Re: Around the League - Regular Season 2017-18
I've seen Leafs fans in open revolt many times over the years, from picketing in front of MLG when Lanny McDonald was traded to the Rockies to the guy who tossed his jersey on the ice at the ACC. The disgruntled Leafs fans share one important trait in common with the blindly loyal Leafs fans: they all pay to see the games. They never stop buying. They never stop coming. They never stop watching. Leafs owners from Harold Ballard to Steve Stavro to Larry Tannenbaum all knew this, counted on it and exploited it for all it was worth.
It took the Habs longer to dumb down the fanbase but they got there and what they weren't able to do the calendar is taking care of for them. We're already going into the second generation of fans who have never seen a victory parade. Their expectations for the team are nowhere near as high as mine. And as fans like me throw up our hands and turn our backs (and stop pressuring for change) we are replaced by generations of fans who are just happy to be there.
Ask yourself the next time you see a game at a sold out ACC: how many of the 19,000 fans in attendance are old enough to remember the Leafs' last Cup?
I went to a few games years ago with suppliers when they were near the end of their shit show , there were tons of empty seats .
Jersey`s were thrown on the ground , thousands left with 15 minutes to go .
That summer the entire team was cleansed and the new Shanny plan was in place.
I am telling you as immune as you think they were the writing was on the wall .
I can see your point 5-10 years ago , its not the same now and it will happen to our team if things dont improve .
You could have a few thousand empty seats even if they are sold , it all adds up to less revenue with a no show .
This time it will be different when it becomes obvious we are doomed in our division for years .
My friends and I didnt make the trip for the first time in 25 years , we cancelled RDS and havent spent a nickel on this team
Give it a few more losing seasons with no playoffs and hope and you will turn off more people than you think . It will affect local TV ratings , bars , etc...