SPORTSNIGHT 360 TAKES IT'S ANNUAL SUMMER BREAK . IT DOESN'T MEANS SPORTS CEASES TO EXIST. LET ME WARN YOU OF THINGS TO COME IN THIS SUMMER OF 2007. TRUST ME NOW.
BARRY BONDS WILL HIT HIS 756TH HOME RUN. HE'LL DO IT AT WRIGLEY FIELD
IN CHICAGO. THE CUBS FANS WILL HONOUR BONDS FOR PASSING HENRY AARON'S
ALL TIME RECORD AND THEN THEY'LL THROW THE HOME RUN BALL BACK ON THE
FIELD.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, OUR NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, WILL BEAT A TEAM FROM
SOMEPLACE LIKE THE TURKS AND CAICOS IN ONE OF THOSE ENDLESS RUNUP
TOURNAMENTS TO THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
VICTORY OVER THIS CARIBEAN OUTPOST, SOCCER CANADA IN TORONTO WILL
DECLARE THAT CANADA IS READY TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL.
COUNT ON THE NEW YORK YANKEES CLOSING TO A SINGLE GAME OF THE RED SOX BY
SEPTEMBER. IN THE SHOWDOWN SERIES AT FENWAY PARK ALEX CORA WILL HIT HIS
2ND HOME RUN OF THE SEASON AND ERASE FOREVER MIKE TORREZ AND BUCKY DENT
AND THE RED SOX GO TO THE PLAYOFFS.
THERE WAS THE BORING MASTERS, THE IMPOSSIBLE U.S. OPEN. IN AN EFFORT TO
MAKE GOLF AS BORING AS POSSIBLE BY TRICKING-UP COURSES FOR MAJOR EVENTS
THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE WON AT 12 OVER PAR AND GOLF'S TELEVISION
RATINGS FALL BELOW THOSE OF THE NHL.
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS BOOKS, THE SEQUEL TO THE TELL-ALL BOOK WRITTEN BY
KOBE BRYANT'S BODYGUARD WILL BE RELEASED. BRYANT'S PLUMBER WILL REVEAL
THE DIRTY SECRET BEHIND KOBE'S PIPES AND HIS EFFORTS TO KEEP THEM FREE OF
CONTAMINANTS.
FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS ROGER FEDERER HAS BEEN CALLED, SEEMINGLY WITHOUT
QUESTION, THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER TO PLAY MEN'S TENNIS. DEPEND ON IT;
RAFAEL NADAL WILL BEAT FEDERER ON A HARD COURT SOMETIME THIS SUMMER AND
NADAL WILL THEN BE THE GREATEST THERE EVER WAS.
AND ON JULY 4TH AT CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK THE SPORTS WORLD WILL BE SHAKEN
TO IT'S CORE BY CALIFORNIA'S JOEY CHESTNUT. CHESTNUT, IN FRONT OF A
CROWD OF 30,000 WILL BRING THE WORLD HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO
THE LAND OF THE FREE AFTER A 6 YEAR DOMINATION BY JAPAN'S TAKERU
KOBAYASHI. CHESTNUT WILL CONSUME A WORLD RECORD 60 HOT DOGS AND THEIR
BUNS IN A 12 MINUTE PERIOD. ESPN WILL TELEVISE THE EVENT AGAIN THIS
YEAR. LAST YEAR 1.5 MILLION WATCHED ACROSS THE U.S. THIS YEAR THAT FIGURE WILL BE 2 MILLION.
