Raise the Hammer

I'm afraid you significantly over state Mr Young's leverage in this situation. The fact that tickets are easy to come by is testament to that fact. It's not the people of Hamilton's fault every game is not sold out. It's Bob Young's and his management team's. They have failed so far to build their brand to a point where they can fill Ivor Wynne to some where over 65% capacity on a regular basis. Going 37-74 -1 during your tenure as owner will tend to do that.

Ivor Wynne's location has nothing to do with it. The stadium experience has nothing to do with it. (Mr Young has done a very good job at making game day more enjoyable for everyone.) The team has consistently stunk. That is why people don't go. I am old enough to remember that place being full. Before beer and liquor, before tailgate partying at Scott Park. You know. When the Tiger Cats used to be the Beasts of the East.

It's a nice picture you are trying to paint for Mr Young. But its pie in the sky and you know it. If it wasn't it would have happened already and the construction crews would be working on Bob World out near the airport or North Burlington or wherever. No developer in his right mind is going to hinge an investment on building a stadium for a CFL team and the hope that a surrounding commercial precinct will support it and make it flourish. Ask the people of Glendale Arizona how that one has worked out. Really. You can go online and check out lease availability in the "entertainment and hospitality district" around Jobing.Com Arena.

This is simply a matter of a private business (one that does not significantly impact the city economically) trying to leverage the emotional and historic ties it has to this city to its advantage.

Should the absurd happen and Mr Young is foolish enough to actually make good on his threats. He will slit his own throat with respect to the value of his CFL franchise. The City of Hamilton will move on and flourish with or without the Tiger Cats. As big a fan of the team as I am. I can still wrap my head around that possibility. And I'm ok with it.