Stadiums and Arenas of Canada

[elly63]

Originally Posted by elly63

There's been some good points made at the Argo Fan Forum about MLSE buying the Argos. I'm beginning to come around to the idea.

Why would MLSE want to buy the Argos?
1 New TV contract makes it easier to make the team profitable, something that wasn't there when MLSE last looked at buying the team.

2 The BCE people (28% of MLSE) who own TSN are sympathetic to the Argos. The CFL not only provides vital Canadian content (which the NFL obviously is not) but also provides highly rated programming (close to hockey). Win, win or as they say in the CFL a ratio changer.

4 I'm beginning to form the opinion that MLSE's motives may not be as sinister as we may believe. They may be of the opinion that the NFL "dream" is either dead or a very long way off. By buying the Argos and making them profitable gives them another successful sports property (especially TV) while "waiting" for the NFL and gives them valuable experience in running a football organization. And if the NFL doesn't happen they still have another successful property.

On the other hand...
I am more and more coming to the conclusion that David Braley may build his own stadium. This guy seems to cultivate the image of some unsophisticated, hard nosed guy who made his millions through auto parts, gives some away, end of story. The more research I've been doing on this guy the more impressive he becomes.

He is friggin' loaded (more than may be commonly known). Apparently aside from the auto parts and construction companies he is one of the largest commercial land developers in Ontario. He's given away millions at a time to various concerns including a 50 million gift to McMaster's medical school.

There is a quote that his net worth awes other CFL owners. Before any CFL haters out there scoff: Bob Young (Hamilton) is worth at least over 250 million, Roger Greenberg & family (Ottawa) is worth 1.1 billion, Bob Wetenhall (Montreal) was a former part owner of the New England Patriots and a co owner of an NASL team in the 70s. Braley has stated he's turned the BC Lions around and is making money there.

Another point that may not be well known is that Braley has sat on various boards and committees with a broad range of entertainment options and facilities. He knows where every cent is spent. I get the feeling this guy knows or knows people who know how to mount a successful show. And that's the crux of my point. It's looking like he doesn't want to sell the Argos and we know MLSE doesn't want another stadium around to compete for any other entertainment dollars.

Braley has the money, the construction and development experience, the entertainment know how and the political connections to get it done. He loves Canada and the CFL and I'm beginning to wonder if this will be his last hurrah before he steps down and sells the much more appealing Argos (to potential new owners, profitable in their own stadium) to someone he trusts will do right by them when he's gone.