York Stadium Argos OFFICIALLY pull out

[G-Man]

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

Although a ton were built for South Korea & Japan in 2002.

Thoe days are over. Germany 2006? I wonder how many were built for the Holland this summer?

[imported_n/a1394647443]

Let's share the 'wealth

York University stadium fiasco could open the door for Edmonton in 2007

By KEITH BRADFORD -- Edmonton Sun

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2005/04/28/1016670.html

It's been called a kick in the head for Canadian soccer.

But the fallout from the York University stadium fiasco might just leave Edmonton with the political equivalent of an open goal.

Commonwealth Stadium was initially announced as the chosen venue for the final of the 2007 FIFA world under-20 soccer championship.

But the Canadian Soccer Association recently "clarified'' the situation by saying that the two cities already selected as tournament hosts - Edmonton and Toronto - would both be considered for the marquee game. Anything to do with Toronto's bid to build a 25,000-seater stadium on the grounds of York University?

"We simply said we are going to reserve judgment just now,'' CSA COO Kevan Pipe told the Sun yesterday.

"Our board of directors has said that we are going to be making a decision on the final in July.''

The York stadium project was rocked this week by news that one of the funding partners - the Toronto Argonauts - has been offered a rent-free deal to stay at the Rogers Centre.

The Argos are expected to confirm in the next few days whether they will pull out of a deal to pay the final $20 million of the $70-million, 25,000-seat York stadium.

RACE AGAINST TIME

Word is they'll take advantage of the free rent, which could force the stadium project to be downsized - and leave the CSA facing a race against time to get it ready for 2007.

Pipe said "the most fantastic'' stadium available to the CSA in Canada, regardless of what happens in Toronto, is Commonwealth.

So why not just declare Edmonton the winner now?

"All we are saying is 'let's wait and see what happens,' '' said Pipe.

In the meantime, Edmonton continues to lobby hard for the right to host the final.

And given the success of the 2002 Women's Under-19 World Championships, Edmonton has a pretty persuasive case.

"Edmonton's representatives have and will continue to push Edmonton's case that this is the ideal spot to have this event,'' said Edmonton Economic Development Corporation spokesman Kenn Bur.

All that should be left is for the CSA to rubber-stamp the deal. And for Edmonton soccer fans to show up in their thousands.

[Richard]

Edmonton would be a logical fallback.

[Winnipeg Fury]

York may go ahead with stadium on its own

By DAVID NAYLOR

Friday, April 29, 2005 Page A20

York University has decided not to wait for the Toronto Argonauts to make up their minds on involvement in a proposed new outdoor stadium and is moving ahead on the project with or without the Canadian Football League team.

"Everything is so time sensitive [that] if we're going to meet the [deadline for the 2007 under-20 world soccer championship], I don't have the luxury of waiting around," said Bud Purves, president of the York University Development Corporation. "If there's a potential plan B, we have to get onto it right away."

Last week the Argos, who had partnered with York and the Canadian Soccer Association to construct a 25,000-seat facility on the York campus, revealed that they might remain as tenants at the Rogers Centre, formerly the SkyDome.

Asked when he expected to hear that the Argos have reached a decision regarding the stadium, Mr. Purves said, "At some point in time we're going to reach our own conclusions."

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This was to be the week the university selected its architect and design for the stadium. However, the school has postponed that process while it conducts due diligence on the project without the Argos involved. It's uncertain whether that due diligence will reveal the project can go ahead or not.

"I didn't want to bring the architects in and talk about a variety of designs that might be," Mr. Purves said. "We have to come up with a new proof of concept."

The Argos had committed $20-million for the $70-million facility in the form of a donation to York, with $50-million in contributions coming from the federal and provincial governments. If the Argos aren't involved, elements required by the football club at the facility won't be needed. For instance, last week the CSA said it can live with a stadium that seats only 20,000; the Argos wanted 25,000.

"It's a different deal than what our board approved and what our funding partners were given," said Mr. Purves, adding that he'd been impressed with the degree of government co-operation.

It's believed that the Argonauts will make an announcement next week regarding their stadium future. Barring unforeseen developments, it's expected the team will reach an agreement with Rogers Media, owners of the Blue Jays and Rogers Centre, to remain in the facility beyond the 2006 season.

