Article content continued

This ticket price reduction should serve as a stern lesson for the CFL. The Grey Cup isn’t the Super Bowl, and ticket prices should never be set as high as they were. If you want it to be the Canadian party that it’s always been, make it affordable for as many Canadians as possible.

The more corporate you make an event, the less exciting the event becomes. And besides, if the CFL is appealing to a younger audience like it says it is, that age group can’t afford to shell out big money for tickets anyway.

The Toronto market remains critical for the survival of the CFL, and the slashing of ticket prices is another blow this year for the franchise that is under new ownership.

It is something that had to be done, however. It will probably be the best thing to happen to the Argos all year, because the last thing the Boatmen can afford is empty seats at BMO Field on Nov. 27.

***

[np_storybar title=”By the numbers” link=””]

15 Consecutive wins for West Division teams over East squads

41 Days between clincher and West Division final for Stampeders this year

6 Teams, since 1986, with at least 41 days between clinching first and division final

3 Teams that had at least a 41-day break, but failed to win the Grey Cup

[/np_storybar]

The debate about scrapping the East and West Divisions has heated up once again, since the East is having trouble winning football games this season.

The crossover usually ensures that the top six teams make the playoffs, but there’s a chance this year that the Roughriders, who will finish last in the West, will end up among the top half-dozen overall. You can imagine the complaints that will come out of Saskatchewan should that happen.