Argofans

Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Fri Jun 05, 2026 10:17 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 05, 2026 5:26 pm

Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Fri Jun 05, 2026 5:12 pm I understand completely MLSE are netting out more by selling these home games. I just did not imagine that Rogers would be so brazen as to sell 1/3 of their home games. I can never accept that type of ownership as being acceptable. The league with the changes made and coming and now hope of a possible 10th team in Quebec City that will drive the new media deal higher still, Rogers will be in less and less of a position to make these decisions. Do they do this out of pure loathing of the Argos, or are they going to begin to operate them like a business? Because it is clear the CFL - the league they have looked down upon for so long, is beginning to be valued much more fairly and equitably.

Speaking of sad reality, I think the sale of three games was in fact a purely business decision. It was intended to do one thing and one thing only -- improve the bottom line (as you stated above). Unfortunately it was not a decision made with any time horizon other than 2026 in mind, and in the long run it might alienate enough existing fans, while ignoring/shunning potential new fans, to prove foolish and short-sighted.

We will see if this current version of the Argos are resilient enough to overcome this schedule. I think they are, but their depth is thin at o-line and running back so we will see. For ownership to pursue this strategy is neglectful. They make some money in 2026, but stopping any brand building in its tracks. Unless they plan on reinvesting that money back into the team, ownership intentions have to be considered hostile. IE selling the team.
Selling one of the games, nobody would notice. Maybe two could be. But 3 when the stadium is ready by mid July? Something else is going on. If the money made is NOT reinvested in some fashion back into the team I assume they are looking to get out. If so the CFL should accommodate that. That type of ownership is not needed. Every other team has enthusiastic, thoughtful owners who are pursuing growth of the game.

There is one other thing to remember. TSN, owned by Bell Media, stands to profit if the CFL is able to grow the game in Canada. Bell Media is Rogers' mortal enemy. Hence, no surprise that Rogers would have no serious interest in seeing the Argos/CFL prosper. Like I said above, I would bet money that Rogers ends up trying to unload the team once they have sole control of MLSE. Their only interest is therefore short-term i.e. in hoping they can wring more money out of the sale.

Good discussion on twitter about this. A discussion which started when I questioned why it takes 5 weeks after the final World Cup game for the Argos to get back home.

Final World Cup game in Toronto is July 2, Yet Argos don't play at BMO until August 6.
Speculation was that the stadium might be needed for contingency plans...and I thought that kind of makes sense. But then another poster brought attention to the fact that TFC is back home on July 16. In fact, TFC are back playing at BMO July 16, 22, 25 & 31.

As Paul Woods mentioned in the discussion there, MLSE made this decision to sell off games. It really wasn't necessary, but they chose to cut their losses. I guess at the end of the day, we should be happy they are taking the losses to keep the Argos going, but it still stings.

Here is the discussion if anyone is interested:
https://x.com/AngVarv/status/2064419358848291202

AngeloV wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 9:03 am Good discussion on twitter about this. A discussion which started when I questioned why it takes 5 weeks after the final World Cup game for the Argos to get back home.

Final World Cup game in Toronto is July 2, Yet Argos don't play at BMO until August 6.
Speculation was that the stadium might be needed for contingency plans...and I thought that kind of makes sense. But then another poster brought attention to the fact that TFC is back home on July 16. In fact, TFC are back playing at BMO July 16, 22, 25 & 31.

As Paul Woods mentioned in the discussion there, MLSE made this decision to sell off games. It really wasn't necessary, but they chose to cut their losses. I guess at the end of the day, we should be happy they are taking the losses to keep the Argos going, but it still stings.

Here is the discussion if anyone is interested:
https://x.com/AngVarv/status/2064419358848291202

I might be overthinking this. It may be true that FIFA needs BMO for contingency plans, but somehow still allows TFC to play games there because it's the same sport and wouldn't require any configuration changes?

Will wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 10:53 am

AngeloV wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 9:03 am Good discussion on twitter about this. A discussion which started when I questioned why it takes 5 weeks after the final World Cup game for the Argos to get back home.

Final World Cup game in Toronto is July 2, Yet Argos don't play at BMO until August 6.
Speculation was that the stadium might be needed for contingency plans...and I thought that kind of makes sense. But then another poster brought attention to the fact that TFC is back home on July 16. In fact, TFC are back playing at BMO July 16, 22, 25 & 31.

