The National Newspaper: Hockey town falls for the Raptors

**Acie** · 11-06-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

More importantly, young sports fans in the suburbs are growing up with a strong allegiance to the Raptors rather than the Leafs.

And most American players I have spoken to enjoy playing in Canada – one Raptor even told me last week that he loves the country.

Toronto is a business and entertainment centre with all a major city’s amenities, unlike many NBA outposts.

And the racially harmonious Canadian culture would seem like a welcoming place for many Americans.

The Raptors have also pursued an international strategy, bringing in players from around the world.

This summer, the Turkish international Hedo Turkoglu chose to sign with the Raptors ahead of several American teams because his wife loved Toronto’s international flavour, and I expect this trend to continue.

The US media does turn its nose up at the Raptors but much of this is unfounded. Toronto has turned out to be a great market for basketball.

My concern is that MLSE will cotton on to the fact that they can probably just trot out an average team and the fans will still turn up in droves.

For the time being, the Raptors are still trying to field a winner. In recent months, the franchise’s general manager, Brian Colangelo, has moved mountains to assemble a collection of talent with tremendous potential.

The Leafs continue to show no signs of life, so now would be a perfect time for the Raptors to secure an even more solid foothold in the Toronto public’s imagination.

Hockey is still the No 1 attraction in the city, but if sports fans in Toronto ever celebrate a champion the chances are it will be the Raptors.

And if they go a step further and become a perennial winner, hockey’s grip on the city might finally lessen.

LINK - The National Newspaper

DVS · 11-06-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

My concern is that MLSE will cotton on to the fact that they can probably just trot out an average team and the fans will still turn up in droves.

This is my concern well but looking at the fact the Raptors haven't exactly filled the barn after the home opener and TV ratings went from 400k ++ to 180k+ in a mere 4 games MLSE better not think this stragedy will work for basketball

Superjudge · 11-06-2009, 10:13 AM

Nope, the Raps need to win.

But I liked the article.

Windex · 11-06-2009, 10:24 AM

there are still empty seats , tv rating aren't the same and they need to win
but the Leafs have been around for 90 years

**Acie** · 11-06-2009, 10:26 AM

Weren't there lots of empty seats to start the season last year as well?

DVS · 11-06-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windex

there are still empty seats , tv rating aren't the same and they need to win
but the Leafs have been around for 90 years

I dunno I'd say right now if u can get a 200k and above rating for basketball I really don't think ratings have been that good ever.

As for the LEafs vs. Raps lets not get into that argument.

Leafs for a LOCAL broadcast (Kessel Debut) on Snet got over 800K ratings and for HNIC vs Habs got well over 2 million. In fact the HNIC PRE GAME SHOW ratings were 750k ++.

Raptors are still trying to knock off Figure Skating which has a 325K rating.

m5racer · 11-06-2009, 10:31 AM

AFter everything BC did this summer im convinced that hte raps are trying to win.

jeffb · 11-06-2009, 11:01 AM

The leafs organization with all their history and "so called" glory have been a pathetically piss poor run team for the better part of 40yrs and haven't got to the finals in 43+ years. And my belief is that unless Burke pulls something major out of his fat ass in the next few years the Loafs will struggle to sell seats at their prices (at least sellouts), especially if the Raptors can get a foot hold on getting to the playoffs and make noise.Hell i saw a story a few weeks ago that the leafs were struggling to sell out games and scalpers were having to drop their prices. lol

Are people actually starting to grow a brain? Probably not yet.

m5racer · 11-06-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffb

Are people actually starting to grow a brain? Probably not yet.

Not yet, but im sure that if they dont seriously turn things around and go on a 10 game win streak that we will prob start to see the fans drop off later this season.....shit, the team is still winless at home so far this year.

I think burk way over estimated this team this year and trading their first round pick away was a huge mistake considering they are on track right now to finish dead last in the NHL.

