Stadiums and Arenas of Canada - Page 541

YoungRepublic · #**10801** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

They're getting there, although obviously the winning helps sell tickets. I don't think the fanbase is built to weather the storms that might come up in the future, at least not yet.

They've managed to weathered the storm throughout their short existence. Just look at their pathetic history. I mean, they've only made the playoffs six times and they've made it past the first round of the playoffs only once. They also have an embarrassing history of their top players wanting to leave because not only were the Raps utter —, but they also had little to no media exposure in the US, which for many American players seems to be a big deal. Remember the fall Vinsanity? If we can get over that, we can weather any storm. The Raptors are still a young team and they're still building/growing. They sky is the limit for the NBA in Toronto. The team will be more than fine.

esquire · #**10802** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by khabibulin

All the CFL games I attend, during hot summer days, always feature lots of shirtless, boisterous, usually a bit tippsy, young men, and lots of hot young women. Just anecdotal, but thought I would share anyways.

Yeah, sounds like osmo and mistercorporate could stand to visit the Rum Hut at Investors Group Field this July... that will put to rest the nonsense about old people at CFL games.

mistercorporate · #**10803** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Yeah, sounds like osmo and mistercorporate could stand to visit the Rum Hut at Investors Group Field this July... that will put to rest the nonsense about old people at CFL games.

Obviously the Prairies will have proportionately more young people focused in on CFL. During the summer and fall it's the only game in town in the provinces between BC and Ontario. A young sports fan in Toronto during Summer and Fall has to decide between Toronto FC, Toronto Blue Jays, Buffalo Bills, Hamilton Tigercats, Toronto Argos and now TFC2 (USL). There's just way more competition. During the Summer the Jays get most of the young women and TFC the boisterous young men, then in Winter they move onto the Raps or Leafs if that's their thing. Doesn't change the fact that CFL fans in this country average 54 years of age, which is the upper limit of TFC fans. Nothing wrong with that, I love partying with the old guys as much as the young ones but it does say something about growth trends. That being said, the Raptors clearly have the youngest fan base.

VANRIDERFAN · #**10804** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Obviously the Prairies will have proportionately more young people focused in on CFL. During the summer and fall it's the only game in town in the provinces between BC and Ontario. A young sports fan in Toronto during Summer and Fall has to decide between Toronto FC, Toronto Blue Jays, Buffalo Bills, Hamilton Tigercats, Toronto Argos and now TFC2 (USL). There's just way more competition. During the Summer the Jays get most of the young women and TFC the boisterous young men, then in Winter they move onto the Raps or Leafs if that's their thing. Doesn't change the fact that CFL fans in this country average 54 years of age, which is the upper limit of TFC fans. Nothing wrong with that, I love partying with the old guys as much as the young ones but it does say something about growth trends. That being said, the Raptors clearly have the youngest fan base.

Yes cause there is nothing else to do except; the cottage, music festivals, the beach, baseball, rodeos, Jr Hockey, NHL hockey, going down to Minnesota, Denver, Chicago and Seattle for NFL or MLB.
Because only Toronto and Vancouver have other things to do besides going to see a CFL game.
Give your head a shake.

osmo · #**10805** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by khabibulin

All the CFL games I attend, during hot summer days, always feature lots of shirtless, boisterous, usually a bit tippsy, young men, and lots of hot young women. Just anecdotal, but thought I would share anyways.

Well I shouldn't generalize, as in Saskatchewan it isn't uncommon to see young people at the games, depending on the market you will see young and old at the games but overall the league has a older fan base versus the others.

khabibulin · #**10806** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Yes cause there is nothing else to do except; the cottage, music festivals, the beach, baseball, rodeos, Jr Hockey, NHL hockey, going down to Minnesota, Denver, Chicago and Seattle for NFL or MLB.
Because only Toronto and Vancouver have other things to do besides going to see a CFL game.
Give your head a shake.

^^^

.

Acajack · #**10807** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:54 PM**

I went to see the Ottawa RedBlacks last summer and the crowd was of all ages as well. However I have not gone to see the Ottawa Fury (NASL so 2nd division) yet so I cannot compare.

khabibulin · #**10808** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

Well I shouldn't generalize, as in Saskatchewan it isn't uncommon to see young people at the games, depending on the market you will see young and old at the games but overall the league has a older fan base versus the others.

Wearing watermelons on your head is definately a young mans game!!

mistercorporate · #**10809** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 6:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Yes cause there is nothing else to do except; the cottage, music festivals, the beach, baseball, rodeos, Jr Hockey, NHL hockey, going down to Minnesota, Denver, Chicago and Seattle for NFL or MLB.
Because only Toronto and Vancouver have other things to do besides going to see a CFL game.
Give your head a shake.

I was referring to professional sports, hence the "sports fan" qualification. There's NHL in July-September?? People drive from Calgary to Seattle for MLB?? What's the driving distance between Winnipeg and Minneapolis, 7 hours for an NFL game?? Clearly I wasn't saying there wasn't other things to do, just explaining the engagement of young people into CFL in the provinces between Ontario and BC. If a MLB/MLS team moved in and was sustainable in any prairie city, I guarantee you it would change the attendance culture for young people. Many people have pointed to the appearance of the Blue Jays for eating into the Argos fanbase.