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE PART OF A WORLD THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL
EVENTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
TRUST ME, IT'S ALL GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SUMMER OF 2007. GO TO THE
BANK WITH IT.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
June 9 2007
THE SUCCESS AND/OR FAILURE OF ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORT HAS INVARIABLY
HINGED ON IT'S LEADERSHIP. THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THAT AT OPPOSITE ENDS
OF THE SPECTRUM ARE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THE NHL. BUT ALL
SPORTS EXECUTIVES PALE BESIDE BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
"BILL WHO?" YOU ASK. WELL, BILL FRANCE JUNIOR ORCHESTRATED THE
MONSTROUS GROWTH OF NASCAR OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES. . WHEN JUNIOR TOOK
OVER NASCAR FROM HIS FATHER IN 1972 IT WAS A SERIES LIMITED TO THE SOUTHERN
UNITED STATES WITH A DAMAGING IMAGE OF CONFEDERATE FLAGS, BEER,
EX-RUM-RUNNERS AND GOOD 'OL BOYS. FRANCE IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO
BROADEN THE FAN BASE. HE MOVED RACES TO NEW SPEEDWAYS IN LARGER
CENTRES. CHICAGO AND KANSAS CITY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND
DALLAS. IN 1972 MOST OF THE DRIVERS WERE FROM CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND
ALABAMA. WHEN FRANCE RETIRED THE MAJORITY CAME FROM THE WEST COAST,
MIDWEST AND NORTH EAST. HE NOT ONLY BUILT THE WINSTON CUP..NOW CALLED
THE NEXTEL CUP, HE ALSO ESTABLISHED THE POPULAR BUSCH SERIES WHICH WILL
MAKE A STOP HERE IN MONTREAL LATER THIS SUMMER AND THE CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES. THE FRANCE FAMILY OWNS NASCAR OUTRIGHT AND NASCAR OWNS 13 OF THE MAJOR CIRCUITS. IT NOW HAS A BILLION DOLLAR TELEVISION CONTRACT. ONLY THE NFL GETS BETTER TELEVISION RATINGS
THAN NASCAR. AS A CORPORATE ENTITY, TODAY NASCAR IS IN THE SAME
BALLPARK AS DISNEY AND AT&T. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HISTORIC LEADERS IN NORTH
AMERICAN SPORTS, IMMEDIATLY PETE ROZELLE COMES TO MIND. BUT THE REST--BETTMAN,
STERN, SELIG, THEY'RE MIDGETS COMPARED TO BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
HINGED ON IT'S LEADERSHIP. THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THAT AT OPPOSITE ENDS
OF THE SPECTRUM ARE THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THE NHL. BUT ALL
SPORTS EXECUTIVES PALE BESIDE BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
"BILL WHO?" YOU ASK. WELL, BILL FRANCE JUNIOR ORCHESTRATED THE
MONSTROUS GROWTH OF NASCAR OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES. . WHEN JUNIOR TOOK
OVER NASCAR FROM HIS FATHER IN 1972 IT WAS A SERIES LIMITED TO THE SOUTHERN
UNITED STATES WITH A DAMAGING IMAGE OF CONFEDERATE FLAGS, BEER,
EX-RUM-RUNNERS AND GOOD 'OL BOYS. FRANCE IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO
BROADEN THE FAN BASE. HE MOVED RACES TO NEW SPEEDWAYS IN LARGER
CENTRES. CHICAGO AND KANSAS CITY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND
DALLAS. IN 1972 MOST OF THE DRIVERS WERE FROM CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND
ALABAMA. WHEN FRANCE RETIRED THE MAJORITY CAME FROM THE WEST COAST,
MIDWEST AND NORTH EAST. HE NOT ONLY BUILT THE WINSTON CUP..NOW CALLED
THE NEXTEL CUP, HE ALSO ESTABLISHED THE POPULAR BUSCH SERIES WHICH WILL
MAKE A STOP HERE IN MONTREAL LATER THIS SUMMER AND THE CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES. THE FRANCE FAMILY OWNS NASCAR OUTRIGHT AND NASCAR OWNS 13 OF THE MAJOR CIRCUITS. IT NOW HAS A BILLION DOLLAR TELEVISION CONTRACT. ONLY THE NFL GETS BETTER TELEVISION RATINGS
THAN NASCAR. AS A CORPORATE ENTITY, TODAY NASCAR IS IN THE SAME
BALLPARK AS DISNEY AND AT&T. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HISTORIC LEADERS IN NORTH
AMERICAN SPORTS, IMMEDIATLY PETE ROZELLE COMES TO MIND. BUT THE REST--BETTMAN,
STERN, SELIG, THEY'RE MIDGETS COMPARED TO BILL FRANCE JUNIOR.
Monday, June 4, 2007
June 7
THE LAST TIME BOB GAINEY SOUGHT MY ADVICE ON ANYTHING WAS THE 1975 PRIX D'ETE HARNESS RACE. HE WAS LOOKING FOR A BETTING WINNER. I GAVE HIM FULL BENEFIT OF MY HANDICAPPING EXPERTISE AND THEN THE HORSE FINISHED SOMEWHERE SOUITH OF PLATTSBURGH. FOR SOME REASON BOB HAS TURNED AND RUN THE OTHER WAY EVERY TIME I'VE TRIED TO OFFER ADVICE.