As Paul Woods mentioned in the discussion there, MLSE made this decision to sell off games. It really wasn't necessary, but they chose to cut their losses. I guess at the end of the day, we should be happy they are taking the losses to keep the Argos going, but it still stings.

Here is the discussion if anyone is interested:
https://x.com/AngVarv/status/2064419358848291202

I might be overthinking this. It may be true that FIFA needs BMO for contingency plans, but somehow still allows TFC to play games there because it's the same sport and wouldn't require any configuration changes?

I guess that is a possibility, but what would happen if they needed the contingency plans on the specific dates TFC has scheduled games? For that reason, I don't believe that to be the case.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 9:03 am TFC is back home on July 16. In fact, TFC are back playing at BMO July 16, 22, 25 & 31.

Hmm, I don't think that's right. The schedule at torontofc.ca shows that all those games are on the road. July 16 in Montreal, July 22 in New England, July 25 at DC, July 31 at New York City. First TFC home game back is Aug 15.

https://www.torontofc.ca/schedule/match ... 2026-06-10

It's my understanding that FIFA controls the stadium right through the end of July (plus some time after to take everything apart.)

shayman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2026 2:48 pm

AngeloV wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 9:03 am TFC is back home on July 16. In fact, TFC are back playing at BMO July 16, 22, 25 & 31.

Hmm, I don't think that's right. The schedule at torontofc.ca shows that all those games are on the road. July 16 in Montreal, July 22 in New England, July 25 at DC, July 31 at New York City. First TFC home game back is Aug 15.

https://www.torontofc.ca/schedule/match ... 2026-06-10

It's my understanding that FIFA controls the stadium right through the end of July (plus some time after to take everything apart.)

That's a good catch -- looking at TFC's schedule it's clear they are on the road for all of their July games. So it wasn't as simple as MLSE choosing to sell a game to Hamilton that could/should have been played at BMO. They did sell three games to opponents rather than choose options that might have been better for the team and its fans, but I'm willing to concede they are not as venal as I had thought.

That said, the July 22 TFC game is being played at Gillette Stadium, a.k.a. the "Boston Stadium" being used for the World Cup. The last WC game scheduled there is July 9 (just 13 days before TFC plays there). Whereas the last WC game at "Toronto Stadium" is on July 2 yet the Argos can't get back into their stadium until Aug. 6, five weeks after the last WC game.

Also, I was under the mistaken impression that there was a security perimeter or something all around BMO and nearby buildings during the World Cup, including the Coca-Cola Coliseum (because the Argos have moved their offices from the Coliseum to Guelph) but I see the Toronto Tempo have a home game there on Sunday and the Marlies have three Calder Cup games there next week.

Somehow I thought they'd have to relocate those too. I guess not.

I went in the Bike Brain for Health... the old Ride for Heart down the don Valley.... They had change the start location.... was a bit difficult on people who were not used to biking or not fit . .. I think the Honda Indy brings a lot of tourists to town.... its moved to Markham...

Ownership took the easy way out. Grabbed the bag of money, no effort or work around attempted or considered. Versus what Amar Doman does in BC under the same circumstances.

IF, MLSE keep that bag of money and don't use the windfall to better the team, grow the fanbase, etc than Rogers must be deemed a neglectful owner at best, and a hostile owner at worst given they have no skin in the game when it comes to CFL football and the Argos.

Given the new vision, and growth the league office has now, the momentum they're building eith the enthusiastic Ownership in every other market except this one, a decision is going to need to be made here should that bag of money be put towards something other than the Argos.

Scooter McCray wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 10:06 am Ownership took the easy way out. Grabbed the bag of money, no effort or work around attempted or considered. Versus what Amar Doman does in BC under the same circumstances.

IF, MLSE keep that bag of money and don't use the windfall to better the team, grow the fanbase, etc than Rogers must be deemed a neglectful owner at best, and a hostile owner at worst given they have no skin in the game when it comes to CFL football and the Argos.

Given the new vision, and growth the league office has now, the momentum they're building eith the enthusiastic Ownership in every other market except this one, a decision is going to need to be made here should that bag of money be put towards something other than the Argos.

It is what it is. What is the alternative? I don't see anybody stepping up to take the team off their hands. What's done is done, and we need to accept it. I apologize for bringing it up, especially given the misinformation I had on the TFC schedule. Admittedly, I didn't confirm their schedule...probably because they are nowhere on my list of things to care about.