There were reports last week that Rogers had offered the Argos a rent-free deal, but it's also believed the two parties have many details to work out before an arrangement can be finalized.

Blue Jays president and chief executive officer Paul Godfrey, who oversees operations at the Rogers Centre, has refused to publicly discuss the possibility of the Argos staying long term.

The Argos' decision to reconsider their involvement at York surprised both the university and the CSA.

"We had positive meetings this week and we're moving forward," CSA chief operating officer Kevan Pipe said yesterday.

Argo owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski have remained vague about their plans since news that they might pull out of the York project broke last Friday. When they bought the franchise in the fall of 2003, they committed to building a new football-friendly facility and trumpeted the commitment as the centrepiece of their vision for the franchise.

The club has lost money for more than a decade.

[aussoccerfan]

quote:Originally posted by HamiltonSteelers

Sadly, this has been the trend in minor league sports marketing over the last 10-15 years. It's not the sport but the event. You go to an Arena Football game, but you 'experience' the evening.

The drawback is that you risk alienating the 'true fans' of the game by pandering to the little kids. Somewhere a long time ago, somebody determined that if you have a goofy nickname for a club *cough*Mighty Ducks*cough* and an even more rediculous mascot that somehow these things will draw people in. It does work, but only on a game-to-game basis.

In Hamilton, the DJ is a moron. The guy plays bad modern music and outdated retro crap AS SOON AS THE BALL GOES OUT OF PLAY. Nothing like a 20 second clip of a Duran Duran classic to get the crowd on their feet. We've mentioned this to the Thunder staff but he (the DJ) apparently does not want to listen to either fans or players, which is tragic.

But this is the stigma of minor league pro sports. The marketing demonstrates so little faith in the product that it has to be watered down with cheap stunts and assinine gimmicks. I would take a Syracuse FC or Rochester Lancers far more serious than a Syracuse Salty Dogs or a Rochester Raging Rhinos, but these people have figured that I'll go anyways since I like soccer, and they will compromise their position by adding a demeaning monicker to sucker in the soccer moms and their children because of the silly mascot.

Trust me, I hate all of this more than you know

Know what's even more annoying ?

THIS! (photo, approx. 600KB)

LIKE SHARKS IN A FEEDING FRENZY!

Story behind photo here-

http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4597

[DJT]

aussoccerfan, that photo is a bit too big to post, so I converted it to a link.

[Joe Keeper]

It sounds like York (and possibly the CSA too)are trying to force the Argos hand a little bit and make them see what they could miss out on. Its nice to know that at least York are commited to this.

I dont know about everyone else but, I could certainly live with a 20,000 seater, especially with the MLS expansion at risk too...

[DoyleG]

That is if the 20,000 turns out the way MLS wants it to be.

Although MLS was probley more betting on the original facility.

[Winnipeg Fury]

Canadian Soccer Association boss expects York stadium to go ahead

VAUGHAN, Ont. (CP) - The Toronto Argonauts have not yet officially severed their ties to the York University stadium project but Canadian Soccer Association president Andy Sharpe believes the CFL team is going its own way.

"I don't know for sure, but personally my sense is yes they're out of it," Sharpe said Saturday.

The Argos are mulling over an attractive deal to remain at the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome. The Argo owners had been expected to contribute $20 million, plus cover any cost overruns, to the $70-million York University stadium.

The proposed York facility, along with Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, is a cornerstone to Canada hosting the 2007 world under-20 soccer championships.

Still Sharpe believed a stadium will be built at York, albeit a downsized one.

"I'm very confident the stadium will get sorted out. It might be a scaled-down version . .. but York University is sticking with us. I see that (the stadium) happening."

The stadium issue could be front and centre this week. Facing tight deadlines and with calls for architects already out, York has to make a decision pronto on whether to go ahead.

With virtually no money in the stadium project, the CSA is more of a tenant than a partner. But its work in securing the 2007 World Youth Championship did help unlock government coffers.

The federal government has already agreed to contribute $27 million and the provincial government $8 million to the stadium project. The university is contributing the land and $15 million.

The Argos still have to announce which way they are going. And the Canadian Soccer Association must go ahead with final decisions over which four venues will join Toronto and Edmonton as host cities for the 2007 tournament.