STILL UNDAUNTED, I PRESENT SOME IDEAS FOR THE FREE AGENT SIGNING PERIOD STARTING JULY 1ST. IT'S EASY TO BRING UP THOSE TWO BUFFALO CENTREMEN BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE.
IF THE CANADIENS NEED A BIG CENTREMAN...AND IT'S CLEAR THEY DO...THEY MIGHT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT TORONTO'S NIK ANTROPOV...ALL 6'6" AND 230 POUNDS. I KNOW HE'S HAD THOSE INJURIES INCLUDING 2 MAJOR KNEE RECONSTRUCTIONS..BUT IF HE'S SOUND HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SO COULD ROBERT LANG OF THE RED WINGS. 7 YEARS AGO LANG CENTRED KOVALEV AND STRAKA FOR WHAT WAS CALLED THE BEST SECOND LINE IN THE NHL, WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE ALEXEI KOVALEV HAPPY, THIS MIGHT BE IT. THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE LIKE 6'5" MICHAL HANDZUS...A RIGHT WINGER. A KNEE INJURY KEPT HIM OUT OF ALL-BUT 8 GAMES LAST YEAR IN CHICAGO. WHEN SHELDON SOURAY SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES OR SAN JOSE OR WHEREVER, THE CANADIENS WILL NEED DEFENSIVE HELP. BOB, HOW ABOUT DEFENSEMEN ANDY SUTTON IN ATLANTA, BRAD STUART FROM CALGARY AND DANNY MARKOV WHO WAS PLUS 25 IN DETROIT LAST SEASON. JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS BOB.
AND REMEMBER BOB...I HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ADVICE TO OFFER. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL. AND THE ADVICE IS FREE. AND WORTH ABOUT THAT MUCH.
STILL UNDAUNTED, I PRESENT SOME IDEAS FOR THE FREE AGENT SIGNING PERIOD STARTING JULY 1ST. IT'S EASY TO BRING UP THOSE TWO BUFFALO CENTREMEN BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE.
IF THE CANADIENS NEED A BIG CENTREMAN...AND IT'S CLEAR THEY DO...THEY MIGHT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT TORONTO'S NIK ANTROPOV...ALL 6'6" AND 230 POUNDS. I KNOW HE'S HAD THOSE INJURIES INCLUDING 2 MAJOR KNEE RECONSTRUCTIONS..BUT IF HE'S SOUND HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SO COULD ROBERT LANG OF THE RED WINGS. 7 YEARS AGO LANG CENTRED KOVALEV AND STRAKA FOR WHAT WAS CALLED THE BEST SECOND LINE IN THE NHL, WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE ALEXEI KOVALEV HAPPY, THIS MIGHT BE IT. THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE LIKE 6'5" MICHAL HANDZUS...A RIGHT WINGER. A KNEE INJURY KEPT HIM OUT OF ALL-BUT 8 GAMES LAST YEAR IN CHICAGO. WHEN SHELDON SOURAY SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES OR SAN JOSE OR WHEREVER, THE CANADIENS WILL NEED DEFENSIVE HELP. BOB, HOW ABOUT DEFENSEMEN ANDY SUTTON IN ATLANTA, BRAD STUART FROM CALGARY AND DANNY MARKOV WHO WAS PLUS 25 IN DETROIT LAST SEASON. JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS BOB.
AND REMEMBER BOB...I HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ADVICE TO OFFER. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL. AND THE ADVICE IS FREE. AND WORTH ABOUT THAT MUCH.
Monday, May 28, 2007
May 25
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN FANS SET THEIR SPRING SCHEDULE AROUND MEMORIAL DAY AND WHAT USED TO BE CALLED THE "GREATEST SINGLE-DAY SPORTING EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA". THE INDIANPOLIS 500 WAS A MONSTER. EVERYONE KNEW THE NAMES.
