Welcome to the NHL playoffs and for the first time in nine years Leaf fans get to see their team in action. After Bell and Rogers made a splash to purchase the original six franchise. The bottom line was to convert the purchase into hard cold cash creating synergies for their other holdings including content for their Sports Networks and improving their grip on the wireless communication market. Of course all those involved in the sale lined their pockets and ultimately the fans and supporters of advertisers will absorb the cost of maintaining their loyalty to a team that hasn’t sipped champagne since 1968.

To my chagrin I was a little taken aback to hear that from the 72,000 fans that asked for playoff tickets many were denied, of course. Markham will get an NHL team once they build the new stadium and pay territorial rights to the Blue and White. Even better TML raised their ticket prices by 75% for their loyal fans, making scalper tickets even more valuable thus creating hyper-inflation within the Leaf Nation. Why would they do this? Because they can! The faithful will continue to pay without complaint.

After all the fan base is so brainwashed watching AHL caliber players for so long that now that they have a semblance of a competitive team the Leaf Nation gets excited and spares no expense to capture an opportunity to experience the glory of a Stanley Cup Champion.  A few years ago I was in Florida and had the privilege to attend a NHL game in Tampa Bay with the family of John Wayne Faught who lost his life in Afghanistan. I watched Ovenchkin, Backstrom, Green versus Stamkos, St. Louis, Lecavellier, all outstanding players. The face value sitting 12 rows from the ice surface between the blue-line and goal line was USD$80.00/ticket. Seems like petty cash in comparison to a similar seat in the ACC watching the Leafs.

There is no fault on behalf of the Corporation for milking as much profit the market is willing to bear but from this guy they won’t see a dime. I will resort to my fantasy sports and get just as much satisfaction as I do when I watch my nephews play the game.

Very disappointed -Philip Magnoli, my friends call me Don Filippo-The FX Specialist- www.donfilippo.ca

 

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