It’s possible that the renovations will make the fan experience better – although it’s unclear who was pushing for them among fans – but very few TFC fans care or are excited by what’s happening.
It’s all about the Argos and the fear of what having them there will do to the playing surface.
By now, there is little point reiterating the concerns. This is a topic fans have been talking about for about five years. There doesn’t even seem to be much point in galvanizing support to oppose the possibility. MLSE knows the fans’ position. It’s clear that this is a decision that the fans have very little control over.
All we can do is take stock of where things are. As was widely reported today, time is of the essence (for the Argos) to get a deal done. It was said today that if a deal isn’t in place in “one month” then the possibility of the Argos moving in will be pushed back a year.
That said, it was reported by the Toronto Star last month that there was a one month deadline to get a deal done. Clearly, time is a bit flexible.
If you read a bit between the lines a few more things are clear.
The club was clearly preparing fans for the possibility of a deal. Tim Leiweke wrote a letter to season ticket holders that went a little too overboard in stressing their commitment to soccer while at same time writing “As a city-owned facility, the purpose of the renovations has been to enhance the soccer experience at BMO Field, for both the team and its fans, while improving the stadium’s ability to host other events.”
City owned facility. Host other events.
The “city owned” line is important because it speaks to what else is clear. That is that the desire to do this isn’t coming from MLSE, but rather the city’s political class. MLSE investigated the possibility of buying the Argos last year and ran away screaming. They have next to no interest in owning the team and without owning it there is almost no upside to letting them play at BMO.
This isn’t to suggest MLSE is the great protector of the integrity of TFC and soccer. No, their indifference is financial. They fear that hosting the Argos will hurt their asset. TFC fans are a pain in their ass at the best of times and they understand that this will cause incredible pushback from TFC fans.
They also aren’t dumb. They are well aware that the rhetoric they give about the pitch not suffering is not based on any real world testing. And, if the field can’t handle it then they run the risk of losing the ability to attract top players. If they have to replace the field with turf they run the risk of TFC fans burning the stadium to the ground.
Maybe it works, some might say. Technology evolves and maybe there is a way to maintain the surface. If not now, then in a few years.
That is possible, but it’s also a risk. Given their choice they would rather play it safe. If the Argos aren’t there none of this is an issue.
Here I’m going to take a brief aside to address the inevitable CFL fan that has wandered into here from the link on Reddit (I assume). Hi. How’s the weather in Regina? Ok, here’s the thing. Your perception about the value and popularity of TFC is simply wrong (if your friends who yell at me on Twitter are representative of you). Putting aside pointless conversations about who has more fans in Toronto (your TV numbers prove nothing. They are national numbers; equally our season ticket base advantage must be viewed in full context to your stadium situation at the Dome), what you need to understand is that TFC is profitable both locally and, more importantly, as part of a North American market for soccer. MLS is a league that is currently attracting $100-million expansion fees. TFC would be worth at least that in a sale. It isn’t close. MLS and TFC is far, far more valuable a property than the Argos and the CFL. I don’t say this to attack your sport, but rather to help you understand how little leverage the Argos have here. From MLSE’s perspective, bringing the Argos to BMO is almost literally charity. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.
That reality is why there isn’t a deal yet. As stated above, the only reason this is on the table is because the city’s politicians are fighting for it. No one wants to be the one who kills the Argos, especially those who run for office. MLSE doesn’t want to be the ones who take the shotgun behind the shed here either. At least not openly. So, they are cooperating to a point.
They are giving the Argos the opportunity to pay their own way. That’s MLSE’s position. Pay for the entire conversion. If they are going to risk their asset they aren’t paying a penny.
If the CFL and Argos refuse to pay it then MLSE can use that as a way to appease the politicians. It would be their choice. They would have made their own bed.
We suspect the Argos lack the resources to pay for it. So that leaves the league. The CFL needs to decide whether the Argos are worth about $16-million (based on the $26-million figure quoted today minus the $10-million the city willing to pay) to them.
Speaking to CFL fans again: Here’s the thing guys. Even if this happens it’s a band aid at best. And, before you dismiss my opinion here know that I understand the CFL argument better than you think. Before I covered soccer, I wrote about CIS football. I know your sport.
I also understand how bad the Argos situation is. I know that they will have nowhere to play after 2017. I get that this is a life or death issue in your mind and that you feel that the Argos will fold if they aren’t permitted to play at BMO.
You might be right. Speaking as someone that just watched my childhood team, the Belleville Bulls, die I fully empathize with you.
But, BMO isn’t Molson Stadium and Toronto in 2015 isn’t Montreal in 1999. This romantic notion that the Argos are going to move in and suddenly become the in thing to do in the city isn’t based on anything more than hope.
BMO isn’t intimate (30,000 seats), not really that easy to get to, cold and the Argos will still get the shaft on dates.
More importantly, as tenants at BMO, the Argos will not have any additional revenue streams beyond ticket sales. Unless the team is selling out every game – and, again, what evidence is there that they will? What real evidence? – they will still lose money. Probably a lot of it.
I fully understand how impossible what I’m about to write seems, but it truly is the only thing that can truly provide the Argos with any type of long-term stability.
You need your own stadium.
Otherwise you are just delaying the inevitable and possibly taking soccer down with you.