I have to admit I was surprised to see this Canadian Pres article about MLSE (owners of the Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC) kicking the tires on buying the Argonauts and having them play at Toronto FC's BMO field.
With the Blue Jay's wanting to switch to natural turf in the Roger's Centre and eventually booting the Argos, playing at a reconfigured BMO would be a good option and would give the Argos a chance for a sellout.
For MLSE, given that the CFL salary cap is around $4.4 million, and that MLSE already has a big ticketing and market infrastructure available, turning a profit on the Argos wouldn't be that hard. Especially since attendance is bound to go up from the cavernous and crappy for football Roger's Centre. Also for the naming rights, getting repeated nationwide exposure on TSN for the CFL would be an improvement, since TFC's television ratings are dismal compared to the CFL.
Friday, September 6, 2013
2013 CFL Predictions Week 11
Calgary at Edmonton
I'm going to go out on a limb here and call an upset. Edmonton came close to winning last week and it is difficult for teams to win back to back games. Mike Reilly is putting up some decent passing numbers (although they're juiced from being behind a lot and abandoning the running game). Calgary is missing Nik Lewis due to his broken leg and Cornish wasn't particularly effective last week. A close one, but the Eskimos take it.
Edmonton 29 Calgary 27
BC at Hamilton
Hamilton was close on the West Coast last week, but ultimately were burned by some long bombs, plus a few key referee calls (including the weakest horse collar tackle I've seen). It's tough for teams to win back to back (which I've already mentioned). Hamilton has some injury problems (including Giguere at receiver and Boudreaux at defensive end), but the Lions are missing Solomon Elimimian as the middle linebacker. I'll pick Hamilton in Guelph.
Hamilton 33 BC 26
Toronto at Montreal
It is a back to back festival! Considering Montreal was able to win the battle of the backup quarterbacks last week, I think it makes sense to go with them at home. Plus the Montreal defence seems to be coming together. Not that the Argo defence is that bad, but they're not great.
Montreal 25 Toronto 21
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
Worst team versus best team. While the Bombers at least didn't embarrass themselves too badly in the first half last week, I can't pick them in good conscious, even at home.
Riders 32 Bombers 24
I'm going to go out on a limb here and call an upset. Edmonton came close to winning last week and it is difficult for teams to win back to back games. Mike Reilly is putting up some decent passing numbers (although they're juiced from being behind a lot and abandoning the running game). Calgary is missing Nik Lewis due to his broken leg and Cornish wasn't particularly effective last week. A close one, but the Eskimos take it.
Edmonton 29 Calgary 27
BC at Hamilton
Hamilton was close on the West Coast last week, but ultimately were burned by some long bombs, plus a few key referee calls (including the weakest horse collar tackle I've seen). It's tough for teams to win back to back (which I've already mentioned). Hamilton has some injury problems (including Giguere at receiver and Boudreaux at defensive end), but the Lions are missing Solomon Elimimian as the middle linebacker. I'll pick Hamilton in Guelph.
Hamilton 33 BC 26
Toronto at Montreal
It is a back to back festival! Considering Montreal was able to win the battle of the backup quarterbacks last week, I think it makes sense to go with them at home. Plus the Montreal defence seems to be coming together. Not that the Argo defence is that bad, but they're not great.
Montreal 25 Toronto 21
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
Worst team versus best team. While the Bombers at least didn't embarrass themselves too badly in the first half last week, I can't pick them in good conscious, even at home.
Riders 32 Bombers 24
Thursday, September 5, 2013
2013 CFL Power Rankings Week 10
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Still have only one loss and several teams are on to their backup quarterback. Kory Sheets is on pace to break Mike Pringle's single season rushing record. Class of the CFL for now.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Lots of quarterback injury problems, but a lot of answers too, with three decent quarterbacks in Drew Tate, Kevin Glenn and Bo Levi Mitchell. Losing Nik Lewis had hurt. Almost an epic collapse last week against the Eskimos, but still managed to hang on at home, as good teams do.
3. BC Lions
Travis Lulay managed to pass for over 300 yards against Hamilton at home last week, showing that he still has it. The defence did give up a lot of offense against Hamilton last week, but was able to persevere when it counted. Still needs to show against a top CFL team.
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Came close to defeating the Lions in BC late at night, which has historically been difficult for Eastern time zone teams to do. The pass offense is rolling with Henry Burris having many games with over 300 yards passing. Not many rushing attempts. Last week the pass completion percentage was great, but a large number of sacks caused problems, especially in the first quarter. Defence has improved since the start of the year, but it is still weaker than the offense. Having a healthy starter as your quarterback is something this particular week.
5. Montreal Alouettes
Beat Toronto in the battle of the backup quarterbacks in a low scoring affair. Great defence, especially Chip Cox in the middle who has a ridiculous number of tackles. However going with a backup quarterback for the rest of CFL season will be a learning curve, graded hard early.
6. Toronto Argonauts
With Ricky Ray, the Argos are an efficient offensive machine with gaudy pass completion numbers. Without him, they have a mediocre offense at best combined with a decent defence. Not a great recipe against the better teams in the league.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
I saw someone comment on the internet that this is the best 1 and 8 team ever. That is true and the Eskimos came close to upsetting the Stamps in Calgary. Quarterback Mike Reilly has decent pass numbers and has improved with more starts. To move up the rankings the Eskimos will actually have to win a game. Can they win enough to save head coach's Kavis Reed's job? Doubtful.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Beaten pretty soundly in Regina last week, although the first half was something of a moral victory for a team with one win. Lots of quarterbacks on the roster, but one hasn't really emerged. Changing the general manager and offensive co-ordinator mid-season isn't good for a team's power rankings.
Still have only one loss and several teams are on to their backup quarterback. Kory Sheets is on pace to break Mike Pringle's single season rushing record. Class of the CFL for now.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Lots of quarterback injury problems, but a lot of answers too, with three decent quarterbacks in Drew Tate, Kevin Glenn and Bo Levi Mitchell. Losing Nik Lewis had hurt. Almost an epic collapse last week against the Eskimos, but still managed to hang on at home, as good teams do.
3. BC Lions
Travis Lulay managed to pass for over 300 yards against Hamilton at home last week, showing that he still has it. The defence did give up a lot of offense against Hamilton last week, but was able to persevere when it counted. Still needs to show against a top CFL team.
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Came close to defeating the Lions in BC late at night, which has historically been difficult for Eastern time zone teams to do. The pass offense is rolling with Henry Burris having many games with over 300 yards passing. Not many rushing attempts. Last week the pass completion percentage was great, but a large number of sacks caused problems, especially in the first quarter. Defence has improved since the start of the year, but it is still weaker than the offense. Having a healthy starter as your quarterback is something this particular week.
5. Montreal Alouettes
Beat Toronto in the battle of the backup quarterbacks in a low scoring affair. Great defence, especially Chip Cox in the middle who has a ridiculous number of tackles. However going with a backup quarterback for the rest of CFL season will be a learning curve, graded hard early.
6. Toronto Argonauts
With Ricky Ray, the Argos are an efficient offensive machine with gaudy pass completion numbers. Without him, they have a mediocre offense at best combined with a decent defence. Not a great recipe against the better teams in the league.
7. Edmonton Eskimos
I saw someone comment on the internet that this is the best 1 and 8 team ever. That is true and the Eskimos came close to upsetting the Stamps in Calgary. Quarterback Mike Reilly has decent pass numbers and has improved with more starts. To move up the rankings the Eskimos will actually have to win a game. Can they win enough to save head coach's Kavis Reed's job? Doubtful.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Beaten pretty soundly in Regina last week, although the first half was something of a moral victory for a team with one win. Lots of quarterbacks on the roster, but one hasn't really emerged. Changing the general manager and offensive co-ordinator mid-season isn't good for a team's power rankings.
Anthony Calvillo on the Nine Game Disabled List
The Montreal Alouettes have placed Anthony Calvillo on the nine game disabled list. Obviously Calvillo's concussion must be pretty serious for this move to be made. Calvillo could come back for the playoffs after the nine games, as well teams can take two players off the nine game list per year early(as the Cats did with Dave Stala). Putting Calvillo on the nine game list has the effect that his salary for those nine games doesn't count towards the salary cap. Calvillo's salary is by far the highest on Montreal so not having to count half of it would be significant, and likely more than $200,000 if he stayed on the list for the entire nine games.
