Rich Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/cfl/Outdoor-Heritage-Classic-game-could-be-postponed-289193531.html The Heritage Classic hoped to be played in Winnipeg next season is in danger of being postponed for one year. The NHL and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are struggling to find a date that works for both sides. The NHL wants to play the game in late December while the football club is pushing for a February date. The Bombers don’t want the game played that close to the Grey Cup while February won’t work for the NHL due to its all-star game and other soon-to-be announced outdoor games. Both sides are hopeful a compromise can be reached but time is running out for a game in the 2015-16 season. Bombers CEO Wade Miller is pushing for a greater gap between the two games and wants the NHL to pick up costs, believed to be more than $500,000, associated with keeping the stadium operational through a Winnipeg winter. The league is expected announce its slate of outdoor games for next season this weekend at its all-star weekend in Columbus. Unless there is a dramatic softening of stances, Winnipeg will not be on the schedule. ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Sounds like Wade Miller is about to make his first big misstep as CEO. He's trying to double dip by getting their fair share of the revenue AND having the NHL assume responsibilities for costs that they should not have to bear (which he's trying to justify by pushing the date of the hockey game) My god man, just take what you can get and move forward. You're going to make money either way, no need to get greedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenaline_x Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Not sure it about being greedy, as i can only assume they dont keep the stands clear of snow and all the other things like washrooms, concessions stands, stocked, employed and winterized when there wouldn't otherwise be a need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpan85 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Fair point about it being a few weeks after Grey Cup it's going to take all focus away from the cup. sweep the leg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Sounds like Wade Miller is about to make his first big misstep as CEO. He's trying to double dip by getting their fair share of the revenue AND having the NHL assume responsibilities for costs that they should not have to bear (which he's trying to justify by pushing the date of the hockey game) My god man, just take what you can get and move forward. You're going to make money either way, no need to get greedy. This is what I thought at first as well, that he wanted that 500k cash grab. Then I read the rest of the article and he it seems he is more concerned about the Heritage Classic cannibalizing Grey Cup ticket sales. They overpriced the heritage classic in Vancouver and struggled to sellout, giving deep discounts before the event. You are going to be asking a lot of the same people to spend $300+ on Grey Cup ticket and another $200 - $1000 on a heritage classic ticket. Based on prior seasons, the Bombers are by no means guaranteed to be in the Grey Cup, so no guarantee you see your team, but you are guaranteed to see the Jets. Then again, when was the last time the Grey Cup didn't sellout. Maybe this is just a cash grab. I do agree that if Wade wants to play chicken with the NHL, he will lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Either way, the reality is that the Jets will win the battle in the public court if they go toe to toe with the Bombers. The Bombers could be doing this for ALL of the right reasons, but people won't care. Rich, bearpants and Atomic 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Bombers need to just nod their heads and do whatever the NHL wants to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrg Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Bombers need to just nod their heads and do whatever the NHL wants to do. Yes, the organization $85 million dollars in debt and counting should put the interests of a totally unrelated business ahead of their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Bombers need to just nod their heads and do whatever the NHL wants to do. Yes, the organization $85 million dollars in debt and counting should put the interests of a totally unrelated business ahead of their own. They should because they don't need the bad PR which will come along with a public battle with the Jets that results in no Heritage Classic this season. Obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Late December - that could be freakin' cold for a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Late December - that could be freakin' cold for a game. Really anytime between December and March could potentially be extremely cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Dee Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Kiss my ice NHL…. Well, maybe that's not quite how Miller put it, but bravo Mr. Miller for setting priorities. "A well-run and successful Grey Cup can generate millions of dollars for the host franchise. Miller’s mandate as CEO of the Bombers must be to protect that revenue first and foremost." Exactly - Miller has to protect what he can control, and that is the decisions that will help make the Grey Cup a successful event. The mighty NHL always dictates how they want to run things…it's how they operate. They could care less about the City and the Province and our Canadian tradition that is the Grey Cup game. The NHL has tremendous respect for Mark Chipman, so there still might be hope if talks continue, but I hope the always-has-been-underdog Miller holds his ground in facing the bullies from down south. Dr. Blue 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Let's see how well the Grey Cup sells when it is the main reason we are not getting a Heritage Classic that everyone has been expecting for at least 2 years. Why don't we ask the citizens of Winnipeg which one they would rather have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR. CFL Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Perhaps it wasn't a good decision to try and host both games in the same season. A huge cash outlay for