Does Cohon have the cojones to stand up to Braley?

[Mulder]

First of all, Madani's tweets last night are not about the Lions' current state. He's saying (as many others have said) that it was not David Braley who saved the Lions franchise as much as it was the guy he hired, Bob Ackles -- but he is saying it as context for the current Argo off-field woes, not as a comment on the current state of the Lions. The Lions' finances are irrelevant to this discussion.

In 2012 and 2013, the Argos were not facing eviction from their stadium, the owner hadn't stopped spending money (at least to the current extent) and the team hadn't just let go a front-office member who was largely responsible for ensuring media relations were positive in the face of great pressure among elements of the media to ignore or downgrade the CFL.

I'm not saying Madani is the definitive source of CFL info, and of course he works for Rogers. But anyone who thinks he's making stuff up simply to suit the Rogers agenda is ignoring the evidence of empty stands, low spending, a CEO who appears not to know the organization's plan to solve its ownership and stadium crisis, and a fan base whose most rabid members are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of the franchise.

Nothing about the Lions paul? I suggest you go back and read your own post posting his tweets.

Coincidence that both Braley teams are in last place in each of the #CFL East and West divisions?

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) July 27, 2014

He's directly attributing Braley owning B.C & the Argos as the reason why those teams are in last place in the division. Which is no difference than the previous 4 years when he owned both teams. And I was commenting as to the on field performance and not the off field issues.

[paulwoods13]

Nothing about the Lions paul? I suggest you go back and read your own post posting his tweets.

Coincidence that both Braley teams are in last place in each of the #CFL East and West divisions?

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) July 27, 2014

He's directly attributing Braley owning B.C & the Argos as the reason why those teams are in last place in the division. Which is no difference than the previous 4 years when he owned both teams. And I was commenting as to the on field performance and not the off field issues.

That's fine, but who gives a damn about the Lions? I care about how the Argos are being run, and right now it appears they are being run into the ground.

Here's what really matters in Madani's tweets:

Five skilled guys down on offense. Business side of the front office regressed into bankruptcy mode. And the #Argos are 1-4. #CFL #40Boats

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) July 27, 2014

This isn't on Milanovich or Barker. This is on Mr. Braley, Mr. Rudge and Mr. Bedford. So, incredibly shameful. Paging Mr. Cohon. #CFL #Argos

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) July 27, 2014

Everything else is secondary to the suggestion that the team is being operated in bankruptcy mode, and that it is affecting the football operation. People are free to believe he is making that up because he is a Rogers employee. IMO the evidence suggests that there is truth in what he wrote.

[Argocister]

.......... IMO the evidence suggests that there is truth in what he wrote.

Mmmmmm..... Coming from a science background, and I may just be totally naive..... But I do wonder what you consider as evidence. .... That they let go a long time employee? That Rudge says " I can't speak for Mr.Braley?" . That MLSE has postponed when the the BMO stadium will be ready for the Argos? I can think of many practical answers that are business related that responds to all of those events.
I'm sorry, but to me this is the grapevine or gossip feeding on its own, and TO loves its drama. Give me football, not drama thanks.

[Wobbler]

Mmmmmm..... Coming from a science background, and I may just be totally naive..... But I do wonder what you consider as evidence. .... That they let go a long time employee? That Rudge says " I can't speak for Mr.Braley?" . That MLSE has postponed when the the BMO stadium will be ready for the Argos? I can think of many practical answers that are business related that responds to all of those events.
I'm sorry, but to me this is the grapevine or gossip feeding on its own, and TO loves its drama. Give me football, not drama thanks.

Are you arguing that there is no problem, or that you don't care and would prefer to just watch the game? If it's the latter then that's fine of course.

If it's the former, then as a fellow scientist I question your interpretation. There are plenty of data suggesting a serious and growing organizational problem. It has been stated (by people familiar with team finances, like the commissioner) that the team has been losing money for years. Our owner has expressed limited interest in the team and consistent rumors indicate that he wants to sell soon. The Argonauts don't have a playing facility for 2018+, and have limited options. Now, we have a dramatic drop in attendance and solid evidence (Madani is a good source, and the staff cuts are on the public record) that front office expenses are being cut, perhaps to offset the lost gate revenue. On top of all that the team is terrible right now, so attendance is likely to *stay* low. I don't agree with the "shame on Braley" nonsense and to call it a crisis would be premature, but we've got some serious problems.

[Argocister]

Are you arguing that there is no problem, or that you don't care and would prefer to just watch the game? If it's the latter then that's fine of course.

I never said there was no problem .... I come on this site to learn more and discuss football. I don't think it is good on the forum to only engulf the negative aspects of the team. If you read the reply I made above you will see that I believe it is the rough road that the argos are on. I prefer more threads dedicated to the game and the players . I do not live in TO so I don't get to read all the articles in the local papers etc about the players and the game, but it seems we sometimes focus more on the ' drama' I believe the organization itself can influence the game.

If it's the former, then as a fellow scientist I question your interpretation. There are plenty of data suggesting a serious and growing organizational problem.

...... First off here, I have only been a major fan for the last 10 years or so.so in my limited involvement with the Argos, they have been on this losing money streak for all my time with the team. It is scary, but it seems as we are making some progress. It is a difficult market, not so much for gaining fans but for getting progress. We don't have the big money guys behind us... They want NFL.

It has been stated (by people familiar with team finances, like the commissioner) that the team has been losing money for years. Our owner has expressed limited interest in the team and consistent rumors indicate that he wants to sell soon.

..... That was Braleys intent all along. Buy the Argos save them for awhile but find a stable owner so that they don't have to go through the turnstile. Being around only the last number of years, that's fine and let's get onto the next stage. I don't have the history that many have on here, but right now that's life.

The Argonauts don't have a playing facility for 2018+, and have limited options. Now, we have a dramatic drop in attendance and solid evidence

See above reply to Paul

(Madani is a good source, ...... I have not been convinced that he is a good source.....I have my reasons ....

and the staff cuts are on the public record) that front office expenses are being cut,
...so I have heard about a staff member being cut .....has there been more? ....

perhaps to offset the lost gate revenue. ......now that's conjecture

On top of all that the team is terrible right now, so attendance is likely to *stay* low. I don't agree with the "shame on Braley" nonsense and to call it a crisis would be premature, but we've got some serious problems.

True about the team. And I hope the young receivers will click in sooner than later.

Braley is probably getting anxious to get the CFL stable. Braley is not getting any younger,and I'm sure he would like this stuff wrapped up so others don't have to do it for him. That would be worse.
He has helped out the Ticats....and after this stadium fiasco, they should be good. The Caretaker seems to have a good handle on the team and interest.
The Lions are relatively stable .... I think.
The Argos need to get over these hurdles.....Braley is just the money guy. To me he isn't interested in management. So I also don't go for the Shame on Braley comments.

I'm leaving this thread alone for awhile. As I mentioned before I'm more interested in football. I do believe a strong organization is needed but I also believe we are trekking there slowly and hopefully surely.

I'm excited to check out the new practice facility.....and to see how Scotty revamps the team. He's learning too... He had a nice ride up with Tressman prior to coming here.( I think there should be a Star Trek cartoon with Scott Milanovich being Scotty .... Good receiver? Beam him up Scotty)