The Toronto Star wonders if fans are finally tired of bad Leaf teams:The face time with Burke, apparently, was the latest in the line of sweeteners meant to entice a faithful that, once upon a time, didn't need enticement.Interesting development. Now I'm sure the Leafs will lose some of their season ticket holders due to the economy; to pretend otherwise would be crazy. But the general assumption has always been that there would be people standing in line behind them ready to take the opportunity.
I've long said that Toronto could field a team consisting of Timbits and they'd still sell out, and I still think it is true to some extent.
When you think about it, the scarcity of Leafs tickets was what was driving the potential relocation of the Nashville Predators to Hamilton. The theory was that fans in Southern Ontario who couldn't get Leafs tickets would make the drive to Hamilton, if only to watch the visiting teams. Now this plan may not be as feasible as originally thought.
I do wonder if the Leafs have managed to devalue their own tickets, even as they drive the price up. Increased prices were paid by corporate customers, while your fan-in-the-street made do with increased TV coverage on CBC, TSN, SportsNet, and of course Leafs TV. Going to the rink to watch the game becomes less about the game and more about the experience of being there. If fans want to actually watch and follow the game, they stay home and watch it on TV.
It will be interesting to see how the Leafs do next year with their season tickets holders.
(Assist on the play: PPP)
