Canadian cities with CFL franchises are in control when it comes to the future of the CFL. In southern ontario the story has changed since mid-00's. Hamilton and Toronto were in question during a time where other CFL cities were growing further ahead. Economically speaking both CFL franchises were trailing in the 4th qtr with no hope of a comeback.
Blame?
Everything was to be blamed. The stadium. The ownership. Calling out every commissioner we ever had.
Non Canadians?
Understand Toronto is a melting pot for foreigners and investors who come and go. They put no roots in the community nor do they care about anything involving the city (sounds like GTA ego) Hamilton is unlike most cities in Canada. Its a blue collar community that if you live in the city you are passionate about your homeland. So yrs later after the southern ontario problems were brought to our attention. The 2 franchises have gone in different directions. why?
Should we really care?
Hamilton did what they had to do. Great ownership. Field a competent Football team. Build a new stadium while maintaining IVS tradition. The Tiger-Cats brought back the passion of Hamilton Football. It gave people in the city a rally point for an organization that is a big part of the community. Isn't that the great Canadian story?
Toronto blame?
Toronto is not the Toronto of the '50's,'70's -'00's. Its a different city today.I recall the GTA years ago and how mighty has it changed. Toronto was always a focal point in school text-books and videos with the CN Tower lit up to show strength and vision. It was a place where dreams came true. Look at that skyline! The Leafs demonstrated the peoples values of strength and honor. HNIC Saturday Nights were the time the nation came together after the recession. These dreams and visions is why there were Maple Leaf fans across the country and still are many today. Families had the torch and it was handed down to generation to generation.
Todays torch is not the same torch. Why?
Majority of people that live in GTA do not know the history and tradition of the city they live in. People have moved from small Canadian towns with the vision and dreams making it big after growing up believing Toronto was the 'big smoke' Small companies shared the same vision. Relocation from another Canadian city to Toronto was extremely common in the late '90s.
GTA is in trouble again. But don't tell the people who live there.
Living in Toronto holds a responsibility of a certain life-style. But when people demand a life-style not yet earned or deserving it causes an economical downfall seen in almost every populated city in the world since the early 1900's. Majority of the population in GTA have little money to spend on family items never mind sporting tickets. Jobs are hard to find and if you get a good one it likely doesn't pay to live among your desired means. After all you live in Toronto the most amazing city in the world (at least thats what you hear) if you aren't spending $500 on dining and entertainment weekly you are not living right. And if people are making decent money these days they are living small in a over priced condo/apartment and still have no cash to raise a family or save for retirement. You aren't going to retire living in GTA are you? If you disagree with my financial assessment of Toronto go pull up a real estate guide and financial life-style magazine. Politicians have let Canadians down in a big way especially in Vancouver and Toronto. Watching how people live in a city like Toronto makes me wonder why people would not want to move to Hamilton or Ottawa or London.
Inferior knowledge of Canada?
What is in the GTA that makes people go ''still gotta live here'' There are people in all cities including NYC, LA, Chicago, Vancouver, Montreal, or somewhere in Alaska all say the same things ''I hate where I live. My city sucks its boring'' Truth is majority of people have little knowledge of the cities in the world today and only think about the negatives of living in a city. The grass is always greener on the other side is a common trait in people today. Complaining about everything is the agreed upon strategy to make themselves feel worthy. People in Toronto calling Edmonton a bad city. Have you been to Edmonton? Last I've been there Edmonton has a thriving downtown where as Toronto is standing still.
However there are people who do something about it. Who take control of their lives for themselves and their family. Ever been to TO? I do not feel Canadian in that city. Ever been to Ottawa? Quebec City? Halifax? Saskatoon? Winnipeg? Banff? Jasper? Calgary? Kelowna? Yukon? I have and you feel Canada in your blood visiting these cities. These communities are the heart and soul of our nation. Ever been to Kingston? Heart and soul of Canada right there. Ever been to Niagara Falls? .... same thing. Ever been up to N. Ontario? complainers say its boring nothing to do. Well nah, those are the greatest places to have the times of your life.
So the assumption that Toronto is the centre of the universe for Canadians is true but not for what they assume the representation it stands for. GTA is where you go to dream. Its a vision of what people tell us Canada was and still is. I grew up thinking Montreal was the bad place and Toronto was the good place. Its what politicians wanted you to think. Its what you heard from your buddies. But sorry Montreal is far ahead of Toronto in every category. Much more Canadian and passionate town on a bad day compared to Toronto. One of the nicest places to live in Canada is Montreal. That city has heart and soul. Never compare it to Toronto.
So now we get to the CFL. And where are the fans in GTA? Know this. They are near-by. And there are a lot of them. Residents who move 1 hr or 2 hr outside of Toronto care little to drive into town for a CFL game or any game for that matter. Would you commit to season tickets?Cost of travel,etc
These habits have changed in the GTA for sports fans and where the fans commence to attend.
Around Canada?
Nothing has changed in Hamilton, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg because the cities are growing at a pace where economics and lifestyle grow together. Unlike Vancouver and Toronto where its a disaster zone to live.
Ottawa is a proven example of how a city and their sports teams grow together and it's working amazingly well. Just wait until the Sens move to downtown Ottawa. Landsdowne Live is one of the greatest sports districts in the world and it aint done developing.
The CFL is not dying in Canada. It's strong, vibrant, and growing extremely well on all platforms. The problem is cities like Toronto and Vancouver are not keeping up with the CFL.
No blame needed however.
This notion that the CFL is inferior to other leagues makes little to no sense. And I wouldn't even take it as an insult just as that same person if whom was a hockey fan would feel when someone from the U.S.A disliking the game of hockey. If a person has little to no interest in the CFL how would that person carry the same knowledge you and I do about the game? Its like calling out a person or a community without any knowledge.
Blame award goes to the people of Toronto for ruining Toronto
Only issue to blame are the costs for attending sporting events are going up while people have to start controlling their spending. It is why attending games is just a bit too much for many individuals and families everywhere in the world. $400/$900 for a Grey Cup game in a city that hosted the game numerous of times in the last 15 yrs is not business savvy. It does provide a point however to what is wrong with the economics in the city of Toronto. And not the problem with the CFL.
If the CFL or the Toronto Argonauts wanted to expose the CFL Grey Cup in the city of Toronto. They are economically placing themselves out of a market that is home to millions of people struggling for survival to live in the 'Great Big Smoke'
Then again. Maybe the people in GTA would rather economically support the Argos the way that seems more viable. 1 or 2 hours outside the GTA where survival appears more likely.
For the people and the Argonauts