Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteMoss
They spend a ton of money - asking people to turn it down as some kind of ethical decision is the part I'm saying is a tough ask.
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Someone like Ronaldo was already extremely well compensated, millions upon millions in salary per year, and millions more from bonuses, endorsements, etc. He would still be fabulously rich if he didn't move to Saudi Arabia to become a symbol of sportswashing.
I don't think that it is a tough ask at all to be able to remain extremely rich, famous, and NOT being a pawn for a terrible regime. Except, of course, for pure greed.
But to try and steer this a little more on topic... I think that the Flames' attendance woes, and general apathy, has a fair bit to do with the on-ice product right now. But the larger problem is more a "death by a thousand cuts". Overpriced food and drink, rising ticket prices, stale marketing and in-game entertainment, a publicly-funded subsidy to benefit one of Canada's richest people, the league shooting themselves in the foot with backwards decisions (rainbow tape bans, for example), seemingly random refereeing and disciplinary decisions, mediocre broadcasts, saturation of gambling ads, etc. I perceive the club and the league as more bush league than before.
I have more disposable income that I did a few years ago, but my motivation to attend a game is lower than ever. And it can't all be the on-ice product. I used to pride myself on supporting the Flames to the point of masochism. Young Guns, Save Our Flames, the whole bit. I still watch most games on TV, of course, but I can't help but wonder how much of that is an old habit that is fed by nostalgia and routine.
And I totally understand that life's priorities change over time, and I know that I am getting older and more cynical. But I see/read similar cynicism from others, including the younger fans. This sort of thing can seep into the corporate money as well, so I do think that the Flames (and the NHL) shouldn't ignore the warning signs.