The CSA has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in Toronto to announce the winning bid cities.

[El Hombre]

It's official. Argos are out.

From TSN.CA:

Argos staying at Rogers Centre

Canadian Press

5/2/2005 12:27:27 PM

TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Argonauts confirmed Monday they are staying at the Rogers Centre, a $20-million blow to plans to build an outdoor stadium at York University.

The CFL team said the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, had won it over with promises of a good schedule, enhanced facility and better financial terms.

''We want to be in a stadium that can accommodate our growing support, with a fan and family-friendly schedule, and fit with our economic structure,'' Argonauts co-owner David Cynamon said in a statement.

The Argos had initially agreed to contribute $20 million, plus look after any cost overruns, to the planned $70-million York stadium. The federal and provincial governments have agreed to provide a total of $35 million with York supplying another $15 million and the land.

The Canadian Soccer Association helped open up those government coffers by winning the right to host the 2007 world under-20 soccer tournament.

''At this time we are focusing on updating the project requirements and plans to reflect the decision by the Argos, in order to develop a viable solution,'' stated Gary Brewer, York's Vice-President, Finance and Administration. ''This has been a very time-sensitive project from the beginning. We continue to work to tight timelines and will be dealing with many variables over the coming weeks.''

The timing of the news is unfortunate for the CSA, which has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in Toronto to announce which four cities will join Toronto and Edmonton in hosting the soccer tournament.

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by El HombreThe Canadian Soccer Association helped open up those government coffers by winning the right to host the 2007 world under-20 soccer tournament.

THAT's the plan???? [xx(]

[Massive Attack]

The Argo owners are holding a press conference at 3:00 PM. They will also be on Prime Time Sports at 5:30pm. Audio link to Fan 590 listed below:

http://www.fan590.com/mediaplayer/mediaPlayer.jsp

It will be interesting to see how the Argo's 'spin' this decision after selling a cozy, outdoor stadium for over a year and a half.

It will also be interesting to see how the CSA and York will carry on without the Argo's.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a side note, the Fan 590 is reporting that the CSA has stated that the stadium will still be built, but with only 20,000 seats.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CSA response to the Argo's decision:

Canadian Soccer Association

Monday, May 02, 2005

CSA Issues Statement on York University Stadium

The Canadian Soccer Association today released the following statement following the Toronto Argonauts’ decision to stay at the Rogers Centre.

"We are disappointed with the confirmation today from the Toronto Argonauts that they have decided to stay at the Rogers Centre. We have been working for the past 10 days with our partners at York University to ensure the success of a 20,000 soccer stadium for the FIFA World Youth Championship Canada 2007.

Our discussions with both York University and our partners at the federal and provincial levels have been most positive and encouraging. The CSA continues to work toward the construction of the York University stadium in partnership with our stakeholders and looks forward to its grand opening in July 2007 for the FIFA World Youth Championship.”

http://canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=2149

[El Hombre]

TSN has updated their story with interviews with Pipe and York brass:

Argos staying at Rogers Centre

Canadian Press

5/2/2005 12:27:27 PM

TORONTO (CP) - Like the money base behind it, the proposed stadium at York University is getting smaller.

With the Toronto Argonauts officially pulling out of the project to stay at the Rogers Centre, the Canadian Soccer Association said Monday the stadium has shrunk to 20,000 seats from 25,000.

The CSA, which made the stadium the cornerstone of its successful bid to host the world under-20 men's soccer championship in 2007, insists the York project remained on track, despite the loss of the Argos' $20-million contribution.

''We're moving forward with our stadium project and are very confident in our ability to ensure that this stadium will be built,'' Kevan Pipe, CSA chief operating officer, said in an interview Monday.

But the university, which called the Argos' decision ''disappointing, although not wholly unexpected,'' has been less definitive. While saying it is looking at developing a ''viable solution,'' it has not said the stadium is a done deal.

Gary Brewer, York's vice-president of finance and administration, said in a statement Monday that the university board of governors ''will make the final determination on the stadium project once the available options have been presented and all the information has been assessed.''

A final decision is needed within days - the university is finalizing architects and the project has to start by October if the venue is to be ready for the June 1, 2007, start of the World Youth Championship.

In making its announcement Monday, the Argos said that the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, had won it over with promises of a good schedule, enhanced facility and better financial terms.

''We want to be in a stadium that can accommodate our growing support, with a fan and family-friendly schedule, and fit with our economic structure,'' Argonauts co-owner David Cynamon said in a statement.

The Rogers Centre deal, which begins for the 2005 season, could last 15 years - in the form of a five-year agreement with two five-year extensions through the 2019 season.

The Blue Jays, who own the Rogers Centre, said the agreement involves a ''facility licensing fee benefiting both organizations.''

The Argos had initially agreed to contribute $20 million, plus look after any cost overruns, to the planned $70-million York stadium. The federal government agreed to provide $27 million and the provincial government $8 million, with York supplying another $15 million and the land.

The CSA, while strapped for investment cash, did help open up those government coffers by winning the right to host the 2007 World Youth Championship.

Pipe said a 20,000-seat venue is more than acceptable.

''We are in the stages of redesigning this facility now to accommodate 20,000 seats as well as eliminating 85-person dressing rooms that the Argos had initially been looking at and so on.''

Asked if the resulting stadium would be ''no frills,'' Pipe replied: ''Will it be an Air Canada Centre-type facility? No, of course not. You can't build Air Canada Centre-type facilities with the types of money we're talking about.

''But will it be an effective, an efficient stadium that will service our needs from a national perspective as well as many other perspectives for the years to come? . . . Absolutely.''

The revamped stadium, if it goes ahead, will be a single-tier design. At one point, the plan called for two-tier stands on two sides.

The timing of the news is unfortunate for the CSA, which has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in Toronto to announce which four cities will join Toronto and Edmonton in hosting the soccer tournament.

[Daniel]

Grass or no?

[FC Beast]

Death to the Argo's and the CFL. But back to the stadium issue, it

just won't be built simple as that. There goes Toronto's MLS chances,

there goes the Under 20 tournament ( expect FIFA to make an announcement shrotly) and there in a nut shell goes Canadian soccer.

[Robert]

quote:Originally posted by FC Beast

Death to the Argo's and the CFL. But back to the stadium issue, it

just won't be built simple as that. There goes Toronto's MLS chances,

there goes the Under 20 tournament ( expect FIFA to make an announcement shrotly) and there in a nut shell goes Canadian soccer.

Show me the money, or wake me up when the stadium's been built.

With an offer that’s hard to refuse coming from Rogers, what will happen to Toronto’s proposed stadium at York University if the Argonauts accept a lease-free deal? Will Kevan Pipe and the CSA pick up the unpaid tab? If not, where will the money come from?

From the start, the Kevan Pipe led CSA have fully endorsement the building of a stadium at York University. It was instrumental in negotiating a successful bid, which resulted in Canada being awarded the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championships.

With increasing frequency, the awarded rights to host major international sporting events have been rescinded. In 2003, FIFA took the Women’s World Cup away from China due to concerns related to SARS. On the men’s side, Columbia lost a World Cup Finals in 1986. More recently, the FIA World Aquatic Championships, were a on again off again issue.

With a soon to take place Federal election, how inclined would a newly elected Canadian government be to hand over taxpayer dollars for this venture?

If there is no revenue forthcoming from a CFL team, does this proposed stadium lose some of its luster for York University’s plutocrats? It is doubts that the University’s varsity teams will be filling a 20,000 seat facility, and if the number of international soccer games that Canada has played on domestic soil during the last decade is any indicator, then it is safe to assume that the CSA is not about to fill the University coffers.

So where is the money going to come from? The CSA? Doubtful. The Feds? Doubtful. The Argos? Doubtful. York University? Doubtful. FIFA? No Way. Games have been rescinded over health and security concerns. Losing the 2007 World Youth Championships would not be due to such unfortunate circumstances. Kevan Pipe’s blundering would be right up there with the Ben Johnson affair. Could this be the final straw for Kevan Pipe? Call me when the stadium’s been built.

With the current woes of the federal Liberal party, will Joe Volpe still be around in a few month’s time. If Canada 2007 dies, so should the Pipe. Kevan Pipe foolishly put all his eggs into one basket, and if they break so should he.

