It appears the on-ice futility is finally starting to catch up with the Toronto Maple Leafs,...

It appears the on-ice futility is finally starting to catch up with the Toronto Maple Leafs, cashbox kings of the NHL.

For the first time since moving into the Air Canada Centre 10 years ago, the NHL’s richest franchise confirms that it has been unable to lease an unspecified number of the facility’s 152 luxury suites for Leafs games this season.

— Robert MacLeod, The Globe and Mail

2 months ago James Mirtle 17 comments 0 recs |

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This

should wake somebody up…

by Kenjamin on Nov 19, 2009 2:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The shitty economy might have an effect. Does that not sell papers anymore?

Great article though.
Doesn’t give any hard numbers.
Doesn’t ask the other markets Peddie mentioned how they are doing.
Doesn’t see if it’s affecting other teams in other leagues to see if it’s part of a larger trend.

Great article.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 19, 2009 8:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Because every article needs to be a Pulitzer, or news magazine style research article? Man, how much ink do you really want to be devoted to an entertainment company’s bottom line during a recession?

The guy got some news. He reported it. That’s his job. If the story has legs, he (or someone else at the G&M) will pursue it further.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Nov 19, 2009 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So fans of small market teams can complain when reporters don’t give the full story to try to make things worse but Leaf fans can’t?

How about providing some context. It doesn’t have to be great but why not make it at least worthwhile.

Man, how much ink do you really want to be devoted to an entertainment company’s bottom line during a recession?

I had a comment. I commented it. That’s my job. If the complaint has legs someone else will pursue it further.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 19, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the article was worthwhile, if for no other reason than it is quite unheard of to have empty box seats at the ACC. He sought out the reasons why it’s a tough sell locally now. It was a local story for a local paper (believe it or not, the G&M is a Southern Ontario paper). Again, there are limitations in the size of the article… he focused on the local aspects and didn’t go with a national focus. Yeah, what a terrible article.

And I don’t know what “small markets” have to do with this discussion. No one mentioned them until you just now.

I had a comment. I commented it. That’s my job. If the complaint has legs someone else will pursue it further.

Heh, good one. But you get paid to comment? That’s a sweet gig in this economy. :)

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Nov 19, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we’re 65 or 70 per cent a Southern Ontario paper. We’ve got editions for the whole country, a whole bureau in Vancouver, etc., etc. But Toronto coverage is a huge part of things, no doubt.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Nov 19, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe now that people are staying away the leafs will magically turn into a good team. Every leaf hater and reporter seems to think that the only way the leafs will get good is for the fans to stay away, now that it seems to have started just a little, people are ripping on them for that……. cant make anyone happy

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Nov 19, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Soooooooooo

the mighty Maple Leaf is infallible and therefore shant be criticized, scrutinized, minimized or doubted?

by yerry.take on Nov 19, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sure they can be criticized

but maybe, you know, give some evidence that supports your conclusion, that it is the on-ice product causing the slow down in sales and not something perhaps far more important like the economy.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Nov 19, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He did mention both. And the Blue Jays guy said that with every Toronto team struggling, the whole value of the sports dollar to the Bay Street types is diminished.

He asked guys that know the market. They were the sources for his article.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Nov 19, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The point is that it could have been a much better and more interesting article.

Sorry we offended your…cousin?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 19, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, you offended my opinion. That’s what debates are generally about.

This is fun, though. Mod fight!

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Nov 19, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No deleting each other.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Nov 19, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

That’s exactly what I am saying. Smarten up.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 19, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it's true

As a long suffering fan of the Leafs, I truly hope that their crap on-ice performance finally starts impacting MLSE’s bottom line. There should be some financial repercussions for having a last place team.

by eboy71 on Nov 19, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It might be the economy, but it’s not just the high priced suites that are available. All season long the Leafs have been sending out emails offering tickets for sale. You can sign up or purchase tickets here.

They claim it’s only 24 to 72 hours notice, but their last email had seats available on select games through December 21.

Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...

by mf37 on Nov 19, 2009 3:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lesson learned: no one, not even we, are immune to a perfect storm of a bad economy, a bad team and a bad stretch. Even if we’re only a little bit susceptible.

by Vent on Nov 19, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs