I wish Ottawa would try to get an MLS team, we've got the stadium now that the renegades are done again, and we've got a ton of soccer fans here.
Ya if ottawa put a team in a league that mattered like the mls they probably would draw alot of fans. More then the cfl team i would think. Assuming ticket prices were ok.
Ya if ottawa put a team in a league that mattered like the mls they probably would draw alot of fans. More then the cfl team i would think. Assuming ticket prices were ok.
I'd assume they wouldn't be out of hand. I'm going to predict that we have a team here by 2010.
Toronto won't support it. It is a Leaf town and that's it. The only other time they'll support a non-Leaf team is when they're winning.
Marlies, terrible attendance
Jays, overhyped, overrated and people are losing interest
Raptors, been a joke for 5 years and nobody cares
While I love the idea, it simply will not work. They might get decent attendance for a year, but the novelty will wear off and people will stop going.
I don't know man, there aren't that many soccer games at home during a season and with decent marketing, it should be a sure hit. I would think there are enough ethic minorities in TO just by themselves to fill up the games. The thing is the team has to be competent or else they might just drop off the map. You gotta build a solid base. The impact in MTL area perfect example, the caliber of play is decent but more importantly we're always contenders.
I don't know man, there aren't that many soccer games at home during a season and with decent marketing, it should be a sure hit. I would think there are enough ethic minorities in TO just by themselves to fill up the games. The thing is the team has to be competent or else they might just drop off the map. You gotta build a solid base. The impact in MTL area perfect example, the caliber of play is decent but more importantly we're always contenders.
I agree I don't think the als would have sold out all those games in a row if they weren't grey cup conteders every year.
I don't know man, there aren't that many soccer games at home during a season and with decent marketing, it should be a sure hit. I would think there are enough ethic minorities in TO just by themselves to fill up the games. The thing is the team has to be competent or else they might just drop off the map. You gotta build a solid base. The impact in MTL area perfect example, the caliber of play is decent but more importantly we're always contenders.
For real...look at the Rock...they average over 15,000 a game or close to it...and it's lacrosse for freak's sake...I know lacrosse is our national sport...I like lacrosse too but it sure isn't mainstream and for Toronto to have a successful franchise that gets a lot of support is good.
I agree though that Toronto is a Leafs town first and foremost...the key is going to be putting a decent product on the field and sustaining the growth of the team through the first few years of sucking...only MLSE could pull it off I think...they're the only visible company that can absorb the losses year after year until the support comes around...I bet Mats Sundin or Chris Bosh (on his next contract) will make more than the entire Toronto FC roster per year...that ain't much cost to MLSE overall.
Toronto getting a MLS team is a very bad news for Montreal soccer fans. Right now the Impact is the most skilled team in the USL tier 1 and with the Toronto FC in the MLS next year a lot of our players will probably try their chance there so we will be less competive therefore we'll lose fan support. With less fans no stadium and with no stadium no MLS team in Montreal. Unless Saputo does it quick, I think that an MLS team in Montreal is out of the picture.
Jays, overhyped, overrated and people are losing interest
You bite your tongue.
Actually, I'm really pissed off at my felow Toronto fans. The team is not overrated. I'm not going to get into why because this isn't the thread to debate that..
But I mean, the Jays are the only ticket in town and it seems like they'd all rather spend $200 to see a horrid Leafs team, and not spend $40 to see a very entertaining and exciting Jays squad.
Actually, I'm really pissed off at my felow Toronto fans. The team is not overrated. I'm not going to get into why because this isn't the thread to debate that..
But I mean, the Jays are the only ticket in town and it seems like they'd all rather spend $200 to see a horrid Leafs team, and not spend $40 to see a very entertaining and exciting Jays squad.
They aren't drawing bad. I mean it could be better, but it isn't the expos kind of bad. The Raptors draw better than the boston celtics and Philly 76ers.
Yeah I'm trying to stay positive about it. Shabutie, let me know when you're coming down and we'll wear our Habs jerseys to the game! haha
Ugh. Please don't. I don't say this as a Leaf fan; I say it as a Toronto FC fan.