But, and its a bit BUT, people are so fucken obsessed with hocky in this city (perfect example is the fan and TSN) that hey, even with a 1-11 start the leafs still manage to pack the house. (its just now, its prob the ticketholders giveing their tickets to firends and business associates.)

WIth burk making his bad decisions and his "foggy" vision of how we were making the playoffs this year and going for a push, the sad, sad, sad maple leafs fans will continue to watch this team play at a High School level.

*side note about leafs fans: I have a firend who loves the leafs. He never talkes negativly and is always in la la land and dreaming that ya, this year we are still making the playoffs. Well leafs fans ars suck suckers that if there is a leafs and raps game on, on the same night, he will be glued to the leafs game, and only change channel when its commercail time. Even if the raps are hot fire on a sick team and the leafs are loosing, he still has to stay glued to the leafs( even though they suck complete ass) For somereason leafs fans just are suckers and continue to support the team and or organization.

End rant

Ex2k · 11-06-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m5racer

*side note about leafs fans: I have a firend who loves the leafs. He never talkes negativly and is always in la la land and dreaming that ya, this year we are still making the playoffs. Well leafs fans ars suck suckers that if there is a leafs and raps game on, on the same night, he will be glued to the leafs game, and only change channel when its commercail time. Even if the raps are hot fire on a sick team and the leafs are loosing, he still has to stay glued to the leafs( even though they suck complete ass) For somereason leafs fans just are suckers and continue to support the team and or organization.

End rant

+1

Try going to a bar in this city with the leafs and Raps playing the same night...

The Leafs could be playing on the road vs Phoenix or some shit, and the Raptors could be at home playing the Lakers in overtime and what do you think would be on all the big screens, if not every tv with Audio in this entire fucking city?

Pisses me off!

DVS · 11-06-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex2k

+1

Try going to a bar in this city with the leafs and Raps playing the same night...

The Leafs could be playing on the road vs Phoenix or some shit, and the Raptors could be at home playing the Lakers in overtime and what do you think would be on all the big screens, if not every tv with Audio in this entire fucking city?

Pisses me off!

This is true. I usually ask to first put the Raptor game on and if they refuse I'll just walk out and leave.

Its funny Raptor fans have to be organized. Show up with like 20 guys all claim want to watch the game and only then you'll get your wish.

The thing is the Leafs are so big its more of a social engagement than to watch the sport of Ice Hockey. You have packed bars and all most people are there for is Socializing.

**fancylad** · 11-06-2009, 11:55 AM

I just realized that article is from the United Arab Emirates. cool.

**Acie** · 11-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Yeah, I found it using CG's suggestion of the google alerts.

DVS · 11-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Ya UAE is at the cutting edge of GLOBAL news. For instance al jazeera news is a very well respected news workers in many 1st world nations. The Producer of that program is actually a Canadian who used to work for the CBC.

Now very popular in North America due to USA influence. So sit back and enjoy Glenn Beck now.

jeffb · 11-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex2k

+1

Try going to a bar in this city with the leafs and Raps playing the same night...

The Leafs could be playing on the road vs Phoenix or some shit, and the Raptors could be at home playing the Lakers in overtime and what do you think would be on all the big screens, if not every tv with Audio in this entire fucking city?

It's quite pathetic really. But it is what it is. The only good thing is the numbers and various polls in recent years have shown that Hockey in Toronto has taken a hit in interest while others sports are growing.

Superjudge · 11-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVS

This is true. I usually ask to first put the Raptor game on and if they refuse I'll just walk out and leave.

Its funny Raptor fans have to be organized. Show up with like 20 guys all claim want to watch the game and only then you'll get your wish.

The thing is the Leafs are so big its more of a social engagement than to watch the sport of Ice Hockey. You have packed bars and all most people are there for is Socializing.

I've never in my entire life been in a bar that refused to pu the raps on a few tv's, even when the leafs are playing too.

DVS · 11-06-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superjudge

I've never in my entire life been in a bar that refused to pu the raps on a few tv's, even when the leafs are playing too.

