Sports in Canadian culture

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by Stryker

Toronto is typically bound by the leafs, however with the team being owned by two competing business interests this might represent a possible split. A unique situation that everyone could gain from.

This is an interesting situation. Rogers and Bell playing nice for the long haul seems unlikely. If they split and one company sells its shares to the other, presumably the terms for them getting their own team would be part of the deal. That would eliminate the MLSE veto factor.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by Mister F

This is an interesting situation. Rogers and Bell playing nice for the long haul seems unlikely. If they split and one company sells its shares to the other, presumably the terms for them getting their own team would be part of the deal. That would eliminate the MLSE veto factor.

I see them neither getting along nor selling any time soon.

[GlassCity]

If the Toronto area gets a second team I agree that it better be built in Hamilton. Hamilton as a stand alone city with its own identity deserves an NHL team around which to rally and promote itself. Markham doesn't need one.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^You're not wrong. I believe studies suggested a Hamilton franchise would be the 5th most valuable in the NHL or something like that.

Yeah, here it is:
"It's not like they are living alone in the middle of nowhere," added Mario Lefebvre, Director of the Centre for Municipal Studies at the Conference Board of Canada. "The cities around the city of Hamilton would jump into the same bandwagon. It's a very decent market for the NHL."

So decent in fact, that the NHL entered in court that a Hamilton team would be the league's fifth-most valuable franchise. And yet today, the league couldn't be less interested.
link

An NHL team in Hamilton would attract fans from the Niagara Peninsula, K-W-Guelph and the GTA (Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, etc.).

No arena, though and as the article states, no interest from the NHL (at this time). Oh and MLSE and Buffalo would block any attempt to get a team, so dream on...

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

^You're not wrong. I believe studies suggested a Hamilton franchise would be the 5th most valuable in the NHL or something like that.

Yeah, here it is:
"It's not like they are living alone in the middle of nowhere," added Mario Lefebvre, Director of the Centre for Municipal Studies at the Conference Board of Canada. "The cities around the city of Hamilton would jump into the same bandwagon. It's a very decent market for the NHL."

So decent in fact, that the NHL entered in court that a Hamilton team would be the league's fifth-most valuable franchise. And yet today, the league couldn't be less interested.
link

An NHL team in Hamilton would attract fans from the Niagara Peninsula, K-W-Guelph and the GTA (Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, etc.).

No arena, though and as the article states, no interest from the NHL (at this time). Oh and MLSE and Buffalo would block any attempt to get a team, so dream on...

But opposition from MLSE and Buffalo would apply to any Golden Horseshoe location wouldn't it? It's not like they'd be against Hamilton but ok with an Oshawa team.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

^You're not wrong. I believe studies suggested a Hamilton franchise would be the 5th most valuable in the NHL or something like that.

Yeah, here it is:
"It's not like they are living alone in the middle of nowhere," added Mario Lefebvre, Director of the Centre for Municipal Studies at the Conference Board of Canada. "The cities around the city of Hamilton would jump into the same bandwagon. It's a very decent market for the NHL."

So decent in fact, that the NHL entered in court that a Hamilton team would be the league's fifth-most valuable franchise. And yet today, the league couldn't be less interested.
link

An NHL team in Hamilton would attract fans from the Niagara Peninsula, K-W-Guelph and the GTA (Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, etc.).

No arena, though and as the article states, no interest from the NHL (at this time). Oh and MLSE and Buffalo would block any attempt to get a team, so dream on...

First off I can't see either bell or rogers having any interesting in building a billion dollar team in hamilton, when their primary motivation is content for their television networks. I think it should be no surprise that this rumor shut up just weeks after the NFL is no longer on toronto radar.


Second hamilton being fifth is nice, but toronto being 2nd is much much better in the eyes of the NHL. As much as people want to believe that gary bettman hates canada, one has to appreciate he's always been about taping into large markets. MLSE would never so in Toronto. Quebec and Winnipeg are by far the smallest markets in any major sports league. Atlanta, phoenix, and Miami also happen to be some of the largest sports markets in the world, so to put an anti canada tinge on a guy that put alot into growing the sport meh.