This benefits the Tiger-Cats because the Alouettes are forced to go with backup quarterbacks for the rest of the season. Sure Montreal beat Toronto last week, but that was a battle of backups with Ricky Ray gone. Montreal will have a tougher time beating Calgary, Saskatchewan and BC with a backup. Their defence does appear to be excellent this year so the Cats will have play well themselves to place above Montreal.
Weirdly with Cavillo and Ray both out, the Cats have a legitimate chance at first in the East. Which would mean a home playoff game in the 13,000 University of Guelph stadium.
This benefits the Tiger-Cats because the Alouettes are forced to go with backup quarterbacks for the rest of the season. Sure Montreal beat Toronto last week, but that was a battle of backups with Ricky Ray gone. Montreal will have a tougher time beating Calgary, Saskatchewan and BC with a backup. Their defence does appear to be excellent this year so the Cats will have play well themselves to place above Montreal.
Weirdly with Cavillo and Ray both out, the Cats have a legitimate chance at first in the East. Which would mean a home playoff game in the 13,000 University of Guelph stadium.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Shot of Tim Horton's Field, September 2nd, 2013
Here's a shot I took of the skeleton of the East side stands of the new Tim Horton's Field. Progress is coming along. The West stands are farther behind, but being ready for June next shouldn't be too difficult.
Monday, September 2, 2013
What is Tim Horton's Paying for Naming Rights For the New Ticats Stadium? 2015 Grey Cup in Hamilton?
I'm curious what Tim Horton's is paying for naming rights for the new stadium. I found this article from CHML's Ted Michaels, with the following info:
"While the actual total of the agreement was not publicized, sources tell Inside the CFL that the naming rights were purchased for between $10 million and $15 million."
The article says it is a ten year deal, so the price is between $ 1 million and 1.5 million per year. That's significantly less than the $2.7 million per year that BMO paid for BMO Field in Toronto, which I discussed in this earlier post.
From that post "Obviously there's a lot of visibility on the Gardner Expressway from cars, but Toronto FC games currently receive miniscule television ratings compared to CFL games and usually the games involve an American opponent. For Scotiabank Place, the arena of the Ottawa Senators, Scotiabank paid $21 million over 15 years. Is $10 million over 10 years possible for a rebuilt stadium?"
Interesting that the Cats could be getting more money than the Senators stadium. I do wonder what the new price for BMO stadium will be when the contract comes up again. As I said, high value for the location, but not a lot of television visibility.
The Ticats will eventually host the Grey Cup at their stadium, sooner than later and perhaps as early as 2015 (mentioned in this 2010 article from Perry Lefko). That has to have some real monetary value for Tim Horton's, as does the potential that the Cats could host it again before the ten year deal is up (perhaps Grey Cup 2023). Of course Hamilton last hosted the Grey Cup in 1996 and 1972 before that and the 1996 wasn't particularly successful. The new modern Grey Cup is usually sold out now independent of the city, so Hamilton hosting it again shouldn't be a problem (and with Bob Young's marketing muscle it could be impressive).
The question is how many temporary fans can be shoehorned in to watch the game. I've never really gotten a firm number on that, however one assumes that in the design that is accounted for. We'll see.
"While the actual total of the agreement was not publicized, sources tell Inside the CFL that the naming rights were purchased for between $10 million and $15 million."
The article says it is a ten year deal, so the price is between $ 1 million and 1.5 million per year. That's significantly less than the $2.7 million per year that BMO paid for BMO Field in Toronto, which I discussed in this earlier post.
From that post "Obviously there's a lot of visibility on the Gardner Expressway from cars, but Toronto FC games currently receive miniscule television ratings compared to CFL games and usually the games involve an American opponent. For Scotiabank Place, the arena of the Ottawa Senators, Scotiabank paid $21 million over 15 years. Is $10 million over 10 years possible for a rebuilt stadium?"