[bmac]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

Grass or no?

Daniel, I do not know this for sure but I cannot see York investing unless it is a field-turf or some such similar artificial surface.

Multi-use facility. Limited upkeep as compared with a natural surface. More use by intramural and intercollegiate teams.

Too bad. From a soccer perspective I would have preferred grass but quite frankly a new stadium with an artificial "carpet" is preferable to none at all...however, I would not be surprised if the entire project gets "shelved".

[Moosehead]

Sue Rogers for inducing breach of contract between the CSA and The Argos? The irony of having Rogers broadcast the World Cup and Soccer Central and yet they may be responsible for killing our hosting of the 2007 Fifa Wolrd Youth Cup. Their arrogance is amazing.

[FC Beast]

quote:Originally posted by Robert

Show me the money, or wake me up when the stadium's been built.

With an offer that’s hard to refuse coming from Rogers, what will happen to Toronto’s proposed stadium at York University if the Argonauts accept a lease-free deal? Will Kevan Pipe and the CSA pick up the unpaid tab? If not, where will the money come from?

From the start, the Kevan Pipe led CSA have fully endorsement the building of a stadium at York University. It was instrumental in negotiating a successful bid, which resulted in Canada being awarded the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championships.

With increasing frequency, the awarded rights to host major international sporting events have been rescinded. In 2003, FIFA took the Women’s World Cup away from China due to concerns related to SARS. On the men’s side, Columbia lost a World Cup Finals in 1986. More recently, the FIA World Aquatic Championships, were a on again off again issue.

With a soon to take place Federal election, how inclined would a newly elected Canadian government be to hand over taxpayer dollars for this venture?

If there is no revenue forthcoming from a CFL team, does this proposed stadium lose some of its luster for York University’s plutocrats? It is doubts that the University’s varsity teams will be filling a 20,000 seat facility, and if the number of international soccer games that Canada has played on domestic soil during the last decade is any indicator, then it is safe to assume that the CSA is not about to fill the University coffers.

So where is the money going to come from? The CSA? Doubtful. The Feds? Doubtful. The Argos? Doubtful. York University? Doubtful. FIFA? No Way. Games have been rescinded over health and security concerns. Losing the 2007 World Youth Championships would not be due to such unfortunate circumstances. Kevan Pipe’s blundering would be right up there with the Ben Johnson affair. Could this be the final straw for Kevan Pipe? Call me when the stadium’s been built.

With the current woes of the federal Liberal party, will Joe Volpe still be around in a few month’s time. If Canada 2007 dies, so should the Pipe. Kevan Pipe foolishly put all his eggs into one basket, and if they break so should he.

The Canadian and provincal governments are not going to spend

millions on a stadium just to house the York University football team,

or a one time big soccer tournament . The CSA idea to have an MLS

team as a tenent would be helpful but still that wouldn't have enough

dates to make the stadium worth the risk. So what we really have now

is nothing worse for soccer in this country that we didn't have last

year. The CSA should inform FIFA that we can't really do a good job

hosting this tournament and will try again in the future when things

get sorted out.

[Richard]

So because you think the York stadium will not go ahead, that means Canada is unfit and incapable of hosting the 2007 WYC?

[Joe Keeper]

quote:Originally posted by Moosehead

Sue Rogers for inducing breach of contract between the CSA and The Argos? The irony of having Rogers broadcast the World Cup and Soccer Central and yet they may be responsible for killing our hosting of the 2007 Fifa Wolrd Youth Cup. Their arrogance is amazing.

I was dumbfounded by that very irony offered up by Rodgers. Where are the bussiness ethics of this? Is it not generally frowned upon to do somthing of this nature as it is a conflict of interest?

I guess even Rodgers considers Canadian soccer second fiddle to american Baseball...

Personally I would'nt really mind if someone like Fox Sports World took over broadcasting National teams games now. Mabey we would get better coverage.

I wonder what Craig Forrest and Gerry Dobson think of this...

[trueviking]

i would rather have a 20 000 seat GRASS!!!....soccer specific stadium that also could be used for our national rugby team, than a 25 000 seat plastic pitch field that is no good for soccer or rugby and really is only a home for the argos, with other sports making the best of it.

we have lots of football stadiums in canada....not one soccer or rugby stadium.

this could be good news in the long run.