Far far far far more importantly someone in hamilton spoiled the deal when he tried to sabotage the viability of another NHL city. If you look that up and think for a second the NHLwill step foot in hamilton after that train wreck.

Don't get me wrong would love to see a team in hamilton, however this is not the situation that will allow for it.

Anyhow be greatful that Toronto can even get a second team, this isn't the big bad corporations putting the customer first.

This is the big bad corporations who cannot coexist without cannibalizing eachother.

[Trevor3]

Originally Posted by Stryker

First off I can't see either bell or rogers having any interesting in building a billion dollar team in hamilton, when their primary motivation is content for their television networks. I think it should be no surprise that this rumor shut up just weeks after the NFL is no longer on toronto radar.


Second hamilton being fifth is nice, but toronto being 2nd is much much better in the eyes of the NHL. As much as people want to believe that gary bettman hates canada, one has to appreciate he's always been about taping into large markets. MLSE would never so in Toronto. Quebec and Winnipeg are by far the smallest markets in any major sports league. Atlanta, phoenix, and Miami also happen to be some of the largest sports markets in the world, so to put an anti canada tinge on a guy that put alot into growing the sport meh.


Far far far far more importantly someone in hamilton spoiled the deal when he tried to sabotage the viability of another NHL city. If you look that up and think for a second the NHLwill step foot in hamilton after that train wreck.

Don't get me wrong would love to see a team in hamilton, however this is not the situation that will allow for it.

Anyhow be greatful that Toronto can even get a second team, this isn't the big bad corporations putting the customer first.

This is the big bad corporations who cannot coexist without cannibalizing eachother.

A team in Hamilton, if it were to be the 5th most valuable in the NHL, would surpass a number of other Canadian clubs in value and provide huge money making content for the owner (if it were Rogers say).

A second team in Toronto would be nice but the ACC is maxed out with tenants. The next best arena would be Ricoh but that's much too small and owned by MLSE. Too bad Maple Leaf Gardens wasn't still for sale, imagine an expansion team moving giving rebirth to that building. That would have been incredible... damn Ryerson/Loblaws.

The NHL is about making money, bottom line. When teams lose money it isn't good for the league unless there is an ulterior motive like securing television contracts. Phoenix is useful for the latter purpose but nothing else, as was Atlanta. Winnipeg has proven to be a valuable franchise and proven the viability of smaller cities and buildings in the league. Without Winnipeg the Islanders would never have moved to Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, they probably would have been uprooted to Kansas City by now.

Hamilton has not been soured on by the league. Jim Balsillie didn't play by the rules. He tried to buy a team and move it without going through the channels. In the time since, Blackberry has been a consistent sponsor and advertising partner of the NHL. Their products appear in the EA Sports NHL series and routinely in the national ad space on boards at NHL rinks. The spat had everything to do with that potential owner, nothing about the city of Hamilton.

The stumbling block is an arena. Any owner would have to show some plans, both financial and physical, for a new stadium in order to get the team to Hamilton. Copps could absolutely be used for a couple of years IF plans were in place for a new building. Ottawa played out of the Civic Centre for a year until their building were constructed in Kanata.

Hamilton really is the better choice than Toronto 2 or Markham since it takes the team from the Leafs doorstep to their backyard. It's not the Leafs that have to worry, it's the new club. Can they develop a following sharing a city with Toronto? Not nearly as easily as they could in Hamilton which has always dreamed of having its own team.

[elly63]

Chris Berman joins Ticats TV Live on Labour Day!

• Video Link

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Trevor3

A team in Hamilton, if it were to be the 5th most valuable in the NHL, would surpass a number of other Canadian clubs in value and provide huge money making content for the owner (if it were Rogers say).
But it's not if the team will break even, rogers or bells will want a marquee to them can build their audience off of. A team in hamiliton isn't gonna sell in stephenville, corner brook etc

Hamilton has not been soured on by the league. Jim Balsillie didn't play by the rules. He tried to buy a team and move it without going through the channels. In the time since, Blackberry has been a consistent sponsor and advertising partner of the NHL. Their products appear in the EA Sports NHL series and routinely in the national ad space on boards at NHL rinks. The spat had everything to do with that potential owner, nothing about the city of Hamilton.
From my understanding Jim balsillie tried to sabotage another market, a market that is strategically crucial to getting large national broadcast contracts. From my understanding the league will make an example out of hamilton for that very reason. The NHL isn't an open market, they have a vested interest in the greater good of the league, anyone threatening that greater interest will likely not be tolerated.