At the Jays game this past week a few Habs fan attended and paraded around the 500 section with Habs gear on and a giant banner that said "LEAFS SUCK". Ignoring the fact that it was a bit rich of Habs fan to prance around so arrogantly on the heals of their playoff elimination, I just hated the fact that they chose a Blue Jay game to vent their hatred of the Leafs. Yes, we both dislike each other. Yes, there is a rivalry. But Hockey season is over, and with a contending team on the field, I want the crowd at the Skydome to be about the Jays and baseball. I found it obnoxious and disrespectful of the Hab fans to promote their anti-Leaf agenda at a Jays game.
I've waited a long time for soccer of this quality to come to Toronto. I'd hate to see it turned into anything else but about the team on the field.
They aren't drawing bad. I mean it could be better, but it isn't the expos kind of bad. The Raptors draw better than the boston celtics and Philly 76ers.
The Raptors rank 7th in gate profits or something. And in the top 10 in the league attendance.
For a team that's poised to make a top 5 pick or whatever they have in the upcoming draft? That's pretty good.
The Raptors rank 7th in gate profits or something. And in the top 10 in the league attendance.
For a team that's poised to make a top 5 pick or whatever they have in the upcoming draft? That's pretty good.
But I hate basketball.
I understand, but I am just pointing out the facts because it seems that many people not from Toronto usually want the other toronto teams to fail and be relocated.
I understand, but I am just pointing out the facts because it seems that many people not from Toronto usually want the other toronto teams to fail and be relocated.
I didn't mean to question your statement. I just quoted you because you were talking about Raptors attendance.
I'd assume they wouldn't be out of hand. I'm going to predict that we have a team here by 2010.
An MLS team?
I'd be willing to take that bet. IMO, there is no way that Ottawa gets an MLS team. MLS is more interested in developing American soccer, and is only giving a team to Toronto because it has proven leadership (MLSE), a big television market (would be what, like the 5th largest market in the US, if it were American?) and a soccer specific stadium. Ottawa doesn't have anything like that. Furthermore, the MLS is talking about expansion into other American cities, like San Antonio, San Jose (who just recently lost their Earthquakes) and Rochester (the Rhinos are a massively popular A League team in that area).
If you mean that Ottawa will get an A-league team (you may be, since I didn't get a chance to see the first page of this discussion, because my internet connection is preventing me for some reason) that may be more than possible. However, even in Canada for the MLS, I would wager that Montreal and Vancouver have a better chance. Both the Impact and Whitecaps are relatively popular in those markets, and have proven leadership. They've also discussed making soccer specific stadias. Again, it will be unlikely, since MLS's primary goal is to improve American soccer, but those 2 cities would be considered above Ottawa is they decide to expand to Canada again.
I'd be willing to take that bet. IMO, there is no way that Ottawa gets an MLS team. MLS is more interested in developing American soccer, and is only giving a team to Toronto because it has proven leadership (MLSE), a big television market (would be what, like the 5th largest market in the US, if it were American?) and a soccer specific stadium. Ottawa doesn't have anything like that. Furthermore, the MLS is talking about expansion into other American cities, like San Antonio, San Jose (who just recently lost their Earthquakes) and Rochester (the Rhinos are a massively popular A League team in that area).
If you mean that Ottawa will get an A-league team (you may be, since I didn't get a chance to see the first page of this discussion, because my internet connection is preventing me for some reason) that may be more than possible. However, even in Canada for the MLS, I would wager that Montreal and Vancouver have a better chance. Both the Impact and Whitecaps are relatively popular in those markets, and have proven leadership. They've also discussed making soccer specific stadias. Again, it will be unlikely, since MLS's primary goal is to improve American soccer, but those 2 cities would be considered above Ottawa is they decide to expand to Canada again.
I have to agree...although the MLS is still in that phase where even though they've been around for over 10 years, which is impressive, they still aren't completely stable, as evidenced by some franchises moving around. Still though, I think the MLS would go back to their old cities like San Jose before having another Canadian franchise...
