The Toronto Maple Leafs promised the fans an announcement today that would shock them, something they have never done before in franchise history.
I'd say, job well done.
The Maple Leafs today, with help from Jeremy Williams, Wendel Clark, Matt Stajan, John Mitchell, and Curtis Joseph announced that they have added a pre-season game to take place September 22nd in Toronto against the Sabres.
There is just one catch: Every single ticket will be given away.
Free of charge.
The Maple Leafs along with Coca-Cola, the games primary sponsor, will give away all 20,000 tickets through various different contests and drawings leading up to the game.
At today's press conference everyone in attendance received tickets, handed to them personally by Williams, Clark, Stajan, Mitchell, and Cujo. Joseph got a very loud cheer and many "Cujo" chants in his first public appearance since returning to Toronto.
Sportsnet's website has something up right now to enter for tickets, as does the Coke Website. Mapleleafs.com will direct you to the Coke website.
This is just a little way for the Maple Leafs to finally give back to their fans who are some of the most loyal in sports.
While many home games for Toronto are quiet in atmosphere and usually filled with suits who use the tickets as a "night out," the pre season game should feature 20,000 of the most dedicated Maple Leafs' fans—the ones who want to be there; The ones who deserve to be there.
For the young guy who just can't afford them; for the person who can never seem to get them because they sell out; for the young family who otherwise couldn't afford to take their family to the game, it's all for us.
It could be a long year on the ice, but this will be a night to remember. No doubt about it.
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2 months ago
Judging by the lineup the Leafs will be icing next September, this is one game where the Leafs fans will actualy get their money's worth!!
from 2 months ago
lol
2 months ago
this is going to be a great move for the leafs i think
2 months ago
That is awsome!!! great idea, and i love cujo was there to hand out the tickets, got to love him
2 months ago
Now, MLSE better start working on getting the suits out of the building, it is utterly embarrassing to be arguabley the most historic franchise in the NHL and have one of the quietest buiidings.
The MLSE is going to get there money anyways, but the suits in the press box behind glass where they cant be seen, and put the loyal, loud, and passionate Leaf fans to take their places.
The roof should come off the ACC every single night. Just like the Bell centre.
2 months ago
So the pre-season games will actually have a better crowd and atmosphere than the regular season games because real fans, not sushi-eating suits, will be in attendance.
Of course knowing Toronto someone will get a hold of the free tickets and scalp them for $200 each.
2 months ago
So awesome. Wish I still lived in TO. They should make this a tradition.
2 months ago
lol, wow Spencer. You have taken your Leafs hating to a new level haven't you?
You're right, someone will probably sell them for that much. But at least there is a demand.
Remember in the post season how Scotiabank place didn't sell out?
Or how about how you couldn't purchase tickets online this past season for Leafs games in Ottawa, because the Sens were afraid too many Leafs fans would show up.
Or course they did anyway, found a way as always.
from 2 months ago
How is what I said Leaf hating?
I feel bad that average Leaf fans can't see their team play.
I may not be a Leaf fan but I think people who follow the team deserve to see them play over people discussing mergers and acquisitions over foie gras in the 100s.
As for your comments about the Sens attendance, not sure where that is coming from, the Sens were 3RD in NHL attendance (ahead of the Leafs who were 5th) with 107% capacity.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2008
Don't be so sensitive.
from 2 months ago
ya but eveytime the leafs play the sens, there are always so many leaf jerseys in the crowd. I remeber when they alwasy used to play each other in the playoffs and so many leaf fans were at the ottawa games so they made anyone wearing a leaf jersey either donate money or food to some ottawa charity thing.
from 2 months ago
Jordan, you're a moron. Have you ever noticed how many Canadiens fans there are when Toronto plays at home? It's always going to be easy for visintg fans to fill another stadium when you have endless ways to get tickets (stubhub, ticketsnow, scalpers, etc.). If people really want to see their team that bad and they have the cash to pony up, it doesn't matter.
2 months ago
Great PR move for MLSE, but since Coke is footing much of the bill, it's not really costing them much for how good it makes them look.
Having said that, it is a good move and assuming the tickets do get into the proper hands of those who can't access/afford them normally, it's great. They should give back to the fans more often after all the $$ the fans give them.
2 months ago
I know Scott. I was debating on going today, but I decided not to, thinking it would be just an over-hyped announcement that really wasn't a big deal. Guess I was wrong.
2 months ago
Give me a break. Anyone who thinks this is a nice gesture by the Leafs must be out of their mind. They are only doing this to promote the Coke Zero brand anyway. They picked up the tab on the tickets. This is also and extra preseason game so the Leafs aren't really going to be losing money anyway. This is more of a business move as opposed to "thanking the fans". It's funny how people can't see through the BS. Besides, why would I be happy to see a game that's going to be full of a bunch of minor league players anyway?
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