A.J. AND MARIO. THE UNSERS, JOHNNY RUTHERFORD. RICK MEARS. I WAS PART OF THE CTV TELECASTS OF THE 500 FOR 7 YEARS AND BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY IT WAS THE "GREATEST SINGLE DAY SPORTING EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA". BUT THEN WAS THEN. 11 YEARS AGO, THE OWNER OF THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY TRIED TO IMPOSE HIS OWN SET OF RULES ON "CART" SERIES CAUSING THE CHAMP CARS TO BREAK AWAY FROM INDY. TONY GEORGE THEN FORMED THE INDY RACING LEAGUE AND OVER 11 YEARS BOTH SERIES HAVE SUFFERED. BOTH CART AND THE IRL HAVE TELEVISION RATINGS WORSE THAN THE NHL IN THE U.S. THE CHAMP CAR RACE IN MONTREAL IS NOW HISTORY---REPLACED BY A DEVELOPMENT RACE FOR NASCAR. NASCAR HAS BECOME NORTH AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE RACING SERIES.
SO OUTSIDE OF THE THREE WOMEN WHO WILL BE PART OF THE FIELD FOR TOMORROW'S RACE, WHY WOULD YOU WATCH THE INDY 500. I'VE HARDLY BEEN CHEWING MY FINGERNAILS DOWN WORRYING ABOUT HOW SAM HORNISH JUNIOR IS GOING TO DO.
AND I'M SORRY ALL YOU DAN WHELDON FANS...BUT I JUST CAN'T WORK UP ANY EMOTIONAL CONNECTION. SO GO DANICA....GO SARAH FISCHER AND MILKA DUNO. WHATEVER SALVATION THERE IS FOR A ONCE-GREAT EVENT...YOU'RE IT.
A.J. AND MARIO. THE UNSERS, JOHNNY RUTHERFORD. RICK MEARS. I WAS PART OF THE CTV TELECASTS OF THE 500 FOR 7 YEARS AND BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY IT WAS THE "GREATEST SINGLE DAY SPORTING EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA". BUT THEN WAS THEN. 11 YEARS AGO, THE OWNER OF THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY TRIED TO IMPOSE HIS OWN SET OF RULES ON "CART" SERIES CAUSING THE CHAMP CARS TO BREAK AWAY FROM INDY. TONY GEORGE THEN FORMED THE INDY RACING LEAGUE AND OVER 11 YEARS BOTH SERIES HAVE SUFFERED. BOTH CART AND THE IRL HAVE TELEVISION RATINGS WORSE THAN THE NHL IN THE U.S. THE CHAMP CAR RACE IN MONTREAL IS NOW HISTORY---REPLACED BY A DEVELOPMENT RACE FOR NASCAR. NASCAR HAS BECOME NORTH AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE RACING SERIES.
SO OUTSIDE OF THE THREE WOMEN WHO WILL BE PART OF THE FIELD FOR TOMORROW'S RACE, WHY WOULD YOU WATCH THE INDY 500. I'VE HARDLY BEEN CHEWING MY FINGERNAILS DOWN WORRYING ABOUT HOW SAM HORNISH JUNIOR IS GOING TO DO.
AND I'M SORRY ALL YOU DAN WHELDON FANS...BUT I JUST CAN'T WORK UP ANY EMOTIONAL CONNECTION. SO GO DANICA....GO SARAH FISCHER AND MILKA DUNO. WHATEVER SALVATION THERE IS FOR A ONCE-GREAT EVENT...YOU'RE IT.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
may 19
THE SELECTION OF COACHES FOR OUR NATIONAL TEAMS HAS LONG BEEN A SOURCE OF PERSONAL FRUSTRATION. IT ALL CAME TO A HEAD AGAIN THIS WEEK WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION HAD NAMED VANCOUVER'S DALE MITCHELL COACH OF OUR NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM. RIGHT NOW CANADA IS IN A LOSING BATTLE FOR 94TH PLACE IN THE WORLD RANKINGS WITH SUCH SOCCER POWERS AS MOLDOVA, KUWAIT AND ICELAND. NOT ONLY THAT...CANADA'S SOCCER RANKING IS IN FREE FALL..DROPPING NEARLY 10 PLACES IN THE LAST YEAR. WITH THIS KIND OF RECORD YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE AN ATTEMPT TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WHEN IT COMES TO COACHING TEAM CANADA. INSTEAD WE AGAIN TURN TO HOMEBREW TALENT THAT HAS NEVER TASTED SUCCESS ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL.
FOR YEARS OUR NATIONAL SKI TEAM FLOUNDERED UNTIL FNALLY UNDER KEN READ'S DIRECTION A NUMBER OF COACHES FROM ITALY, FRANCE AND SWEDEN BOLSTERED THE STAFF. THE TURNAROUND HAS BEEN STARTLING.
THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN PRODUCE IS IRISH BOXING. DESPITE THEIR IMAGE AS GREAT FIGHTERS IRELAND HAD NEVER WON AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL. IN 1992 THEY FINALLY DECIDED THEY WOULD GET FIRST CLASS COACHING. THEY HIRED ONE OF THE BEST TRAINERS IN CUBA. THE RESULT IN BARCELONA WAS NOT ONLY A GOLD BUT A SILVER MEDAL. IRONICALLY THE IRISH BOXER BEAT A CUBAN FOR THE GOLD.
THE LESSON IS, IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED YOU NEED TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. HOWEVER WORLD CLASS COACHES DON'T COME CHEAP. AND THERE'S THE OTHER PROBLEM --- IT'S CALLED "PENNY WISE AND DOLLAR FOOLISH."
FOR YEARS OUR NATIONAL SKI TEAM FLOUNDERED UNTIL FNALLY UNDER KEN READ'S DIRECTION A NUMBER OF COACHES FROM ITALY, FRANCE AND SWEDEN BOLSTERED THE STAFF. THE TURNAROUND HAS BEEN STARTLING.
THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN PRODUCE IS IRISH BOXING. DESPITE THEIR IMAGE AS GREAT FIGHTERS IRELAND HAD NEVER WON AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL. IN 1992 THEY FINALLY DECIDED THEY WOULD GET FIRST CLASS COACHING. THEY HIRED ONE OF THE BEST TRAINERS IN CUBA. THE RESULT IN BARCELONA WAS NOT ONLY A GOLD BUT A SILVER MEDAL. IRONICALLY THE IRISH BOXER BEAT A CUBAN FOR THE GOLD.
THE LESSON IS, IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED YOU NEED TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. HOWEVER WORLD CLASS COACHES DON'T COME CHEAP. AND THERE'S THE OTHER PROBLEM --- IT'S CALLED "PENNY WISE AND DOLLAR FOOLISH."
May 18
This week a group called the "giving-back fund" announced the most charitable individuals in the United States. Oprah Winfrey gave away 58 million dollars in 2006 to lead the way. There were a couple of bequests listed 2 and three and then Barbra Streisand at 11 million dollars. And then came the most generous of our superstar athletes. It probably is no surprise that Tiger Woods is the most generous among them. Tiger gave away
9.5 million dollars to various causes. The second most generous of the athletes was third year NBA star Carmelo Anthony who took 4.3 million out of his annual paycheck. This is truly "giving back". Too often we hear of players who are in it for "the money"...or "the glory"...or "the power".
Not enough is heard of those who often contribute without any interest in publicity. Did you know that retired tennis star Andre Agassi; the NFLs Ronde and Tiki Barber and NASCAR's Tony Stewart all passed a million dollars each on to charities. This is cash money. Not tied to foundations which sometimes can been drained by inflated operating costs. There is only one thing that is better than a cash donation and that's the giving of time.
Tiger Woods does that. Here in Montreal Saku Koivu did that in raising money for the Mcgill Health Centre. And then there is of course the undisputed world champion in that regard, Jean Beliveau. Being a star athlete doesn't have to mean being avaricious, greedy, rude and impatient-for-freeagency and the next big contract. It only seems that way in our daily life.
9.5 million dollars to various causes. The second most generous of the athletes was third year NBA star Carmelo Anthony who took 4.3 million out of his annual paycheck. This is truly "giving back". Too often we hear of players who are in it for "the money"...or "the glory"...or "the power".
Not enough is heard of those who often contribute without any interest in publicity. Did you know that retired tennis star Andre Agassi; the NFLs Ronde and Tiki Barber and NASCAR's Tony Stewart all passed a million dollars each on to charities. This is cash money. Not tied to foundations which sometimes can been drained by inflated operating costs. There is only one thing that is better than a cash donation and that's the giving of time.
Tiger Woods does that. Here in Montreal Saku Koivu did that in raising money for the Mcgill Health Centre. And then there is of course the undisputed world champion in that regard, Jean Beliveau. Being a star athlete doesn't have to mean being avaricious, greedy, rude and impatient-for-freeagency and the next big contract. It only seems that way in our daily life.
