they did there was completely amazing. When I was last in Ottawa in 2006 it was empty pavement. And if the ownership group had anything to do with that, props to them.

It has transformed the area significantly. The Friends of Lansdowne must be crying in their Birkenstocks.

[1971GreyCup]

Also regarding the turn around in Ottawa, if they were to have plopped another team in old Frank Clair (had it not needed to be partially ripped down that is), and that's all they did, ala the Renegades, I don't think it would matter who owned the team. But with the new revamped stadium, but way more importantly what they did AROUND the stadium is a huge factor in the turn around. I've unfortunately yet to go there on game day, but its impressive at lunch time, in January, on a Tuesday, so I could only imagine what its like on game day. What they did there was completely amazing. When I was last in Ottawa in 2006 it was empty pavement. And if the ownership group had anything to do with that, props to them.

Like everything else in the RedBlacks' story, Jeff Hunt had EVERYTHING to do with the redevelopment of Landsdowne Park. Frank Clair Stafium, Ottawa 67s rink and residential and commercial development. Smart operator! I say Toronto scours Newfoundland for his twin brother?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Co...051/story.html

[Gill The Thrill]

Like everything else in the RedBlacks' story, Jeff Hunt had EVERYTHING to do with the redevelopment of Landsdowne Park. Frank Clair Stafium, Ottawa 67s rink and residential and commercial development. Smart operator! I say Toronto scours Newfoundland for his twin brother?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Co...051/story.html

It also didn't help the Toronto Argonauts that the perception of the club between 1989 and 2015 was that they were the red-headed step child playing at the baseball stadium that was built for the Blue Jays. Yah, there were a few big crowds there, but the Skydome never felt like the home of the Argos. From the horrible sightlines on many sections to the cavernous concourses, the Blue Jay signs and banners, to even the Buffalo Bills banners for several seasons. Thank God they are out of there.

Toronto sports fans have been a little spoiled with the shopping mall atmosphere at the dome, but if there was anything positive about the Argo season last year, it was the atmosphere of the crowd at many of the games, even if we do wished the numbers were higher at BMO. It was a nice place to be on most days, and it kept me staying even if the Argos were stinking up the joint on the field. With a better product, which will not be difficult to improve on, the numbers will gradually get better.

My only concern is the Argos not addressing some inflated pricing in several sections, which is evident when you see where season ticket packages have been sold. I'm not saying 55 yd line lower tier seats should be lowered in price, but maybe some upper level seating prices in the 25-35 yd lines should be.