Dear MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment),
Where do I begin? First of all I think it is time for you guys to start focusing on the sport aspect of not only the Toronto Maple Leafs, but every other organization in Toronto as well and a little less on the business side. Lets take a look at the last time some of the teams have won the championship in their respected sports: Toronto Maple Leafs: 1967, Toronto Blue Jays: 1993, Toronto Raptors: Never, Toronto FC: Never. The only 2 teams to have some recent success would be the Toronto Rock who won the NLL Championship in 2011. Also the Toronto Argonauts won the Grey Cup in 2012. Other then that it has been quite some time since there has been a championship parade in the GTA. The Leafs have only made the playoffs once in the past 11 years, be it that was during a shortened season due to the lockout. My point is, why should fans continue to support a team that hasn’t won a cup in 47 years and hasn’t qualified for the playoffs in 11 years? Personally, I think until the fans make a statement that they are no longer going to support such a failing organization, winning wise, this team will only stay the way it is. If fans stop going to home games and show the owners that they truly are frustrated with the situation then this message may get across, until then I don’t think there will be little if any change at all.
You guys really need to get your acts together and take all Toronto organizations seriously. Have as much heart and passion for the teams as the true fans have for them. I hate watching Leafs home games because at the start of every period the best seats in the house, centre ice, are always empty. Due to the fact that these seats are just gave away to businesses and they give them to people who they are trying to close a deal with or who they are trying to get on good terms with. It’s basically BlackBerry central, with businessmen on their BlackBerry’s the entire game. Also, even if those seats were available they would still go to people within the organization since the ticket prices are outrageous, plain and simple. The only people who can afford to get seats in the lower bowl at the Air Canada Centre are people in suits. So a question I have is how can tickets cost so much when the product on the ice hasn’t done anything in the past 11 years? I can tell you why, it’s because they know they are going to sell out regardless because Toronto fans are the most loyal and passionate fans in the world, win or lose Leafs home games will always sell out. Which brings me back to my point where the fans need to take a stand and stop going to the home games, it will help get the message across that we are all frustrated with the losing.
It also comes down to the people in charge of the organization, they are all business men sure, however they do not show heart and passion for the team and it translates to the product on the ice. This team, as well as all teams in the GTA, need someone who has heart, passion and enthusiasm for the teams. For example, a guy like Doug Gilmour could do wonders for the Leafs organization. He was the heart and soul of the Leafs for 6 years, he played with his heart on his sleeve. This team now lacks that both on the ice and in management. People always say you will never get a superstar player to sign with the Leafs. I wonder why? The media in Toronto is pathetic, players do not want to come to Toronto because of all the pressure that comes with it. An example of how poor the media is in Toronto would be how Phil Kessel is not in shape, it is a hot topic every single season. If the media thinks he isn’t in shape why don’t you take a look at his stats? This is his 6th season with the Leafs, in his first 5 seasons he had 333 points in 364 games. Not too bad for a guy who is “out of shape” if you ask me.
Sincerely,
Mike Cumben
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