Even though Im a season ticketholder I just looked at sportsnets site and they wont be showing the game until it is done. I understand they have a deal with the jays. But I think a game like fridays should outweigh one of 162 baseball games (especially against tampa bay). For those of you not going to the game, you must be somewhat disapointed.
Agreed. Who wants to see the same old Jays-Rays drivel, when we could watch something better, like a TFC, or Team Canada match? Proves that Sportsnet doesn't give a crap about TFC, or Canadian soccer in general. I'm sure CBC would die for a match like this.
Well I wouldn't go so far as to say they dont care because they just signed a 3 year contract with the csa. But yeah they got to get they're priorities straight.
Rogers owns the Blue Jays. Rogers owns Sportsnet. As far as they are concerned, they have their priorities straight. I don't know what the Jays are drawing on Sportsnet but I'm sure that more people will be watching the baseball than would have watched the Argentina match live. They also know that soccer fans are more dedicated to their sport and are more likely to watch a tape delay than are baseball fans. That's the way it is guys. Why would Rogers shoot themselves in the foot and tape delay their own team? B
It's all about ratings. The game that would draw more in prime time will always get the nod. The jays have history and drew close 2.5 million last year. Pro soccer in Toronto drew 1800 per game last year. And one home game does not make tradition. Maybe in ten years when the FC is playing in a 60K stadium and selling out the TV numbers in places like Kamloops or Sherbrooke may follow... Until then- sit back and enjoy that the game is on at all.
This from the Sportsnet web site re the deal signed with the CSA "The first game of the deal pits the Canadian Men’s U-20 squad against their counterparts from Argentina at the new BMO Field in Toronto. The game will be broadcast live Friday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)/ 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Sportsnet Pacific for viewers with access to all four Sportsnet channels only. The game will also be available on a tape-delayed basis on all Sportsnet channels. This game serves as a tune-up for both teams as they prepare for FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, which runs June 30 – July 22."
I agree almost completely. A sold out 30k stadium will be fine if the TV numbers exist but that's what it comes down to in the end. It's a business! B