[Robert]

quote:Originally posted by FC Beast

The Canadian and provincal governments are not going to spend

millions on a stadium just to house the York University football team,

or a one time big soccer tournament . The CSA idea to have an MLS

team as a tenent would be helpful but still that wouldn't have enough

dates to make the stadium worth the risk. So what we really have now

is nothing worse for soccer in this country that we didn't have last

year. The CSA should inform FIFA that we can't really do a good job

hosting this tournament and will try again in the future when things

get sorted out.

Two more days and Kevan Pipe will not be able to backtrack any more. Edmonton and Toronto have already been pre-determined as the two major venues for Canada 2007, leaving four venues to be announced on Wednesday, May 4, 2005. Two days, and the CSA will have to announce the six hosting cities to the world. If one more thing goes wrong, such as a spring federal election, and causes the stadium at York University falls through, then Kevan Pipe will have to face the international media and explain why one of the CSA pre-determined cities has no showcase stadium. The World Youth Championship 2007 being staged in Canada could hinge on Paul Martin's chances of staying in office. Hmmmmmmmm.[:0]

[Massive Attack]

Just to set the record straight, the Argo's will now be paying $500,000 a year to play at the SkyDome, down from $750,000 from last year. Hardly the free rent that the media was barking about.

Does anyone have a online subscription to the Globe, I'd really like to read Stephen Brunt's take on all of this?

Oh well, here's some stuff from the Star:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Staff tells York to sue: Source

School might take Argonauts to court

RICK WESTHEAD

So the Argos have signed a pact with Rogers to keep the team downtown and promise to chop their operating expenses by at least one-third.

That's great news since it's possible that the Argos might use those savings to fight a lawsuit.

A source involved with the recently-scuttled bid to build a 25,000-seat football and soccer stadium at York University said several York staff members are pressing the school's executive board to file a lawsuit against the football team alleging breach of contract.

The Argos, sources said, signed a memorandum of understanding with York that laid out how the new stadium would be financed. The school might now use that memorandum as ammunition against the Canadian Football League's lynchpin franchise.

And such a lawsuit may have merit.

By backpedalling from their agreement with York, what the Argos appear to have done is use a not-for-profit university as a stalking horse for rent negotiations with Rogers.

The move worked like a charm. A source familiar with the Argos-Rogers agreement said the football team's annual expenses to hold games at Rogers Centre will be about $500,000, down from as much as $750,000 a year.

And the Argos will have the option of extending the five-year contract by another five years if they're pleased with the deal. The sides have a mutual option for another five years that could be triggered in 2015.

Yet not everyone is celebrating the pact.

``This is an embarrassment,'' said a source involved in the doomed York stadium venture. ``They had a memorandum of understanding with the school, and beyond that, had stood up publicly and pledged that this would go through after the mess with the U of T.''

A possible lawsuit might not be the only negative fallout to emerge from the failed stadium deal.

``It's an opportunity missed,'' said Keith McIntyre, a Toronto sports marketer. ``They've been riding a high the past year but I don't know that they have a lot more upside. Marketers were excited about the new stadium and the chance to have a more intimate setting, instead of trying to build a connection with fans sitting in a cavernous place like Rogers Centre.''

Of course, it's quite possible that Argos owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon, who yesterday admitted the turn of events might make the team seem ``selfish,'' will find a way to sidestep a lawsuit. Maybe they'll promise to cover the school's costs for the stadium project.

Or maybe a larger donation would suffice.

Sokolowski's company, Tribute Communities, one of the largest builders in Canada, has already contributed as much as $500,000 to a York University charitable fund, on whose board he sits, according to financial statements.

Any efforts by embittered York officials to launch a lawsuit, however justified, would probably meet some resistance.

It's more likely that York might want to sue Rogers for trying to entice the Argos to abandon the project north of the city. There's just one problem: It was the football team that went cap in hand to Rogers.

Sadly, the stadium debacle shouldn't come as a surprise. It wasn't too long ago, 1995 in fact, that a CFL team tried to draft a dead player.

Yet when its marquee teams like the Argos find new ways to make bad news, it reflects poorly on the whole league.

