The headline from the news here at CFL.ca this morning says a lot, doesn’t it?
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.cfl.ca/2021/02/17/oleary-love-hate-moves-argos-attention/
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.cfl.ca/2021/02/17/oleary-love-hate-moves-argos-attention/
The CFL allows the Argos to do anything without penalty. Over the cap? no problem here's a slap on the wrist. What a joke.
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You are 100% correct there is zero chance the Argos are not over the cap it’s a total joke
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Great to hear this assured, in-the-know insight...[yes, I'm being facetious]. How about a bit of epistemic humility?
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Like it or not, the CFL needs a strong franchise in a Toronto. Hopefully these FA signings will create a buzz in the GTA about the Argos. This just might translate into more fans in the seats at games.
Blue62, you are absolutely right. Like it or not, a strong Argo team helps the CFL immensely in TV ratings, rivalries, and in creating enough interest that fans in all the other CFL towns will want to buy a ticket when the Argos visit. I have been at Ivor Wynne Stadium for an Argo-Ticat game and the atmosphere was electric. Remember that one of the fears about the NFL coming to Toronto was that it would be the end of the Argos and possibly be the end of the CFL? It's for all of those reasons and many more. I am old enough to remember when the East was a fist fight among Hamilton, Toronto and Ottawa, in the 60s. Every Saturday had an epic battle for the division title. I personally don't think the NFL would be the end for the Argos, because once Torontonians realized that thanks to seat licenses, they would likely not be able to attend those NFL games, people who liked live football would patronize the Argos.
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Like it or not , they don't count your marbles until the end of the season.
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This has been tried over and over with zero success. The only real impact on attendance was when Rocket Ismail came to Toronto
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I have been a dedicated loyal follower of my hometown Toronto Argonauts for over 45 years. The Argos have struggled with the live gate since they left CNE stadium. This is not the first spending spree by the Argos, they have been caught and fined before for exceeding the payroll cap. The greatest show on turf needs the Argos to survive. The saddest part is that Toronto will always be a hockey town first. The Argos remain a tough sell due to the fact most Argo fans have died and the young generation could care less about the historic Canadian Football League. 
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Unfortunately these signings will not result in increase in attendance. There can’t be a “buzz” , if no one (Stuck up Toronto media) is attempting to “buzz” about anything related to CFL . This all goes back to the CFL Antichrist in Toronto, and that’s Paul Godfrey. Just after winning the GC with the Rocket , Paul decides to try and sell the idea of a NFL team in TO, and calls the CFL “bush league”, and then he takes out the CFL standings in the sports section of the SUN newspaper (he was the chief at that newspaper) , he got all the media sports guys having a hard-on , for the NFL coming to town (like as if that’s ever gonna happen), and that was the start of the demise . Call this great league “bush league “ was something that was splattered all over tv sports shows and radio , and the media here continue to stroke themselves to continue that hard-on , for that cherished press pass at a NFL games played yearly in a city that doesn’t understand how awful (talent wise and entertainment wise) a NFL TORONTO team will be in its first 10years or more (just like Jacksonville Jaguars).
I stopped caring about people’s comments about TORONTO needs fans to survive. Been hearing that since 1991. Especially now , with a Argos ownership that will never allow the team to move or fold . Don’t get me wrong , I love a full house at any CFL games , especially my Argos team , but MLSE wants to succeed, not because they need the money , but because of their ego , and for the Argos future , that’s awesome!!
As a season ticket member since ‘86, I AM IN IT 4 LIFE....fan base will grow slowly, and thrive, but in the meantime, I personally LOVE the signings , and can’t wait for the season to start .
In addition, Pinball does not lie , he just doesn’t know how too , so if he tells me they are not over the “cap”, then I gottsta take his word for it .
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Hello INIt4Life,
You make a lot of valid points that I agree with.
Unfortunately Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment has a lot of work to do to get Torontonians interested in the CFL. I mentioned this in another thread that how come millennials don't support the CFL in Toronto?
I'm a Bears fan for the NFL, and an Argonauts fan for my CFL team. More importantly, I'm a football fan. I watch NCAA, NFL, USports (whenever I can catch a game being aired) and the CFL. I'll watch all games I can. For NCAA Football I'm a Notre Dame fan ever since the 1988 Season when they won the National Championship, and Rocket Ismail was on that team. For USports I'm a Western Mustangs fan.
When the NASL soccer was around, nobody supported the Toronto Blizzard at Varsity Stadium and CNE Stadium unless the new York Cosmos were in town with the great Pele. Now MLS is more structured, if you were a AC Milan fan only, you also adopted Toronto FC as your team also. It clearly shows with there attendance. Until that occurs in Toronto and Vancouver where the young generation accepts the Argos and Lions, then and only then it will be a lot better.
I would start by giving away a lot of season tickets to minor football leagues in the Great Toronto Area to get the young generation interested. You got to start some somewhere to build. If there playing football at a young age, they will appreciate the CFL along with the NFL.
After that, keep on continuing on other possible demographics in getting Toronto and Vancouver interested in the CFL.
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Paul Godfrey is more of a snake oil salesmen than we come to believe.
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No, because no one is paying attention right now. With the possibility of another year with no CFL I take little notice of who the Argos have signed, it doesn't matter. Same with the other teams. Ottawa let a QB walk a few weeks ago, they signed him before the 2020 season and with Ottawa for 1 year but never played a down.
Sports fans in Toronto know the Jays are playing and can follow them, same with the Leafs and Raptors. The TFC will be playing too in a few weeks time.
The Argos and other team's CFL player signings will get my attention if there is a season this year.
The CFL doesn't need a strong franchise in Toronto, they haven't had one for years!! It would be good if they did have a strong franchise but the CFL has rolled on with the Argos attendance dipping for the last 10 years. 12k average for the past few seasons hasn't sunk the league
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