Leaf fan will get the sound and the whole 9 yards while raptor fan will be on the last 30 inch TV in the corner with no sound and get stuck with the "other" waitress

jeffb · 11-06-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVS

Leaf fan will get the sound and the whole 9 yards while raptor fan will be on the last 30 inch TV in the corner with no sound and get stuck with the "other" waitress

I was in a small pub last year and they had a leaf game on one TV and the Raps game on another. Some moron complained that he couldn't see the leaf game from where he was sitting and asked for the Raps game be switched to the leafs game. Suffice it to say i was stuck watching the loafs lose 5-2 and watching that same moron swearing at the screen with his drunkin puckhead friends. It's like they like banging their heads against a brick wall.

DVS · 11-06-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffb

I was in a small pub last year and they had a leaf game on one TV and the Raps game on another. Some moron complained that he couldn't see the leaf game from where he was sitting and asked for the Raps game be switched to the leafs game. Suffice it to say i was stuck watching the loafs lose 5-2 and watching that same moron swearing at the screen with his drunkin puckhead friends. It's like they like banging their heads against a brick wall.

I was a regular at one bar and always came by to watch my supporting events. The bar got a little busier so lately it turned out that even I first I was getting good treatment but now since he was getting busier I got swept aside to the crappy TV and crappy service. Needless to say that bar is banned now but still if you want to watch the Raptors first you'll be stuck in this situation for a while

**'trane** · 11-06-2009, 12:44 PM

the bar is going to show whatever game helps them sell more beers and wings. period.

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11-06-2009, 10:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Superjudge is a Genius Meter. You're a bad guy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: I live in Toronto. Posts: 7,367 Representing:	Nope, the Raps need to win. But I liked the article.

11-06-2009, 10:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Windex is the coon fresh and clean Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mediterranean Posts: 7,976 Representing:	there are still empty seats , tv rating aren't the same and they need to win but the Leafs have been around for 90 years

11-06-2009, 10:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Acie is all about execution and effort. Electric Kool-Aid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 13,987 Representing:	Weren't there lots of empty seats to start the season last year as well?

11-06-2009, 10:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
m5racer is ready for this team to start kicking ass Tai-Pan Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,544 Representing:	AFter everything BC did this summer im convinced that hte raps are trying to win.

11-06-2009, 11:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
jeffb is Pissed, WINDOWS 7 was his idea!!! Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 18,838 Representing:	The leafs organization with all their history and "so called" glory have been a pathetically piss poor run team for the better part of 40yrs and haven't got to the finals in 43+ years. And my belief is that unless Burke pulls something major out of his fat ass in the next few years the Loafs will struggle to sell seats at their prices (at least sellouts), especially if the Raptors can get a foot hold on getting to the playoffs and make noise.Hell i saw a story a few weeks ago that the leafs were struggling to sell out games and scalpers were having to drop their prices. lol Are people actually starting to grow a brain? Probably not yet.

11-06-2009, 11:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
fancylad is having less Olympic withdrawal seizures Oi! Oi! Oi! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto city Posts: 7,956 Representing:	I just realized that article is from the United Arab Emirates. cool.

11-06-2009, 11:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
Acie is all about execution and effort. Electric Kool-Aid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 13,987 Representing:	Yeah, I found it using CG's suggestion of the google alerts.

11-06-2009, 11:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
DVS is popping off till nothin in the clip left I'm stuck being a Rap Fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,484 Representing:	Ya UAE is at the cutting edge of GLOBAL news. For instance al jazeera news is a very well respected news workers in many 1st world nations. The Producer of that program is actually a Canadian who used to work for the CBC. Now very popular in North America due to USA influence. So sit back and enjoy Glenn Beck now.

11-06-2009, 12:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
'trane is getting it clearly through alternate paths or mixed in with the signal you're sending. giant steps Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 8,138 Representing:	the bar is going to show whatever game helps them sell more beers and wings. period.