Prometheus · #**10810** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Doesn't change the fact that CFL fans in this country average 54 years of age, which is the upper limit of TFC fans.

MLS is the least followed league in every age demographic:

Angus Reid Institute: http://angusreid.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/CFL-Grey-Cup-2014.pdf

esquire · #**10811** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:13 PM**

I don't think there is any denying that the CFL fanbase is generally a bit older than, say the NBA or MLS fanbases in Canada, that's a valid comment for sure. But Toronto is really the only place where there is a noticeable shortage of young people, except for the small clumps of blue-face painted superfans, and the larger clumps of freebie ticket holders who you can easily spot on TV because there will be like 100 of them with barely a stitch of Argonaut-logoed clothing on anyone.

The markedly older fanbase is really more of an Argonauts thing than a CFL one IMO.

elly63 · #**10812** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

The markedly older fanbase is really more of an Argonauts thing than a CFL one IMO.

Amen, the nay sayers keep saying Ontario when they mean Toronto. Ottawa and Hamilton are having no problems attracting younger people.

Lookin' good for 54

Prometheus · #**10813** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Unit

US TV deals and international marketing are what drives MLSE to own certain franchise, not canadian viewership. "Growth potential" within the canadian TV context is largely irrelevant.

That's interesting you should mention that. Even in the US, viewership for the Canadian Football League appears to be surpassing MLS: CFL Getting Better Ratings Than MLS on ESPN2

mistercorporate · #**10814** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:35 PM**

Hamilton/Ottawa also underline the same point. The only professional sports teams in town in the summer are CFL and in Ottawa's case also the Fury (but they draw around 5,000 so aren't much competition).

ESPN viewer ratings are irrelevant. I have the full sports package on Rogers but never watch games on TV. As much as it annoys people, many of us either watch in person or watch on MLS Live, it's just more convenient.

elly63 · #**10815** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

ESPN viewer ratings are irrelevant. I have the full sports package on Rogers but never watch games on TV. As much as it annoys people, many of us either watch in person or watch on MLS Live, it's just more convenient.

Same hilarious argument, all other sports fans are too stupid to have an Internet connection and know how to use it. Yes, we deprived provincials have nothing else to do and no choices as compared to the privileged Torontonians. Woe is us! (Forearm rising to meet forehead)

YoungRepublic · #**10816** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by khabibulin

All the CFL games I attend, during hot summer days, always feature lots of shirtless, boisterous, usually a bit tippsy, young men, and lots of hot young women. Just anecdotal, but thought I would share anyways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Hey! Don't you dare bring up facts when you talking about the "Aged CFL fan base"!

Vanrider, I think you meant anecdotes. The average CFL fan is in older.

Quote:

The CFL’s fanbase is also getting older, with an average age of 54.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/organizers-...n-eve-of-grey-cup-in-vancouver-1.2125564

No one thinks that every one of them is in their 50s, but it does mean that the league has, on average, the older fan base. I believe it's an issue that the league is trying to address because they want to attract the younger sports fan who is currently swayed by the NFL. Canadians in the younger demographic prefer the NFL over the CFL.

http://angusreid.org/one-quarter-canadia...y-cup-popularity-cfl-edges-nfl-approval/

I'm sure the ages of the average CFL fan varies from team to team.

Acajack · #**10817** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Hamilton/Ottawa also underline the same point. The only professional sports teams in town in the summer are CFL and in Ottawa's case also the Fury (but they draw around 5,000 so aren't much competition).

ESPN viewer ratings are irrelevant. I have the full sports package on Rogers but never watch games on TV. As much as it annoys people, many of us either watch in person or watch on MLS Live, it's just more convenient.

Hamilton is basically the exact same thing as Toronto when it comes to being able to access a wide range of pro sports. In the fall, it's even close to the NFL in Buffalo than Toronto is.

Prometheus · #**10818** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

I have the full sports package on Rogers but never watch games on TV. As much as it annoys people, many of us either watch in person or watch on MLS Live, it's just more convenient.

That's really illuminating. Every CFL game is on video-on-demand and many of us watch on TSN GO.

mistercorporate · #**10819** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by elly63

Same hilarious argument, all other sports fans are too stupid to have an Internet connection and know how to use it. Yes, we deprived provincials have nothing else to do and no choices as compared to the privileged Torontonians. Woe is us! (Forearm rising to meet forehead)

Not too stupid to have an internet connection, but without the quality and speed/convenience of the MLS Live app. If you haven't tried it you wouldn't know what I'm talking about. I paid $99 for the EPL live streaming from Sportsnet World but the quality of the feed and the convenience of browsing all the info/stats/games was atrocious. I literally only watched one game before cancelling that season, will never use them again. MLS Live though is a whole other level, assuming you're also into the sport that is.

P Unit · #**10820** Posted **Mar 26, 2015, 7:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

That's interesting you should mention that. Even in the US, viewership for the Canadian Football League appears to be surpassing MLS: CFL Getting Better Ratings Than MLS on ESPN2

Those certainly are impressive numbers for US CFL viewership. Is that a trend? The data just shows that one Thursday night CFL game pulled higher numbers than a pair of Saturday MLS games. In any event though, I was talking about growth potential, not viewership in years past. I don't see how anyone could make an argument that the CFL's most optimistic global growth potential matches that of MLS.