2014 Grey Cup

[Centrum22]

That pretty much proves that they do have financial problems.

Because as I already pointed out, the new stadium will have hosted 20 (maybe 22) games of nationally televised, sold-out CFL football games, as well as a number of major concerts (with international superstars like Taylor Swift) over the course of two years before the 2014 Grey Cup. What other damn kinks do you need to work out before the building is deemed capable of hosting a 23rd CFL game?

The new BC Place had only 5 games (and 7 weeks) to work out the kinks after undergoing a total renovation, including the installation of a completely untested state-of-the-art roof, new electronic and video technology, new field, new seats and seating configuration, new concession services, new entrances and exits, new ticketing, etc.

So, the Bombers "excuse" is worse than flimsy. It's absolutely preposterous.

[cromartie]

That pretty much proves that they do have financial problems.

Because as I already pointed out, the new stadium will have hosted 20 (maybe 22) games of nationally televised, sold-out CFL football games, as well as a number of major concerts (with international superstars like Taylor Swift) over the course of two years before the 2014 Grey Cup. What other damn kinks do you need to work out before the building is deemed capable of hosting a 23rd CFL game?

The new BC Place had only 5 games (and 7 weeks) to work out the kinks after undergoing a total renovation, including the installation of a completely untested state-of-the-art roof, new electronic and video technology, new field, new seats and seating configuration, new concession services, new entrances and exits, new ticketing, etc.

So, the Bombers "excuse" is worse than flimsy. It's absolutely preposterous.

Alright, well, the sky isn't falling. New stadiums with construction delays can be expensive. They'll work the kinks out, pony up the $3 million to buy the game from the league in 2015, make $10 million off of it and be fine. Temporary cash crunches happen.

[Hambone]

That pretty much proves that they do have financial problems.

Because as I already pointed out, the new stadium will have hosted 20 (maybe 22) games of nationally televised, sold-out CFL football games, as well as a number of major concerts (with international superstars like Taylor Swift) over the course of two years before the 2014 Grey Cup. What other damn kinks do you need to work out before the building is deemed capable of hosting a 23rd CFL game?

The new BC Place had only 5 games (and 7 weeks) to work out the kinks after undergoing a total renovation, including the installation of a completely untested state-of-the-art roof, new electronic and video technology, new field, new seats and seating configuration, new concession services, new entrances and exits, new ticketing, etc.

So, the Bombers "excuse" is worse than flimsy. It's absolutely preposterous.

Huge difference. BC Place is not run by the BC Lions. Pavco is responsible for the operation of the facility and getting the kinks out. The Lions only show up to pay the rent and play football games. The Lions' Grey Cup Committee could concentrate full time on all aspects of a major event like Grey Cup which is 10% game and 90% everything else. Really the building is the least of the logistics challenges for putting on a Grey Cup unless you have to deal with adding temporary seating. It's the planning and logistics of all the other events that takes the bulk of the effort. In Winnipeg it's the Bombers who will be operating all aspects of the new stadium whether its for football, concerts or other events. They are responsible for getting the kinks out and ensuring everything is running smoothly in their new home.

[cromartie]

Who would have thought the new Port Mann bridge would have had problems with ice/slush falling from the cables?

Off topic, but me. There's a bridge in Toledo, Ohio that has the exact same problem. There were concerns from a basic design of the I-93 bridge in Boston. Plenty of precedent on this.

That aside, solid thoughts on working the kinks out in Winnipeg.

[274always]

as it stands BC looks like the front runner

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html

[B.C.FAN]

The extent of Winnipeg's debt problem and its effect the club's football operations is spelled out in this Winnipeg Free Press article:
On-field product falls victim to debt

The Lions are lucky to have a first-class stadium and no worries about how to pay for it.

[Belize City Lion]

BC hosted the Grey Cup 4 times in 7 years from 1983 through 1990. In 1990 they were about 10,000 short of a sell out. In 1994 ticket sales were slow until McManus hit Flutie for the winning TD in the WDF. I would be concerned about having anyone city host too often. However, it's tempting when BC has one of the best stadiums in North America.

[SammyGreene]

Upside: With two premier sponsors apparently pulling out and ticket sales not being what the Lions expected last season, another Grey Cup will give the club a chance to shore up sponsorship and an incentive to sell more tickets especially with a championship calibre team on the field. I expect their season ticket base to dip somewhat this season and the smaller seating configuration suggests the Lions are thinking the same way.

Downside: At least a couple of years too soon and where will BC fall in the pecking order after 2014? You would figure at least seven teams would be ahead of them with Winnipeg, Hamilton and Ottawa topping the list.

If there ever was a time for Braley to sell the team it would be after the 2014 season with no big cash fall on the horizon.

[Hambone]

BC hosted the Grey Cup 4 times in 7 years from 1983 through 1990. In 1990 they were about 10,000 short of a sell out. In 1994 ticket sales were slow until McManus hit Flutie for the winning TD in the WDF. I would be concerned about having anyone city host too often. However, it's tempting when BC has one of the best stadiums in North America.

That was a product of the era. I think the back to back hostings of 1986 and 1987 were largely in part to nobody else wanting to host. Edmonton had just hosted in 1984 and Montreal in 1985. The Argos were owned by Carling O'Keefe and likely waiting for the opening of Skydome to jump in there. At the time there were the 4 large capacity stadiums (counting CNE) that could hold 50000+ and everything else was around 30K capacity or less. The idea of rotating it around hadn't taken hold probably because the concept of adding temporary seating was largely unproven until Ottawa in 1988. That opened up some eyes. As for 1994 I don't think it had anything to do with having hosted the game those previous 4 times. That was a confusing time for the CFL with the USA experiment getting started. The dark days of CFL apathy were already well underway. Grey Cup was in no way at the level of national popularity that it is today.

I was actually quite surprised at a similar thread in RF.com this week. Normally Rider fans have nothing but disdain for anything related to the Lions or any suggestions to small markets not hosting. However the overall sentiment about BC hosting again possibly at the expense of the Bombers was absolutely glowing. They are all for it because of the climate, facilities and everything else associated with another Vancouver GC.

[TheLionKing]

as it stands BC looks like the front runner

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html

[274always]

Looking more and more imminent. Announcement could be in a week or two.

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/03/01 ... ee-agency/

[TheLionKing]

Nice to see Ullrich reading Lionbackers.

[B.C.FAN]

Announcement to come Friday, says News1130 afer talking to David Braley today:

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports
Expect the #B.C Lions to announce they will play host to the 2014 Grey Cup game on Friday.

[TheLionKing]

Buono and Benevides now has to do their part and ensure that the Lions play in the big game