Hamilton really is the better choice than Toronto 2 or Markham since it takes the team from the Leafs doorstep to their backyard. It's not the Leafs that have to worry, it's the new club. Can they develop a following sharing a city with Toronto? Not nearly as easily as they could in Hamilton which has always dreamed of having its own team.

This would be fine if this were a free team. But you have two parties that want a marquee team for their respective brands. Hamilton doesn't serve this function.

This isn't about owners wanting a hockey team, this is about networks wanting a product.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

As an aside, if Markham were to get a team, would anybody care? Even a second team in Toronto proper...I just don't see it. People in the GTA are Leafs' fans, not hockey fans.

[elly63]

Former X-Men star Henoc Muamba makes NFL’s Indianapolis Colts
Monty Mosher thechronicleherald.ca August 30, 2014

A little piece of AUS football will show up in the opening day lineup of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

Former St. Francis Xavier X-Men linebacker Henoc Muamba of Mississauga, Ont., was named to the 53-man roster on Saturday as NFL teams had to make their final cuts.

The Colts cut 17 players — including four linebackers — to get to the magic number. Indianapolis opens next Sunday on the road against the Denver Broncos.

“It’s definitely something I’ve always dreamed about,” Muamba said in an interview at the time he was signed in February.

“To be able to get to this situation is definitely a blessing and just a testament that hard work, perseverance and belief definitely pays off.”

Muamba will be the first AUS graduate to play in the NFL since Halifax’s Steve Morley, an offensive lineman at Saint Mary’s, played special teams for the New York Jets in 2005.

Former Acadia receiver Jerome Pathon, a B.C. native who was CIS rookie of the year in his one season with the Axemen in 1993, also wrapped up his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2005 season.

After three seasons with the Winnipeg Bue Bombers, who selected him first overall in 2011, the 25-year-old Muamba signed with the Colts.

He made an early impression on the Indianapolis coaching staff, recording 10 tackles and a forced fumble in the Colts’ pre-season opener against the Jets.

Strong and quick, the six-foot, 242-pound Muamba is considered a sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s an adept pass rusher with the athleticism to cover a receiver.

It’s not surprising the Colts gave him his chance. The team has a history of plucking players, especially linebackers, from the CFL.

Born in Congo, Muamba didn’t take up football until he was 16. He didn’t want to get hurt and preferred basketball.

He didn’t become a linebacker until he played with the X-Men, where he was joined by brother, Cauchy. Cauchy Muamba, a defensive back, is with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Henoc Muamba played four seasons for the X-Men and was named the top defensive player in the CIS in 2010. He was a three-time all-Canadian and the top defensive player in the AUS twice.

In his three seasons with Winnipeg, he posted 171 tackles, 53 special teams stops, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

This past season, he was named the top Canadian in the East Division and was also named a CFL all-star.

In 2013, he played in all 18 games for Winnipeg, ranking second overall in the league with 106 tackles. He also had 18 special teams stops, one sack and one interception.

The Blue Bombers awarded Muamba with the 2013 Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy’ Award, recognizing a Blue Bomber for excellence in football ability, team camaraderie and extraordinary effort in the community.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

As an aside, if Markham were to get a team, would anybody care? Even a second team in Toronto proper...I just don't see it. People in the GTA are Leafs' fans, not hockey fans.

Doubtful. It would be the same dynamic that the Habs and Nords had. All the companies that were shut out from being Habs sponsors teamed up with the Nords. Toronto would duplicate that... as opposed to the Leafs sponsors you see on the boards, it would be all of those companies' competitors.