those hoping to attend both events. sweep the leg and SPuDS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweep the leg Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Let's see how well the Grey Cup sells when it is the main reason we are not getting a Heritage Classic that everyone has been expecting for at least 2 years. Why don't we ask the citizens of Winnipeg which one they would rather have? I think they want both, which they'll get. They'll just be spread out over two winters rather than a few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Let's see how well the Grey Cup sells when it is the main reason we are not getting a Heritage Classic that everyone has been expecting for at least 2 years. Why don't we ask the citizens of Winnipeg which one they would rather have? Postponed does not mean cancelled. SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbill2004 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 I was looking forward to the Heritage Classic this year in Winnipeg, but I fully support Wade Millers reasoning and I've got no problem waiting another year for the Heritage Classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Yeah you guys are right. The Bombers totally aren't going to take any heat for this from the public. Totally reasonable decision. Colin Fast @policyfrog 2h2 hours ago Dear Bombers: Do yourself a PR favour, and sort out this winter hockey game ASAP. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/cfl/Outdoor-Heritage-Classic-game-could-be-postponed-289193531.html … Wilksy @bdrw 33m33 minutes ago The Bombers are hot garbage and putting the Heritage Classic for next season on ice is more hot garbage.HOT GARBAGE. Ryan @rnerb17 4m4 minutes ago Can't wait to extra not-watch the grey cup next year. Just give us the heritage classic @Wpg_BlueBombers Red River Rebel @red_river_rebel 5m5 minutes ago Cancelling #NHLJets outdoor game = official boycott of #CFL #GreyCup2015 starting now. Bombers won't be in it anyway. Jon Cutler @thejoncutler 13m13 minutes ago Love how the @Wpg_BlueBombers creating issue 4 @NHLJets heritage classic date. Why r u worried 4 grey cup..we wont even be in it! #GoJetsGo T Money @T_Money204 15m15 minutes ago Bombers ****** the Heritage classic ******* another reason why they are so **** Jason Lawless @jlawless007 24m24 minutes ago @garylawless lots of excitement around heritage classic, the grey cup - not so much, at least imo JetsGirl76 @JetsGirl76 2m2 minutes ago “@garylawless: Outdoor Heritage Classic game postponed until 2016-17 season - ” NOT GOING TO ANY BOMBER GAMES THIS YEAR!!! #brutal Finchie @Sk8terboi010 3m3 minutes ago Get your **** together @Wpg_BlueBombers and let the #NHLJets #HeritageClassic happen Mike McIntyre @mikeoncrime 17m17 minutes ago Oh to be a fly-on-the-wall for those behind-the-scenes Bombers-Jets discussions about the fumbled outdoor hockey game next season. Mike McIntyre @mikeoncrime 58m58 minutes ago So the Bombers are blocking the Jets from hosting outdoor game next winter? Why couldn't they play this kind of defence last season??? Birdman @Birdman2403 1h1 hour ago #Bombers will take a hit again if they are reason for no outdoor game. Right or wrong, they need to work as team on this with Jets. JetsGirl76 @JetsGirl76 27m27 minutes ago @wpgguy Bombers are not working with jets for outdoor game. Looks like it will be postponed a year! Brutal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweep the leg Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 You found outrage on twitter? This changes everything. Brandon, Y2C, max power and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 You found outrage on twitter? This changes everything. How much outrage would there have been if they just got the deal done like they were supposed to? The Bombers have a very negative public image in this city right now and they certainly don't need to make it any worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrg Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Let's see how well the Grey Cup sells when it is the main reason we are not getting a Heritage Classic that everyone has been expecting for at least 2 years. Why don't we ask the citizens of Winnipeg which one they would rather have? Hmmm, an either or mentality where the Bombers come in last. And to think Miller has concerns over putting these two events so close together. What a fool. FrostyWinnipeg and max power 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrg Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 You found outrage on twitter? This changes everything. How much outrage would there have been if they just got the deal done like they were supposed to? The Bombers have a very negative public image in this city right now and they certainly don't need to make it any worse. What are you, the Bombers mom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Dee Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 ………….And once again……thanks for playing twitter-winks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Let's see how well the Grey Cup sells when it is the main reason we are not getting a Heritage Classic that everyone has been expecting for at least 2 years. Why don't we ask the citizens of Winnipeg which one they would rather have? Hmmm, an either or mentality where the Bombers come in last. And to think Miller has concerns over putting these two events so close together. What a fool. The Grey Cup isn't selling out here either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlue Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 You found outrage on twitter? This changes everything. How much outrage would there have been if they just got the deal done like they were supposed to? The Bombers have a very negative public image in this city right now and they certainly don't need to make it any worse. I think this is a bit extreme. The image is all relative to what you're comparing it with and by whom. Major league vs. minor league here, there are supporters for both. It just so happens the woodwork is now filled with pro-Jets folk who would take a bullet for the team, and kick the slumping Bombers to the curb and call it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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