GAME 10: LABOUR DAY CLASSICS 2016: Eskimos at STAMPEDERS

[Roof-Daddy]

The Stamps haven't lost two home games in a row since 2012 when they lost to BC in week 5 and then again to Toronto in week 8.

Since then they've gone 33-3 at home in the regular season and 4-1 at home in the playoffs for a 37-4 home record.

If that won't sell out McMahon, nothing will I guess.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Really disappointing to see the interest just falling off a cliff. The Sun explained this was the lowest labour day turnout since 1989 at just over 31k. Broke a 27 year streak of 32k+ for labour day.

Even the last few years I'm pretty sure that was our only guaranteed sell out. Weather, other stuff to do blah blah blah. It's getting bad.

Lots of factor, some of which the league can control and some which it can't.

Product issues
- Poor officiating
- More talent moving around, including to the U.S. Hard to develop strong bonds with players when there is so much movement. If a player does well, count on them being gone soon.
- NFL game has improved and has a lot more offense now than it used to. So the argument that the CFL is more exciting just no longer holds
- Too many BAD football teams. Not enough good ones.
- And with too many bad teams, there are too many bad games.

Presentation issues
- The gap between the game experience live and on television is now too narrow. I can sit at home and enjoy just as much, if not more, than going to the actual game. TSN has done a lot of great work, but it means there is less motivation to go the game
- McMahon is terrible. Bad, uncomfortable seats. Horrible concessions. Lack of parking. Lack of washrooms. Bad.
- Ticket prices for all that are too high
- Game environment, depending on who is playing, isn't great. Wouldn't be comfortable taking my 4 year old to a game because of the drunkeness and swearing in some sections. Let alone fights.

League needs to focus on improving their in-game experience, being realistic about ticket prices, and finding ways to improve the game itself.

[zyzz]

Is Huff always on the sidelines?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

League needs to focus on improving their in-game experience, being realistic about ticket prices, and finding ways to improve the game itself.

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

[worth]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Was it cold there? I'm away and my wife said she didn't use my tickets because it was "too cold". Looked like a pretty awesome day on tv.

I got sunburnt.

[Jason14h]

Football is a game that translated better on TV then live.

You get every reply instantly, always have a good angle, and avoid weather concerns (Too hot OR too cold)

The NFL is experiencing this too where attendance is down.

Add into the fact the CFL game is actually becoming slower with replays, and no star power for players, and it's no wonder less fans are coming out.

However, the league is financially doing well, because of broadcast $$!

Attendance wise though, we are in a death spiral. Less people come, so they jack up ticket prices and food prices. So less young people come. Rinse and repeat.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Only thing missing is "Dynasty-esque" playoff success, as they've only been to 3 GC games winning just 2 of them in those 8 seasons.

Basically a mirror image of the 90s Stamps teams in that regard. Man those were some painful formative years.

The Darren Flutie catch may be at the top of my all-time most agonizing sports moments.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Basically a mirror image of the 90s Stamps teams in that regard. Man those were some painful formative years.

The Darren Flutie catch may be at the top of my all-time most painful sports moments.

Yeap. I was there watching it live. Same with the year before when Micheal Soles, Lucius Floyd and Damon Allen ran the ball down the Stamps throat all day long and the -30C temps froze Doug Fluties hands as well as the sideline heaters. That was a cold one with a heartbreaking result. Of course, the very next week it was absolutely beautiful weather for the Grey Cup and I had to sit up there and watch the Bombers and Esks play instead of the host Stamps who had obliterated everybody that year during the regular season.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by jayswin

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

I paid substantially more to go to the Grey Cup in Vancouver than I did for a scalped ticket to see the NFC final in Seattle. That is completely ludicrous.

[Sainters7]

Ugh, the infamous -40 game, made all the worse by my die-hard, very boisterous Eskimos fan stepdad. Tip of the cap for you even braving that weather.

Wasn't at that one, but went to the 2000 West Final vs 8-10 B.C. a week before we hosted the Grey Cup that I had tickets to (my first one!). Of course that ends up being the only year from 98-01 where we DIDN'T go to the Cup, they tend to choke in years we're hosting.

Still remember hearing the collective air leave the stadium when Dickenson didn't get up from that tackle, everyone knew it was over when he left the game.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by jayswin

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

I was thinking of taking my niece and nephew to a game when I'm in town next month as their parents didn't get season tickets this year. However, I just checked the prices of tickets for where they usually sit. For the cost of a single ticket, I can take advantage of something CSEC don't seem to realize: Calgary is a growing city and there is an ever increasing amount of things to do. $84 would easily be enough to pay for two hours at one of the trampoline parks with enough left over to buy the ingredients to make nachos at home for when we watch the Stamps game on TV. The only problem is I'm not sure I can last two hours on the trampolines.

[JiriHrdina]

Playing in cold weather increases the chances that the best team does not win the championship. A unfrozen Flutie would have won a couple more rings to be sure.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Playing in cold weather increases the chances that the best team does not win the championship. A unfrozen Flutie would have won a couple more rings to be sure.

Yeah. As soon as he went to TO and played his playoff games indoors he suddenly went 2 for 2 with winning the Grey Cup.

[Sainters7]

They really need to bump back the start of the season, let's wrap this thing up by Halloween. Would make a world of difference.

And back to the 90s playoff failure talk, that's one thing I'll always love about that 8-10 Stamps team winning it in 2001. I'll always see that as getting a ring back for all the ones we should've won from 1993-00. Definitely should've been more than 1

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

They really need to bump back the start of the season, let's wrap this thing up by Halloween. Would make a world of difference.

And back to the 90s playoff failure talk, that's one thing I'll always love about that 8-10 Stamps team winning it in 2001. I'll always see that as getting a ring back for all the ones we should've won from 1993-00. Definitely should've been more than 1

No doubt. 9 years of Flutie, Garcia, and Dickenson as the Stamps QBs but only two Grey Cups to show for it. Then we eek one out with Marcus Crandell lol

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Addick

I was thinking of taking my niece and nephew to a game when I'm in town next month as their parents didn't get season tickets this year. However, I just checked the prices of tickets for where they usually sit. For the cost of a single ticket, I can take advantage of something CSEC don't seem to realize: Calgary is a growing city and there is an ever increasing amount of things to do. $84 would easily be enough to pay for two hours at one of the trampoline parks with enough left over to buy the ingredients to make nachos at home for when we watch the Stamps game on TV. The only problem is I'm not sure I can last two hours on the trampolines.

You can get 25 tickets at Safeway I believe, if you want to reduce your cost.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

You can get 25 tickets at Safeway I believe, if you want to reduce your cost.

$22. It's what we do.

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeap. I was there watching it live. Same with the year before when Micheal Soles, Lucius Floyd and Damon Allen ran the ball down the Stamps throat all day long and the -30C temps froze Doug Fluties hands as well as the sideline heaters. That was a cold one with a heartbreaking result. Of course, the very next week it was absolutely beautiful weather for the Grey Cup and I had to sit up there and watch the Bombers and Esks play instead of the host Stamps who had obliterated everybody that year during the regular season.

Oh man, the memories of that -45 game. 12 years old, was able to make it to the 3rd quarter before having to listen to the rest of the game in the heated bathroom before frostbite set in!

[Mr.Coffee]

officiating and reviews and penalties have really, really destroyed the game though. It's worth just hammering away on this point in prayer that somebody from the league stumbles across this website and see how many fans it pisses off.

Please. I want to like you CFL, but you make it so, so hard.