That could be bad news for Cynamon and Sokolowski when they grow tired of their CFL investment and want to cash out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Argos end up eating their words on York site, but hey, it's a free meal deal

DAVE PERKINS

The irony of the situation is that Paul Godfrey, who has spent decades seeking an NFL franchise, probably ends up saving this city's team in the Canadian Football League.

The Argonauts, as only makes good financial sense, take the sweetheart deal they sought — and got — from Ted Rogers, through point man Godfrey, to remain in the clamshell formerly called the SkyDome.

So the team survives. If it had gone up to York University, to be a tenant in a small, low-revenue stadium in a traffic-clogged area, the Argos would have become extinct in a short time, it says here.

Now? There's cost certainty for both tenant and landlord and a stronger revenue stream for the Argos, according to the owners, who were spinning like acrobats yesterday in trying to justify the announcement that everybody knew was coming.

They'll be doing plenty more spinning for a long time on this one, after about 18 months of quotes about how insufficient the SkyDome was for football purposes and how they needed their own playpen and so on.

Remember those weepy sentiments: They were going to build it for the fans.

Now? They're staying put in a spiffed-up but still insufficient venue, for the sake of those very same fans.

But — and this is huge — the Argonauts do not need to lay out one cent. Please remember both that $20 million tax deduction to the York charitable foundation and the anticipated cost overruns (which the Argos themselves privately, but not publicly, mentioned). Also, some focus might now switch off York's probe into the Tribute land deals.

The Argos end up with solely weekend dates for home games, which they sought. They'll get second call on the joint that way, after the Blue Jays but ahead of the Wiggles and tractor pulls. That much is a big improvement.

A few weeks ago, when the Argos' feet were getting cold and York University was starting to figure out that it was being played for suckers, the school asked the Argonauts to please show some money. York set an April 22 deadline to have a cheque in hand — and you know there was never going to be any money coming from the soccer people.

Next thing you knew, the story had conveniently (for the Argos) surfaced that the deal downtown was getting better all the time and that just maybe Steeles Ave. wasn't quite the centre of the local football universe. Source material even tossed in the words "rent-free" — even though it wasn't and isn't — but it all sounded like a gun being cocked at York's head.

Rent-free also sounded like a concept enticing Rogers to buy the Argos, in whole or in part — as in, it's free rent when you own both building and team — but all sides are adamant that won't be happening. Not now.

With Rogers receptive and nothing else to squeeze out of York, naturally the Argos walked.

All those customers who bought season tickets on the never-ending promises of Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon to build a compact, open-air, football stadium? Who cares about them?

Team president Keith Pelley said they had "two phone calls" of dissent from angry customers. Sokolowski estimated there were 10 disgruntled patrons. They have been promised refunds, which is only fitting.

The credibility issue for the Argos' owners is the real issue. They hope it will go away as the repositioning of the team begins. And what of Godfrey's actions in all this? The Argos went to him first, not vice-versa, but the resulting three, five-year contracts for the CFL team would seem to preclude the whole idea of the NFL landing in Toronto.

Right, Paul? Wrong, he said.

"I still am an NFL guy," he said yesterday, enjoying the new description as contributing saviour of a CFL team. "I still believe there's a formula by which the NFL and CFL can co-exist. I strongly believe that."

That one remains to be seen. So, too, does York's next move, now that the university and the soccer crowd, once again standing cap-in-hand, are left peeing into the wind.

If both sides persist in using taxpayers' $35 million to build a little stadium up there that will be a disaster, then someone should go to jail. The soccer people are crying big tears now about those meanies, the Argos, but come on. You go swimming with the crocodiles who operate professional sports teams, don't be surprised when you get bitten.

York, too, should be giving its head a shake. After watching the shenanigans with the Argonauts at the U of T, York shouldn't be upset that it was simply used as a springboard for the football team to get a better deal from its landlord.

Better off to get something in writing. York now knows, like the fans know, what Argo stadium promises are worth.

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Back where they started

`Couldn't refuse' offer from Rogers, Argonauts say Stadium project at York U may be scaled back

RICK MATSUMOTO

SPORTS REPORTER

Almost from the moment they purchased the Argonauts 16 months ago, owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon touted the virtues of a small, intimate stadium over the cavernous SkyDome.