It might be tough sledding for the first few years, but after a taste of success, a lot of people would jump on the new team's bandwagon. I mean, if the Mets were able to carve out a fanbase in Yankeeland, then I don't think it would be a huge challenge for a NHL team to do the same. And let's face it, the Leafs aren't even on the same planet as a successful team like the Yanks. Since that last Stanley Cup parade almost 50 years ago, the Leafs have been by and large an embarrassment of an organization in terms of on-ice performance. They have been owned by an irascible old bigot followed by a string of faceless corporate owners who were not the least bit concerned with winning.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by esquire

Doubtful. It would be the same dynamic that the Habs and Nords had. All the companies that were shut out from being Habs sponsors teamed up with the Nords. Toronto would duplicate that... as opposed to the Leafs sponsors you see on the boards, it would be all of those companies' competitors.

It might be tough sledding for the first few years, but after a taste of success, a lot of people would jump on the new team's bandwagon. I mean, if the Mets were able to carve out a fanbase in Yankeeland, then I don't think it would be a huge challenge for a NHL team to do the same. And let's face it, the Leafs aren't even on the same planet as a successful team like the Yanks. Since that last Stanley Cup parade almost 50 years ago, the Leafs have been by and large an embarrassment of an organization in terms of on-ice performance. They have been owned by an irascible old bigot followed by a string of faceless corporate owners who were not the least bit concerned with winning.

My guess is they would have the added bonus of free agents wanting to play in their home province without the curse of the leafs.

[suburbanite]

Lol what? When have the Leafs ever had free agent acquisition problems? The problem is they pay too much money for awful players.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by suburbanite

Lol what? When have the Leafs ever had free agent acquisition problems? The problem is they pay too much money for awful players.

Same difference.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^These days, free agents are staying away with greater frequency than ever before. The days of local guys (Corson, Roberts et al) wanting to play for the Leafs is finished.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Stryker

My guess is they would have the added bonus of free agents wanting to play in their home province without the curse of the leafs.

There's Ottawa for that

But yes I get the point.

[Nicko999]

With the recent successes in rugby, basketball and of course tennis, the sport scene in Canada has never been healthier. Feels good to be recognized for something other than hockey.

What Canada Can Teach Us About Tennis
How Is Our Northern Neighbor Producing the Likes of Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic?

Canada—the cold, snowy, hockey-crazed country to our north—would like your attention. It has a lot to teach the world about tennis.

As the U.S. Open moves toward Labor Day weekend, Canada is in the midst of a remarkable tennis season. Eugenie Bouchard, a 20-year-old from Montreal, has reached at least the semifinals of all three Grand Slam tournaments this year, including a final appearance at Wimbledon. Milos Raonic, a 23-year-old native Montenegrin who grew up in the Toronto area, got to the Wimbledon semifinal and is now considered a contender for a major title.

There are other Canadians who prefer serving to stickhandling: Vasek Pospisil, who won this year's Wimbledon doubles title with American Jack Sock, and Francoise Abanda, a 17-year-old who gave former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki a fight before losing in the first round of the Open this week.

Canada has terrible tennis weather, low population density and no tennis pedigree: No Canadian has ever won a Grand Slam singles title. Raonic, who is the No. 5 seed at the Open, said none of that mattered much once Tennis Canada, the country's tennis federation, honed its approach to developing talent.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/what-...nis-1409264421

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

As an aside, if Markham were to get a team, would anybody care? Even a second team in Toronto proper...I just don't see it. People in the GTA are Leafs' fans, not hockey fans.

The Marlies get better attendance than most AHL teams, 9th in the league last year. But even if they didn't, there's no evidence to support your claim. People in the GTA are NHL hockey fans, not just Leafs fans. A second team would have no trouble attracting fans.

Originally Posted by esquire

They have been owned by an irascible old bigot followed by a string of faceless corporate owners who were not the least bit concerned with winning.

Of course they're concerned with winning, you make more profits when you win. The deeper you go into the playoffs the more money you make. Besides, if they didn't care about winning they wouldn't spend so much on players, staff, and facilities.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Mister F

The Marlies get better attendance than most AHL teams, 9th in the league last year. But even if they didn't, there's no evidence to support your claim. People in the GTA are NHL hockey fans, not just Leafs fans. A second team would have no trouble attracting fans.



Of course they're concerned with winning, you make more profits when you win. The deeper you go into the playoffs the more money you make. Besides, if they didn't care about winning they wouldn't spend so much on players, staff, and facilities.

Yeah just the sell out audiences from O6 teams alone would make them some money.