The Good Ship Argonaut Sails On

Official Review by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

The Toronto Argonauts are the oldest professional football team in the world. Founded in 1873, the Argonauts are also the third oldest professional sports franchise in North America behind only the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. They also have the distinction of being the oldest team in North America to keep their original city and name.

Needless to say Argonaut history is deep, but Argonaut history follows that of the CFL. Many believe that Toronto is the lynchpin of the CFL. If Toronto falls then so will the league. The Argos have suffered through periods of poor play and many years of shaky ownership. Although they often make a splash, the results can be less than satisfactory. Whether it was the high profile, yet ill-fated ownership of Wayne Gretzky, Bruce McNall and the late John Candy, or the scooping of Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, or the signing of a suspended Ricky Williams, the Argos know how to make a splash. Currently saved by David Braley, also owner of the B.C. Lions of the CFL, and a Canadian Senator, the biggest issue for the Argos is an appropriate stadium.

The current home of the Argos is the Rogers Centre, owned by current owner of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Communications. The previous ownership group worked for years to find a smaller, outdoor facility. They attempted to put together deals with the National Soccer Association, York University and the University of Toronto to build a stadium. On all accounts the efforts failed and eventually the Soccer Association got together with MLSE to build BMO Field, which is too small for CFL football. The rumblings of a new stadium have quieted down and the Argos remain at the Rogers Centre. Although not ideal, the Rogers Centre is adequate for CFL football and is great for a big event like the Grey Cup, but the long term future for the Argos at Rogers Centre remains uncertain.

Food & Beverage    4

There are lots of options for food at the Rogers Centre. With the crowd focused on the 100 level, the best options are available. There are a few Hogtown Grills that offer all of the staples including hot dogs, sausages, burgers, popcorn and sodas. I would suggest hitting the Quaker Steak and Lube stand for a wide selection of chicken wing flavors.

Bud, Bud Light, Bud Lime and Alexander Keith's are available for your alcoholic consumption. The damage is $11 for a tallboy. Not great, but not the worst I've seen.

Atmosphere    2

The Argonauts are not the main tenant in the Rogers Centre and it shows. There is very little in the way of decor for the Argonauts in the hallways around the stadium. Outside there are numerous banners celebrating the Toronto Blue Jays, but nothing to advertise Rogers Centre as the home of the Argos. Throughout the concourse, outside of the merchandise shops there is no evidence of the Argonauts calling the Rogers Centre home.

Inside the seating bowl, the banners above the video board celebrating the Argos are easily visible. Those banners include the record 15 Grey Cup Championships, the 20 member 'All Time Argo' Hall of Fame, a banner commemorating quarterback Damon Allen's setting of the all-time passing record for professional quarterbacks, and the retired numbers of Dick Shatto, Joe Krol, Danny Nykoluk and Michael 'Pinball' Clemons.

The sightlines in the Rogers Centre are not too bad, however the poorest seats are the first 20 rows, which are tarped off because of their insufficient slope. From day one of the Rogers Centre, it was clear that they had not fully thought about football. However, the Argonauts do benefit from some of the technology brought forth by the main tenant of the Rogers Centre. The video board is one of the best in the league, and is absolutely massive. Also, the video scoreboards that are used as walls for Blue Jay games are set up in the endzone, providing fans with more information.

The Argonauts do what they can to improve the gameday experience for the fans. On the day of this review, a record heat wave was traveling through Toronto, and the Argonauts arranged for the roof to be closed; an added bonus. Outside, a tailgate party provided fans with a live band and a beer garden. Rally towels were passed out to fans, and members of the Canadian military were honoured. During the game the Argonaut band entertained fans in the adjacent sections, however they were not given their due. They are rarely if ever given the chance to showcase for the entire crowd, and often are forced to play against music that is piped in over the PA. Not a great way to use resources.

Neighborhood    4

There are lots of options around the Rogers Centre. Located right downtown, entertainment options include touring the Steam Whistle Brewery, or venturing up to the top of the CN Tower, which is a must see when visiting Toronto. How can you say no to the tallest free-standing structure in North America? New in 2011 is EdgeWalk, where you can walk at the edge of the CN Tower, above the 360 Restaurant.

There are numerous options for eating, from chains to original restaurants. You can choose from Baton Rouge, Jack Astor's, Lone Star Texas Grill, St. Louis Bar & Grill, Canyon Creek and Casey's. If you are looking for something a bit more independently run I would suggest Wayne Gretzky's, The Loose Moose, or Fionn MacCool's. All are great spots before or after the game.

Fans    3

At just over 21,000 for the home opener, attendance figures for the Argos this year are not overly optimistic. At the time of writing, the Argos were in the basement as far as league attendance goes. This year the Argos have closed the upper bowl, bringing the capacity from over 42,000 down to a more manageable 31,000. The end result is a cavernous stadium, especially with the roof closed, that seems more empty than full. The fans that are there are a little louder than your typical laid-back Toronto fan. The chant of "AARRRRGOOOOOSSS" can be heard often inside and outside of the Rogers Centre.

Access    4

Located just North of the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd., Rogers Centre is pretty easy to get to. Like any other big city, traffic can be troublesome, but if you plan to get there early enough you shouldn't have a problem. If you are coming from the east, the drive down the Don Valley Parkway towards the Gardiner is quite nice and gives you a much nicer view of the city and the foliage around it than venturing in from the west. Parking is okay, if not a bit overpriced. The damage on this day was $15. Of course, the TTC may be a better option for you. Union Station is a quick walk through the covered Skywalk.

Return on Investment    3

Ticket prices range from $22 to $82 for a game. For those of you dead-set against Ticketmaster, you are out of luck. However, if you are willing to brave the game-day lines, you can save those nasty Ticketmaster fees by purchasing at the box office. Scarcity is not an issue. Ticket prices are average for the league, and with the upper bowl closed, you are getting better seats for the cheaper dollars. Concession prices are definitely on the higher side, so an average ROI is what the Argonauts are selling.

Extras    2

An extra point for the vast history of the Toronto Argonauts, even if it wasn't sufficiently displayed.

An extra point for the upcoming 100th Grey Cup, to be hosted by the Argonauts at the Rogers Centre in 2012.

Final Thoughts

It is amazing that the good ship Argonaut has stayed afloat in the city of Toronto. Given its vast history and near closures, there must be something right about the Argos. Many detractors have said that once the NFL comes to Toronto, the CFL will die, specifically the Argos. However, the Argos have weathered the storm brought by the Buffalo Bills and their annual trip to Toronto. The fact remains that the Argos need something to put them over the hump and give them long-term sustainability. It was once thought that a smaller stadium would satisfy that need, but any talk of a new stadium has died.

At the end of the day, there is still value in seeing the Argos. If you are looking for the opportunity to break up the baseball monotony that the summer can produce, then the CFL may be for you. If you happen to be in Toronto, consider taking in an Argo game. You may be surprised with what greets you.