‘We want every team in the league to hate our guts:’ Toronto Argonauts new boss says

[Kenners]

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com//sports/cfl/we-want-every-team-in-the-league-to-hate-our-guts-toronto-argonauts-new-boss-lays-out-vision-for-team


I know this article is several weeks old but I saw it on Facebook and wanted to comment. I think that idea is great. Friends from all over the country have often mentioned how they have a dislike for TO, the idea of building on that would be great. I also feel it would help bring fans in as the only thing that Torontonians do better than hating on itself is thinking it's better than everyone else lol. What do yall think?

[ArgoRavi]

The league is in better shape when there is a strong hate of the Argos among fans of the other eight teams. That is why the Argos are truly "Canada's Team".

[gilthethrill]

Does this include TFC already hating the Argos guts??? Haha

[Double Dare]

Whatever ...

[Argo57]

Nothing new here, the Argonauts and Riders are the most hated teams already.

[Will]

Nothing new here, the Argonauts and Riders are the most hated teams already.

The Roughriders used to be everybody's second favourite team, but have slowly climbed up to everyone's most hated team after the 2007 Grey Cup victory. The Argonauts are definitely hated in the east I do believe. A lot of people out west would say their eastern team is Hamilton believe it or not. I wouldn't underestimate the hatred for the Eskimos though (especially out west).

[Fumblitis]

The league is in better shape when there is a strong hate of the Argos among fans of the other eight teams. That is why the Argos are truly "Canada's Team".Ha! "Canada's team"? Good one Ravi but you must be thinking Jays...

[1argoholic]

The new young band wagon jumping PIL swilling Rider fans are HATED big time. The Argos and Toronto are HATED in the west. The new owner sounds like a TOOL in my books.

[Kenners]

Nothing new here, the Argonauts and Riders are the most hated teams already.

Toronto is hated in general by the country for its arrogance. a "Toronto-centric" belief that is carried by its citizens. I sadly fall under it. Willingly lol. But I liked the idea; it creates a strong sense of unity. Rather than having people dismiss the CFL in general there can be a draw of city-patriots defending their team....the idea of an Ottawa-ite or Hamiltonian or even BC'er saying they are better than a Torontonian in ANY aspect is typically taken as inconceivable! "The how dare they" effect.

I remember hearing about the Jays being "Canada's Team" on the radio, same with the Raps when they were in the playoffs and a host mentioned that when you're rooting for the Jays you're rooting for TORONTO....and the plethora of calls coming in agreeing with him was insane. Toronto has a TON of Arrogance that is it's pride, we just have to tap into it. Watching Toronto routinely show the rest of Canada that it's better, at least in a football game, would definitely bring up ticket sales.

just my opinion, though lol

[AngeloV]

Toronto is hated in general by the country for its arrogance. a "Toronto-centric" belief that is carried by its citizens.

Hey I have lived in Toronto my whole life, and I get annoyed by many that live here, so I get that.

[ArgoGabe22]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The new braintrust of Canada&#39;s Team! From left: John Murphy, Chris Jones, Jeremy O&#39;Day <a href="https://t.co/gLSn9HTddM">pic.twitter.com/gLSn9HTddM</a></p>&mdash; Rod Pedersen (@sportscage) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportscage/status/676841390312067072">December 15, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Correct <a href="https://t.co/kfyidbykHh">https://t.co/kfyidbykHh</a></p>&mdash; Rod Pedersen (@sportscage) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportscage/status/676843571400458240">December 15, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[R.J]

The City of Toronto is already hated and while I like the idea of being the most hated team in the CFL, I'd rather not be like the Roughriders and their fans.

[Scooter McCray]

It feels good to think the Argos are Canada's team but when we only have 3,000 season ticket holders and draw family and friends to Hamilton for our "home" games and the city is apathetic to the teams existence and wouldn't notice if they were gone that label is hard to stick IMO.