Yesterday, however, Sokolowski and Cynamon stood on the new, forest-green carpet of the roofed stadium, now known as the Rogers Centre, singing the praises of a facility that could well be the CFL team's home for the next 15 years.

"We think Rogers Centre has always been a very good place to watch football and now that (it has been upgraded) ... we think it's an even better place to watch football," said Sokolowski.

The Argos' about-face may kill a planned 25,000-seat, $70 million stadium at York University. The school and the Canadian Soccer Association were counting on the Argos to put $20 million into the project, to be built on York land near Steeles Ave. and Keele St. in North York.

The soccer association said yesterday the stadium could still go ahead, albeit in a scaled-back form. York said it was reviewing its options.

The stadium was to be the centrepiece of the 2007 world under-20 soccer championship, which was awarded to Canada by FIFA, soccer's governing body, on the understanding that a soccer facility seating a minimum of 20,000 would be built.

FIFA has stated it has no plan to withdraw the tournament from Canada since games will also be played in five other cities and the final could, ironically, be played at the Rogers Centre.

Kevan Pipe, the soccer association's chief operating officer, was clearly miffed with the Argos yesterday.

"I'm going to deliberately not answer that question," Pipe said in a telephone interview from Ottawa when asked for his reaction to the Argos' announcement.

Sokolowski wished the soccer association good luck.

"Our first priority is to our fans. This franchise has been around for 132 years ... and it is our responsibility that this franchise be around for another 132 years."

Sokolowski would not reveal the details of the deal with Rogers, which he said covers concessions, merchandising, game operation costs, private boxes and parking.

"It's a good deal for us and for Rogers ... it's an offer we couldn't refuse."

A source familiar with the Argos-Rogers agreement told the Star's Rick Westhead that the football team's annual expenses to hold games at the Rogers Centre would drop to about $500,000 from $750,000.

Sokolowski denied suggestions that the deal with Rogers could eventually lead to the communications giant buying all or part of the Argos. Rogers owns the baseball Blue Jays.

"This team is not for sale," Sokolowski said. "David and I are committed to the ownership of this team. That's not on the table right now."

Sokolowski offered four reasons why he and Cynamon decided to remain at the Rogers Centre:

Improvements to the stadium by Rogers since purchasing the stadium from Chicago-based Sportsco.

Attendance at Argo games last season increased to 22,000 from 14,000 in 2003.

Improved scheduling for Argo games.

Better rent conditions.

Sokolowski denied that fears of being on the hook for cost over-runs at York caused them to look to the Rogers offer. He also said the Argos and York had struck a deal on paying costs already incurred in planning for the new stadium.

However, Gary Brewer, York's vice-president of finance and administration, said in an email that final arrangements with the Argos had not been made.

"We have not had any discussions with the Argos regarding the disposition of costs on the project incurred to date, given we have only just received confirmation today of their decision to stay at the Rogers Centre," Brewer wrote.

"Fortunately we were in the design and planning stages of the project, and no major cost commitments had been made."

Brewer confirmed the university was reviewing options to build the stadium without the Argos.

He added that a decision had to be made quickly in order to come up with new plans, hire architects and a construction company and put a shovel in the ground by Oct. 1.

That's the deadline for being ready for the June 1, 2007, start of the under-20 soccer championship.

He stressed that any plan must be approved by York's board of governors.

Pipe was optimistic a stadium can be built.

"There is certainly a (financial) gap and we're revisiting our costing estimates right now. We're making the stadium that much more soccer specific because it is becoming largely a soccer stadium as well as housing York University football."

Pipe said provincial and federal government grants totalling $35 million were approved to bring the youth soccer tournament to Canada — not to build a stadium for the Argos — and he expects those commitments stand.

With $15 million committed by York, the project has $50 million to build a scaled-down 20,000-seat facility.

[Free kick]

I wonder how things might be different today had those NIMBY's at Bay and Bloor not killed the Varsity project. Thats where I think things started to fall apart. That location would have surely been more paletable to the Argos. Wouldn't be surprised if the Argos, first thought of this decision at that particular moment. Problem with York is that its not on teh subway line.