Monday, May 14, 2007
MAY 12
THE DETROIT RED WINGS PLAYED THE ANAHEIM DUCKS LAST NIGHT AT THE JOE LOUIS ARENA . THE WINGS WON BUT THE STORY ONCE AGAIN WAS EMPTY SEATS. GOING INTO THIS YEAR'S PLAYOFFS THE RED WINGS HAD A RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE SELLOUTS THAT DWARFED EVEN THE CANADIENS MARK . 11 YEARS WITHOUT AN EMPTY SEAT UNTIL GAME ONE OF THIS YEAR'S PLAYOFFS. GAME ONE OF THE PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND AND 2500 REGULAR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS OPTED OUT.... 18 PERCENT OF THE WINGS SEASON TICKET BASE.
I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHEN THE PAYING PUBLIC WOULD SAY "ENOUGH-IS-ENOUGH".
WHEN THEY DECIDE THE PAYBACK FROM AN ENTERTAINMENT STANDPOINT DOESN'T MATCH THE PRICE TAG. WELL, "HOCKEY-TOWN" IS HOCKEY-TOWN NO LONGER. THE WINGS REALLY DID IT TO THEIR FANS THIS TIME. A 54-DOLLAR REGULAR SEASON TICKET BECAME A 99 DOLLAR TICKET IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS AND 108-DOLLARS IN THE SECOND ROUND. THOSE ARE SEATS IN NOSE-BLEED UPPER BOWL SECTION OF "THE JOE". STANDING ROOM IS RUNNING 108 DOLLARS.
33 YEARS AGO, HAROLD BALLARD OF THE LEAFS DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO GOUGE HIS PUBLIC BY INSTALLING WHAT HE CALLED "THE GOLD SEATS" IN MAPLE LEAF GARDENS. WHEN HE WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS BLATANT CASH-GRAB HE SAID "I'LL KNOW I'VE GONE TOO FAR WHEN THEY STOP BUYING TICKETS." IN TORONTO YOU APPARENTLY CAN BEAT THE FANS UP ALL YOU WANT AND THEY'LL ALWAYS COME BACK.
THE GOLD SEATS HAVE TURNED TO PLATINUM SEATS AT THE AIR CANADA CENTRE AND EVEN WITH THE 40 YEAR STANLEY CUP DROUGHT THEY KEEP COMING BACK. NOT SO IN DETROIT WHERE ONLY BASKETBALL'S PISTONS ARE SELLING OUT CHARGING 18-DOLLARS FOR TICKETS THE REDWINGS CHARGE 100 DOLLARS. I WONDER IF ANYONE AT THE BELL CENTRE IS TRACKING THIS STORY.
I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHEN THE PAYING PUBLIC WOULD SAY "ENOUGH-IS-ENOUGH".
WHEN THEY DECIDE THE PAYBACK FROM AN ENTERTAINMENT STANDPOINT DOESN'T MATCH THE PRICE TAG. WELL, "HOCKEY-TOWN" IS HOCKEY-TOWN NO LONGER. THE WINGS REALLY DID IT TO THEIR FANS THIS TIME. A 54-DOLLAR REGULAR SEASON TICKET BECAME A 99 DOLLAR TICKET IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS AND 108-DOLLARS IN THE SECOND ROUND. THOSE ARE SEATS IN NOSE-BLEED UPPER BOWL SECTION OF "THE JOE". STANDING ROOM IS RUNNING 108 DOLLARS.
33 YEARS AGO, HAROLD BALLARD OF THE LEAFS DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO GOUGE HIS PUBLIC BY INSTALLING WHAT HE CALLED "THE GOLD SEATS" IN MAPLE LEAF GARDENS. WHEN HE WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS BLATANT CASH-GRAB HE SAID "I'LL KNOW I'VE GONE TOO FAR WHEN THEY STOP BUYING TICKETS." IN TORONTO YOU APPARENTLY CAN BEAT THE FANS UP ALL YOU WANT AND THEY'LL ALWAYS COME BACK.
THE GOLD SEATS HAVE TURNED TO PLATINUM SEATS AT THE AIR CANADA CENTRE AND EVEN WITH THE 40 YEAR STANLEY CUP DROUGHT THEY KEEP COMING BACK. NOT SO IN DETROIT WHERE ONLY BASKETBALL'S PISTONS ARE SELLING OUT CHARGING 18-DOLLARS FOR TICKETS THE REDWINGS CHARGE 100 DOLLARS. I WONDER IF ANYONE AT THE BELL CENTRE IS TRACKING THIS STORY.
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