To me there are no excuses not to have supported this team over the last several seasons due to what the players overcame to win a championship and put winning seasons together. I have nothing but confidence that the new ownership group will fill BMO Field next year and the Argos will have a fighting chance to win again at home, but that will be with immense effort and focus. The Argos have to work twice as hard to get noticed within their own city. That does not scream Canada's team to me.

[doubleblue]

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com//sports/cfl/we-want-every-team-in-the-league-to-hate-our-guts-toronto-argonauts-new-boss-lays-out-vision-for-team


I know this article is several weeks old but I saw it on Facebook and wanted to comment. I think that idea is great. Friends from all over the country have often mentioned how they have a dislike for TO, the idea of building on that would be great. I also feel it would help bring fans in as the only thing that Torontonians do better than hating on itself is thinking it's better than everyone else lol. What do yall think?

I would say if the new owners really want the rest of the League to hate the Argos they should have Jim Barker hire all the top end talent from the other 8 teams he can.
Especially Hamilton players and Coaches. :)

[Fumblitis]

The City of Toronto is already hated and while I like the idea of being the most hated team in the CFL, I'd rather not be like the Roughriders and their fans.Try to understand our position. We watched this pitiful team for almost thirty years up until 2007. We watched a team that missed the playoffs eleven years in row. Besides the '89 cup we watched our beloved team get embarrassed, beaten and ridiculed for being the "lovable losers", and watched deep pocketed owners poach the few quality players we had throughout those years left and right. Is it right that some of us have a little more swagger because of the off and on field success we've had over the last eight years? Perhaps not. But it certainly doesn't break my heart to see that the scales have balanced. Snow Rogue, if you have such a beef with us why are you a member on our forum?

[Argo57]

Winning is the best way to have the rest of the leagues fans hate the Argonauts.

[R.J]

Try to understand our position. We watched this pitiful team for almost thirty years up until 2007. We watched a team that missed the playoffs eleven years in row. Besides the '89 cup we watched our beloved team get embarrassed, beaten and ridiculed for being the "lovable losers", and watched deep pocketed owners poach the few quality players we had throughout those years left and right. Is it right that some of us have a little more swagger because of the off and on field success we've had over the last eight years? Perhaps not. But it certainly doesn't break my heart to see that the scales have balanced. Snow Rogue, if you have such a beef with us why are you a member on our forum?
I have no beef with the Riders or their fans, the vast majority of fans I have met at games and Grey Cup weekends have been great. The Riderfans forum is one of my favourites, due to how engaged the fanbase is there and Rider Stronson is one of my favourite posters in the CFL forumverse. It's like anything else though, the few seem to ruin it for the majority. I admit I dislike the whole "Canada's Team" BS. Every CFL team plays in Canada, so there's not just one "Canada's Team". The Riders have come up from a situation similar to the Argonauts, where apathy, lack of engagement and passion came into play, I get that and Rider fans deserve to be happy about the team's success, but some (a very small amount of fans), seem to forget the past and how long it took for the Riders to find success again. So no beef, but I'd rather teams and their respective fanbases hate us for winning and not for having "swagger". Hopefully, I properly answered your question.

[Wobbler]

The league is in better shape when there is a strong hate of the Argos among fans of the other eight teams.
I like that part, but Copeland wants the Argos to hate themselves as well. That can't be healthy.

[Double Dare]

A love/hate relationship ... ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

[PullTogether73]

I like that part, but Copeland wants the Argos to hate themselves as well. That can't be healthy.

Where/when did Copeland say he wants the Argos to hate themselves?
First time I've heard that.

[Neely2005]

I always find it amusing how some people hate the city of Toronto but then cheer for the leafs, Raptors, Jays... especially Ticats fans.

[Will]

Where/when did Copeland say he wants the Argos to hate themselves?
First time I've heard that.

I believe Wobbler was making a joke.

[argolio]

I believe Wobbler was making a joke.Damn good one, too!

["Issues"Mcgee]

Reminds me of the vast majority of Toronto-born Habs fans. They hate Quebec, the city of Montreal and anything French in general, but they love the Canadiens hockey team.