Quote:
Originally Posted by osmo
Because logic doesn't equal profits. Montreal is the poster child of this new model and yet the ALs still don't make any money. Ownership got greedy and over estimated demand in expanding Molson and they haven't sold out a game since and now he has no leverage any more to increase ticket prices higher then normal.
It's different when the ownership is willing to write a cheque for his toy each year, but I've been saying that MLSE has no desire to go into a money loosing venture that would possibly hurt TFC which does make them money. Franchises aren't toys for MLSE, they make money from them. The Marlies are an exception because for logistical reasons it's worthwhile to have your minor league squad close and that is worth the expense.
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I would not look at Montreal as a case of a wealthy owner frittering away money on an unprofitable plaything. Sure, most of the expansion and renovation was paid for by the province and the city, but Wetenhall kicked in $6 million of the $29.4 million overall cost. Would you sink that kind of money into a stadium if all you were doing was losing money on the team?
The Als had a good run for a while where they had the a good chunk of the Montreal summer sports scene to themselves (apart from tennis and F1 which are short events), a small stadium which drove up demand and consequently let them raise ticket prices to some of the highest in the league (the cheapest single-game ticket between the 30 yard lines is $107.90, by contrast in Winnipeg you can sit in the upper deck at the 55 for just under $60 all in), and a bevy of corporate sponsorships. Perhaps they aren't profitable anymore now that they have to share the sports page with soccer combined with the fact that the team is now a dud for the first time in franchise history, but that is not really an indication of a chronic long-term problem with the franchise. If Wetenhall tries to sell, that to me would be a clearer indication that dark clouds are looming for the franchise. One Grey Cup game could wash away years of losses for him, so I doubt he's going anywhere soon.
All that being said, the Argos have a good model to follow. It would be far, far better if they had their own stadium in a better location than BMO, but considering the lack of alternatives BMO will have to do. They have to try... after all, what other choice is there?
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