Interesting that the Cats could be getting more money than the Senators stadium. I do wonder what the new price for BMO stadium will be when the contract comes up again. As I said, high value for the location, but not a lot of television visibility.
The Ticats will eventually host the Grey Cup at their stadium, sooner than later and perhaps as early as 2015 (mentioned in this 2010 article from Perry Lefko). That has to have some real monetary value for Tim Horton's, as does the potential that the Cats could host it again before the ten year deal is up (perhaps Grey Cup 2023). Of course Hamilton last hosted the Grey Cup in 1996 and 1972 before that and the 1996 wasn't particularly successful. The new modern Grey Cup is usually sold out now independent of the city, so Hamilton hosting it again shouldn't be a problem (and with Bob Young's marketing muscle it could be impressive).
The question is how many temporary fans can be shoehorned in to watch the game. I've never really gotten a firm number on that, however one assumes that in the design that is accounted for. We'll see.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Hamilton at BC Stat Breakdown
The Cats lost a close one on Friday 29 to 26 in Vancouver. It's disappointing they didn't win, although the three hour time difference always makes it difficult for East teams.
Henry Burris statistically had a great game, going 29 for 36 with 2 TDs and one pick for 352 yards. That's an 80.6% completion percentage which is remarkable in a lowing effort. Two caveats with that performance. The yards per attempt, wasn't great at 9.8 and the yards per completion was mediocre at 12.1 yards. The Cats made a lot of short passes in that game, making them punt more than they should have. Second, Burris was sacked six times (the Cats only had one sack that counted). Sacks are worse than incompletions because of the loss of yards. Still yet another 300 yard plus passing game for Burris.
The receivers generally had a good game with few drops. Ellingson continued his strong bid for the 2013 rookie of the year award with 8 catches for 94 yards and a TD. Bakari Grant had a good game with four catches for 77 yards and a TD and Andy Fantuz was also effective with five catches for 68 yards. Onrea Jones also did well with five catches for 58 yards. Dave Stala had a single catch for 8 yards, taking over Samuel Giguere's non-import spot on the offense.
The running game wasn't much to talk about, although Gable had 45 yards on only five carries which is a good average at least.
Defensively the Cats allowed a lot of passing offense with Travis Lulay passing for 359 yards, going 26 for 36. Andrew Harris had a mediocre day rushing, getting only 39 yards on nine carries.
Linebacker Rico Murray led the Cats with 8 tackles. Boudreaux had a sack, although he should have had another one early in the game, but instead a very dubious horse collar tackle penalty was called.
Overall a good road performance, but not good enough to win. Hopefully the Cats can bounce back against the Lions in Guelph this coming week.
Henry Burris statistically had a great game, going 29 for 36 with 2 TDs and one pick for 352 yards. That's an 80.6% completion percentage which is remarkable in a lowing effort. Two caveats with that performance. The yards per attempt, wasn't great at 9.8 and the yards per completion was mediocre at 12.1 yards. The Cats made a lot of short passes in that game, making them punt more than they should have. Second, Burris was sacked six times (the Cats only had one sack that counted). Sacks are worse than incompletions because of the loss of yards. Still yet another 300 yard plus passing game for Burris.
The receivers generally had a good game with few drops. Ellingson continued his strong bid for the 2013 rookie of the year award with 8 catches for 94 yards and a TD. Bakari Grant had a good game with four catches for 77 yards and a TD and Andy Fantuz was also effective with five catches for 68 yards. Onrea Jones also did well with five catches for 58 yards. Dave Stala had a single catch for 8 yards, taking over Samuel Giguere's non-import spot on the offense.
The running game wasn't much to talk about, although Gable had 45 yards on only five carries which is a good average at least.
Defensively the Cats allowed a lot of passing offense with Travis Lulay passing for 359 yards, going 26 for 36. Andrew Harris had a mediocre day rushing, getting only 39 yards on nine carries.
Linebacker Rico Murray led the Cats with 8 tackles. Boudreaux had a sack, although he should have had another one early in the game, but instead a very dubious horse collar tackle penalty was called.
Overall a good road performance, but not good enough to win. Hopefully the Cats can bounce back against the Lions in Guelph this coming week.
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