Commentary: A New Leaf
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I like to say nothing surprises me anymore, but that’s not entirely true.
The reaction of our TV show viewers and sports fans, across the continent actually, to Wednesday’s news that Rogers is buying out Bell’s shares in Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment in Toronto was quite surprising.
They cared quite a bit more than I do.
In fact, a lot of people care about this deal, judging by the headlines the deal made not only across all the TV stations, but also newspapers and business journals across Canada and the US.
Apparently the Leafs are a big deal!
The only reason I don’t care as much is because I knew that it really won’t change anything as far as how we sports fans view Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays games.
Industry insiders guaranteed as much in analysis of Wednesday’s news, where Rogers has assumed almost total control of every sports team and venue in Toronto.
Really all I cared about is how this will affect my cell phone bill and peoples’ cable bills moving forward.
There doesn’t seem to be much change there and to be honest, I’ve had a Rogers cell phone for over a decade and the monthly fee hasn’t gone up once in that entire time.
In fact I’ve never had any issues with Rogers at all.
Although it scares the bejeepers out of me to have one conglomerate owning every sports team in a city.
That’s what’s going on in Calgary, and the jury’s out whether that’s a good plan or not. The Flames and Stamps are in both in, or near, last place so you tell me.
Whether it’s the way I was raised, or just from what I’ve learned in life, I believe competition is a good thing and too much power is extremely dangerous.
I also realize not everyone agrees with that. Especially the people in charge!
So other than that, this news doesn’t affect me one iota, therefore I haven’t paid it much mind at all.
But that hasn’t stopped me from delving into coverage of the deal because frankly, it’s everywhere you turn.
Just like the Leafs.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 4 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)
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We rarely agree on anything – but with the Argos – honestly I’m not an Accountant, but I have a feeling they use the Argos as an advertising space to promote their other stuff. The UFL is owned by Fox Sports and some other entities – it’s a cheap air space to promote the US Army as their major sponsor and get eyeballs onto to their other streaming services. I can’t help but notice with Argos/TSN a lot of advertisements are directing people to the stuff they have on streaming services. The other aspect is – it’s money washing –… Read more »
For many being slow on the uptake is not necessarily a bad thing. The only reason I was an indoctrinated Toronto Maple Leafs fan – so think no channels on a farm and CBC Saturday night. – the WHA had been around since 1972 and Mark Messier explained he was an Alberta Oilers fan, but they got no play. B obby Hull and the Winnipeg Jets came through town and that was the future of hockey in how to play that game. Now with that stated I am officially done with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Corporate Media – is nothing… Read more »
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