A couple of days ago, I was reading the Toronto Star, a good 'ole newspaper, and my eyes were drawn to this big Leafs announcement. What was the announcement? A game completely free for fans.
The first 700 people who showed up at a press conference were given a pair of tickets to the game, and the rest will be given away through contests and whatnot. It was an added preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 22, 2008. Considering how many suits there are at Leafs games, if the tickets are not hoarded and sold, which is something that shouldn't happen, this will be a success.
The problem is, tickets for this game are already being put on ticket buying sites. It's ridiculous, a game that is supposed to be completely free for fans, and some people are going to have to pay to get in. This is Toronto, though, and you get used to it. Since this is a remarkable situation for the Leafs fans, let's go through the pros and cons of a decision for a free game.
Pros:
- Well, the most obvious is that it is free, except for parking, but the Leafs don't get money for the parking. I've only been to one Leaf game in my life, and it was at Maple Leaf Gardens. This is pretty much the only chance I will have to see a Leaf game live.
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- Most of the suits will not be in the arena. Most spectators will be into the game. Of course some of the big companies will be able to get in, but for the most part, it will just be fans.
- A third pro is the game itself. They almost couldn't have the matchup better. The QEW Rivalry, the Buffalo Sabres. Most fans in the arena do not like the Sabres, so it will be a little louder than if it were Atlanta or Anaheim. If they could have gotten Montreal or Ottawa, it would have been a bit better.
Cons:
- The first con about this game, a thing I have already mentioned is that tickets will probably be hoarded and sold, something that shouldn't happen at a free game. At stubhub.com, tickets for this game are already being sold at over $150. That's stupid, but this is Toronto and people will try to get all the money that they can get.
- A second con about it is that this game is an early preseason game, so the hockey will not be the best. It's free, though, so I guess we will take what we can get in this situation. The on-ice product would have been better if it was the last game before the start of the season, but again, I'll take what I can get.
Overall, the pros trump the cons, which is good. This will probably be a success and the fans that are lucky enough to get tickets will be happy that they were able to watch this game. If I get tickets, it will probably be the only game that I will get to watch at the ACC for a long time.
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about 1 month ago
I'm sorry, but the pros do not even come close to outweighing the cons. If I had to spend even $10 for a ticket that is supposed to be "free" then I'm already at a loss. This kind of thing can only happen in Toronto. And I'm not saying that in a cute kind of "aw shucks" kind of way either. Open the doors to the ACC and let it be first come, first seated.
Oh, and since when did a fan have to be "lucky enough" to get FREE tickets to watch a sub 500 team play a pre-season game? What a joke this team is.
from about 1 month ago
They are a joke? How about Tampa, Atlanta, and every other team that was worse than them.
And in terms of being lucky, the real Leafs fans who pour their heart and soul into this team would be lucky to see their favourite team for free in a seat other than the last row.
from about 1 month ago
Correct me if I'm wrong but Tampa has won a Cup in the past 5 years have they not? And they've probably been one of the most active teams since the trade market opened.
And as for the "real Leafs fans", my comment wasn't directed at them but rather the suits in charge of ticket prices. There's absolutely no excuse for charging the prices they do since it's the "real Leafs fans" that can't afford them. It's astounding how Leafs fans take this gouging in stride and consider themselves "lucky" when they get tickets at all.
from about 1 month ago
I meant this year. And the Leafs organization is doing their best to keep the suits out for this game.
about 1 month ago
True hockey fans like myself will still be forced to sit and home... This hockey fan will be at Ricco watching a decent team win a couple. Go Marlies GO!!!!
about 1 month ago
I like the idea a lot. The Leafs are letting their fans see a preseason game in for free as a way of saying thank you for supporting us even though we suck. It is unfortunate that people are taking the tickets and then turning around and selling them. But lets face it in todays world people will try to make a quick buck or in this case 150 bucks.
about 1 month ago
this is interesting...i think it is just a way to get people who can't afford tickets to the game.
about 1 month ago
we should start a grassroots fan-based movement to get MLSE into selling empty seats after the first period - for a token amount, to folks who are willing to take the risk of getting in and could just watch in a bar close by if they can't. MLSE still benefits from concession sales, and we get some real fans into the lower bowl to improve the vibe. who's with me?
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