Western Expresso - Page 29

Dougler306 · #**561** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 6:32 PM**

The topic of a cfl team in saskatoon is pathetic, the saskatchewan roughriders were called the regina roughriders a few years back but becuase our whole provincee is loyal to the riders not just ppl in regina(not to mention ppl in stoon bickering). It was changed to the sk riders and now saskatoon wants a team straight up on there own, i laugh at that. If you dont alrdy boast to be the "paris" of the praires, city of bridges, largest pop in sk, but you also want to have the 1 sport franchise in this provincee. Stoon is just a big baby cryng until it gets what it wants

circle33 · #**562** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 6:43 PM**

So you conclude that because a couple of guys discuss the possibility of one day bringing a CFL team Saskatoon that the city (and by extension its populace) is just big baby crying until it gets what it wants. Hmmmm. Interesting take.

All right then, moving on...

BrannyMuffin · #**563** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 6:50 PM**

I don't think we will see a second team in Manitoba for a loooong time, if ever. The population reasoning makes no sense...there might be a bigger population in Manitoba (barely) but it's pretty much centred around Winnipeg. There is nowhere else even close to being big enough to support a team.

I think it's almost certain that there will be a CFL team in Saskatoon at some point, but it won't be for awhile. I don't necessarily fault them for looking into it (although why they would have to go to Phoenix to do that is beyond me...) but it's a long way off. There will be a team in Atlantic Canada and likely a second team in BC before Saskatoon is on the CFL radar...

circle33 · #**564** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

(although why they would have to go to Phoenix to do that is beyond me...)

Because Saskatoon's movers and shakers winter there, or at least that appears to be the argument/justification put forth.

BrannyMuffin · #**565** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

Because Saskatoon's movers and shakers winter there, or at least that appears to be the argument/justification put forth.

Which kind of explains why they were fired...I don't understand how they thought they could get away with something like that. Unless they had gotten away with similar things before, which I suppose is a possibility.

CCF · #**566** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 7:39 PM**

I'd be very surprised to see a second CFL franchise in Saskatchewan. Would be interesting to see the provincial government try to fund two new stadiums!

If the population continues to grow, then I'd say in 20 years it may be a fair idea worth considering.

roccerfeller · #**567** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 7:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

I'd be very surprised to see a second CFL franchise in Saskatchewan. Would be interesting to see the provincial government try to fund two new stadiums!

If the population continues to grow, then I'd say in 20 years it may be a fair idea worth considering.

Exactly

Quote:

Originally Posted by djforsberg

Sorry but it won't happen any time soon. The Riders pull fans from the entire province. There's no room for two teams. Manitoba has more people than us. When they get two teams, we will.

And that is more likely than a second team in Manitoba. Its not all about population. Where would a second team in Manitoba go? Manitoba isn't like Saskatchewan where you have two large centres (Regina & Saskatoon)

There's only one (Winnipeg). The second largest city here is Brandon, and Brandon is only ~46,000 people metro. Winnipeg has more populated neighbourhoods than that.

Further, let's look at BC: The Lions are well supported there, and the greater Vancouver area is pushing 2.2 million. Yet there's only one team.

I think a case could be made for Saskatoon getting a team one day, but by that time, I'm sure there will have been teams in Atlantic Canada, Ottawa, and maybe Quebec City for a while.

Also, when I went to Toon Town, I saw a ton of Riders jerserys and caps all over the city. They're well supported from what I saw.

What would be sweet, is if somehow the Riders could play a home game in Toon.

Ruckus · #**568** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 8:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

I'd be very surprised to see a second CFL franchise in Saskatchewan. Would be interesting to see the provincial government try to fund two new stadiums!

If the population continues to grow, then I'd say in 20 years it may be a fair idea worth considering.

Indeed. A lot of political and financial trade-offs to consider.

Crisis · #**569** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 11:07 PM**

I agree completely with CCF, Ruckus & roccerfeller. The issue isn't fan support, but facility. Although it wouldn't be a slam dunk, Toontown might well be able to support a CFL franchise, but it wouldn't be feasible to build a 30K+ stadium up here. And I don't think anyone would be happy with a shared facility in Davidson...

J-MAN · #**570** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 11:28 PM**

Call me crazy but I think Saskatoon could support a CFL team. If Regina could support a CFL team then why can't Saskatoon?

Stormer · #**571** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 11:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-MAN

Call me crazy but I think Saskatoon could support a CFL team. If Regina could support a CFL team then why can't Saskatoon?

mostly because they do not have a stadium.

J-MAN · #**572** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 11:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

mostly because they do not have a stadium.

Well they'll just have to build one then. Downtown would be nice..

Stormer · #**573** Posted **Feb 1, 2012, 11:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

Because Saskatoon's movers and shakers winter there, or at least that appears to be the argument/justification put forth.

And why was it CUC doing it and why did they get fired and why...

JCA · #**574** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 1:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

And why was it CUC doing it and why did they get fired and why...

They were fired for spending 7000 dollars on golf games and NFL tickets as well as other things I'm sure. they say it was approved but the boss who approved it retired right after. CUC is responible for looking at the feasibility of having a franchise from the city of saskatoon's perspective as they are owned by the city.

micheal · #**575** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 2:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

I'd be very surprised to see a second CFL franchise in Saskatchewan. Would be interesting to see the provincial government try to fund two new stadiums!

If the population continues to grow, then I'd say in 20 years it may be a fair idea worth considering.

I think for it to work it would have to happen sooner than later. In 20 years who knows what the cost of a stadium will be 500-700 mil? maybe more?

How would the two teams work with the spornsership in the province? its already tight as it is already.

UPP · #**576** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 4:34 AM**

No chance in hell. Saskatoon barely supports its current WHL team and there isnt the same football culture there. Regina currently supports the Riders to the tune of 10% of all citizens attending games. If Saskatoon had a team, that would have to increase and it would have to be at least 10% for Saskatoon as well. While that may happen for a couple years, it would most definitely fade. Even in 20 years, with a growing population, demographically, there would be no more football fans than there currently are because new residents are mostly immigrants who have no desire to watch football. Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto are great examples. While Calgarys population has doubled over the past 20 years, attendance has remained relatively flat.

circle33 · #**577** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 4:59 AM**

While I agree that the numbers don't quite add up for a CFL team in Saskatoon (not by a long shot), you may be underestimating the city's football culture. The Huskies drew 6000+ per game this past season for a dramatically lower caliber of football and the success of the Hilltops certainly points to football being a game of local significance.

Treesplease · #**578** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 5:46 AM**

I am a bit concerned about the CFL in general. There is increasing talk about the inevitability of an NFL franchise in toronto. If/when that happens the CFL is going to take a kick in the pants and be seen as even more of a b-league. It is somewhat insulated now by the national factor (our game - their game). When toronto gets an NFL team I fear the current good attendance and support will slip back to where the CFL was 15 yrs ago when you couldn't give tickets away.

Now if Saskatoon was to put its energy into a NHL franchise that would draw from the entire province instead of slicing the football market in two....I live in Regina but I would be a huge Saskatoon NHL hockey fan. But I don't know if the NHL has given up on the southern US just yet.

Boreal · #**579** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 5:57 AM**

Well, Toronto is not going to be getting an NFL franchise anytime soon, I reckon.

rypinion · #**580** Posted **Feb 2, 2012, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treesplease

There is increasing talk about the inevitability of an NFL franchise in toronto.

Perhaps if it was 2008 then yes. Pretty sure that has kind of died.