Kudos to Scott McKeen...

[Party Time]

Not to needlessly add to the number of CFL vs NFL threads but I thought this deserved it's own thread...mods please merge if you feel it necessary...

Don't mess with our CFL game
Be afraid of the NFL in Toronto -- very afraid
Scott McKeen, The Edmonton Journal

Wayne Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles 20 years ago was a dart to the heart. I couldn't listen to sad songs on the radio for months.

If the Canadian Football League ever folds -- the Edmonton Eskimos along with it -- just put me under 24-hour watchI realize it's childish. But in many ways that's the point of fandom -- nurturing the part of you that once worshipped heroes.

My emotional attachment to the Eskimos began in childhood. So my obsession is steeped in nostalgia and memories of triumphant victories over dread rivals like Calgary. I remember sitting in the freezing cold and leaping up to hug strangers at a Western final.

I still remember Tom Wilkinson's, ahem, jump pass. I remember wide receiver George McGowan, whose catching ability was that of a god.

Read More...

Also nice of him to mention esksfans....

[Esks4ever]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...




I"m still not convinced the CFL would fold because Toronto wasn't in it.

[GungaDin]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

...and memories of triumphant victories over dead rivals like Calgary...

Fixed.

CFL vs NFL, not better or worse, just different. Kind of like wine and beer, each has their place and their fans.

It's disturbing to hear over and over that the fate of the CFL depends on what the deep pockets are doing in Toronto. While it might not get me cheering for Telus, I'm certainly looking at Rogers' services with a jaundiced eye nowadays.

[Party Time]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I"m still not convinced the CFL would fold because Toronto wasn't in it.

I thought so at first too...but I highly doubt TSN (or any other national TV channel) would bother with televising games if the biggest market had no team. The advertising revenue would no be there to make it viable. Sure, the CFL is a gate driven league, but most people would need to see the game before shelling out to go see the game.

[Opus]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

good article.......

this is actually the second time McKeen has mentioned the site (he told us to keep some perspective after the season opening loss to Saskatchewan).....

[Esks4ever]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I thought so at first too...but I highly doubt TSN (or any other national TV channel) would bother with televising games if the biggest market had no team. The advertising revenue would no be there to make it viable. Sure, the CFL is a gate driven league, but most people would need to see the game before shelling out to go see the game.

people put too much stock in "toronto" they've proven over the years they want to be NYC Jr. ... its not like tons of citizens from Toronto go to the games as is....People who think the CFL would fold are the people who think all of Canada revolves around toronto.

[quake]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I would like to see the announcement that TO is getting a franchise? Until there is one in LA, they will not be getting one. Not going to happen.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I would like to see the announcement that TO is getting a franchise? Until there is one in LA, they will not be getting one. Not going to happen.

...and we have a winner!

But don't fool yourselves. The NFL in Toronto would effectively kill the CFL because advertising revenue would plummet for the CFL.

But not to worry. It's not gonna happen. Yet.

The CFL has a few years to get it's crap together before something like that happens.

[Tojo]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

Nice job Scotty....now quit lurking and post once in awhile.

[56Parkies]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

...and we have a winner!

But don't fool yourselves. The NFL in Toronto would effectively kill the CFL because advertising revenue would plummet for the CFL.

But not to worry. It's not gonna happen. Yet.

The CFL has a few years to get it's crap together before something like that happens.

Definitely true; Fortunately, the NFL has 32 teams which is an ideal number. They're not going to mess things up by going to 33 any time soon, and as for relocation of a franchise, as long as LA has NO team (when they once had 2!), and Rogers remains the only large stadium in Toronto, our league is safe.

Once LA DOES get a team, however, we can start to get a bit more anxious....

[Eskiediehard]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I love the quote:

"When I talk to people in California about the CFL, they know about it and have lots of respect for it -- maybe more than some Canadians do," he says.

WHY IS THAT?

[Eskiediehard]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

...and we have a winner!

But don't fool yourselves. The NFL in Toronto would effectively kill the CFL because advertising revenue would plummet for the CFL.

But not to worry. It's not gonna happen. Yet.

The CFL has a few years to get it's crap together before something like that happens.

I agree, but it's not just on the CFL, as a league, it's also on the fans to step-up and support their teams more than ever before over the next 5 years. The CFL has made improvements, but it's never going to be perfect - there is no other Canadian-only based league that is bigger and better.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

I agree, but it's not just on the CFL, as a league, it's also on the fans to step-up and support their teams more than ever before over the next 5 years. The CFL has made improvements, but it's never going to be perfect - there is no other Canadian-only based league that is bigger and better.

And I'll be right back into those season seats as soon as the Eskimos show the fans some respect.

[MoneyGuy]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

Good job by McKeen. He's pretty good but I find it very annoying when he writes about city council stuff and actually pretends to know the subject. I hate when people think they know better and have no clue how it works. Other than that, good job on this one.

[Eskiediehard]

Re: Kudos to Scott McKeen...

And I'll be right back into those season seats as soon as the Eskimos show the fans some respect.

How exactly are the Eskimos so much more disrespectful to their fans than all the other pro sports teams on this continent?