Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2026 3:29 pm
Do they want to? Argo success has always benefited other media entities, but BELL was a co-owner and took responsibility for the team. Let's hope they value long term how CFL are trying to grow league revenue. A do nothing owner leaves this team with untapped potential when it deserves an Amar Doman owner. Is there somebody like that out there?
Yes, an owner who gives a rat's butt about the team is a bummer. However, as Angelo pointed out, there isn't a better option at the moment (maybe there never will be).
I don’t know. Surely the new TV deal changes the equation A LOT for any potential buyer. The franchise could conceivably break even with current attendance levels. I can see potential buyers coming forward if the team was for sale.
The new TV deal is great, but not to the point where the Argos specifically won't be losing money. Each team is getting an additional 3 or 4M from it, and about 25% of that will go to the SMS, and maybe the coach and management cap might get some too.
As I said, it's great, but I think some people are really overestimating how much extra money it actually brings.
RichK wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 12:36 pmI don’t know. Surely the new TV deal changes the equation A LOT for any potential buyer. The franchise could conceivably break even with current attendance levels. I can see potential buyers coming forward if the team was for sale.
"Could conceivably break even" is not exactly a strong sales pitch. History suggests it would be very surprising if a smart business owner were to see the Argos as a financial opportunity, but I suppose stranger things have happened. (And since Doman and Peladeau are sure to be mentioned in response, let's remember that neither of those guys has to contend with NBA or MLB franchises, or WNBA for that matter. And while Doman seems in it for the long haul, I'm still not sure Peladeau is.)
RichK wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 12:36 pmI don’t know. Surely the new TV deal changes the equation A LOT for any potential buyer. The franchise could conceivably break even with current attendance levels. I can see potential buyers coming forward if the team was for sale.
"Could conceivably break even" is not exactly a strong sales pitch. History suggests it would be very surprising if a smart business owner were to see the Argos as a financial opportunity, but I suppose stranger things have happened. (And since Doman and Peladeau are sure to be mentioned in response, let's remember that neither of those guys has to contend with NBA or MLB franchises, or WNBA for that matter. And while Doman seems in it for the long haul, I'm still not sure Peladeau is.)
I never said anything about the Argos being a financial opportunity. I said the TV deal significantly changes the calculus for a potential buyer. The Argos will never make a lot of money, but now they may not lose a lot either. Which could very well suit a wealthy dilettante looking for a patriotic hobby, or a tax write-off, or something for his lazy son to get involved in. The point is the financial risks are a lot lower now with the new TV deal.
RichK wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 4:19 pm
I never said anything about the Argos being a financial opportunity. I said the TV deal significantly changes the calculus for a potential buyer. The Argos will never make a lot of money, but now they may not lose a lot either. Which could very well suit a wealthy dilettante looking for a patriotic hobby, or a tax write-off, or something for his lazy son to get involved in. The point is the financial risks are a lot lower now with the new TV deal.
Again, tho, Rich, it's asking a lot of any person (even a very rich one) to buy into something that "will never make a lot of money, but may not lose a lot either." Rich folks generally get that way by not throwing money at things that don't have at least a prospect of adding value. A wealthy dilletante looking for a hobby sounds a lot like Sherwood Schwarz (who managed to sustain losses for only three years before forcing the team into near-bankruptcy). Something for a lazy son to get involved in sounds like a recipe for disaster a la Feterik in Calgary.
RichK wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 4:19 pm
I never said anything about the Argos being a financial opportunity. I said the TV deal significantly changes the calculus for a potential buyer. The Argos will never make a lot of money, but now they may not lose a lot either. Which could very well suit a wealthy dilettante looking for a patriotic hobby, or a tax write-off, or something for his lazy son to get involved in. The point is the financial risks are a lot lower now with the new TV deal.
Again, tho, Rich, it's asking a lot of any person (even a very rich one) to buy into something that "will never make a lot of money, but may not lose a lot either." Rich folks generally get that way by not throwing money at things that don't have at least a prospect of adding value. A wealthy dilletante looking for a hobby sounds a lot like Sherwood Schwarz (who managed to sustain losses for only three years before forcing the team into near-bankruptcy). Something for a lazy son to get involved in sounds like a recipe for disaster a la Feterik in Calgary.
David Braley would have killed to have TV revenues like these coming in.
RichK wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 4:19 pm
I never said anything about the Argos being a financial opportunity. I said the TV deal significantly changes the calculus for a potential buyer. The Argos will never make a lot of money, but now they may not lose a lot either. Which could very well suit a wealthy dilettante looking for a patriotic hobby, or a tax write-off, or something for his lazy son to get involved in. The point is the financial risks are a lot lower now with the new TV deal.
Again, tho, Rich, it's asking a lot of any person (even a very rich one) to buy into something that "will never make a lot of money, but may not lose a lot either." Rich folks generally get that way by not throwing money at things that don't have at least a prospect of adding value. A wealthy dilletante looking for a hobby sounds a lot like Sherwood Schwarz (who managed to sustain losses for only three years before forcing the team into near-bankruptcy). Something for a lazy son to get involved in sounds like a recipe for disaster a la Feterik in Calgary.
David Braley would have killed to have TV revenues like these coming in.
Braley was great at saving franchises but terrible at growing them.
ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 10:46 pm
Braley was great at saving franchises but terrible at growing them.
It's hard to imagine Braley being considered an ideal type of owner. Yes, he had money. But he didn't want to spend it, and his stewardship of the Argos damaged the brand even while he kept the lights on.
ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2026 10:46 pm
Braley was great at saving franchises but terrible at growing them.
It's hard to imagine Braley being considered an ideal type of owner. Yes, he had money. But he didn't want to spend it, and his stewardship of the Argos damaged the brand even while he kept the lights on.
Braley, was similar to MLSE with Bell. Paid the bills and not much else. Without him the Argos are dead and buried, but the same can be said today and the last 10 years with MLSE. I complain about do nothing ownership, but I truly believe that with an owner who cares, and has deep pockets and is in for long haul that this team can be envy of the league and a model franchise on and off the field.
Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 8:58 amBraley, was similar to MLSE with Bell. Paid the bills and not much else. Without him the Argos are dead and buried, but the same can be said today and the last 10 years with MLSE. I complain about do nothing ownership, but I truly believe that with an owner who cares, and has deep pockets and is in for long haul that this team can be envy of the league and a model franchise on and off the field.
We'd all like that. I'm just not going to hold my breath expecting it.
Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2026 8:58 amBraley, was similar to MLSE with Bell. Paid the bills and not much else. Without him the Argos are dead and buried, but the same can be said today and the last 10 years with MLSE. I complain about do nothing ownership, but I truly believe that with an owner who cares, and has deep pockets and is in for long haul that this team can be envy of the league and a model franchise on and off the field.
We'd all like that. I'm just not going to hold my breath expecting it.
The fact that no one can even name a potential candidate for a better owner than MLSE is extremely telling.
It seems more likely to me that MLSE will start caring about the Argos one day.
