Can MLSE Just Buy This Franchise Already?!?!

Jatt · Post #1 » by **Jatt** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:50 pm

It's pretty clear Rogers is more interested in selling their phones, controlling the entire cable market and using the Jays as mediocre programming on their mediocre sports channel, how long before fan apathy reaches a boiling point and the Jays start to weigh down their bottom line? What other potential owners are their that would be able to put the money needed for the Jays to compete beyond MLSE? Perhaps another brewer like their old owners Labbatts but with the ACC condos going up across the street, maybe the Jays would be a good investment (and give MLSE a stranglehold on the sports market), perhaps not the most ideal owner, but better than the current one.

lostradamus · Post #2 » by **lostradamus** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:35 pm

I would love for Jim Balsillie to give up trying to get an NHL team and buy the Jays instead. He would be an owner more concerned with winning rather than the bottom line.

LieCheatSteal · Post #3 » by **LieCheatSteal** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:44 pm

MLSE is building a sports empire in TO (Raptors, Leafs, FC) so I can see them at least making an effort to purchase the Jays. However, I'm not sure if they'll be more inclined to spend than Rogers.

And, honestly, I think the Rogers do spend money. However, after the Rios, Ryan and Wells deals, do you really want to let JP spend more money? I can see Rogers (or the next owners) willing to spend money after JP's fired. But not now. Maybe in a year or two, whenever the new regime is established.

Mike Hunt · Post #4 » by **Mike Hunt** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:36 pm

The problem is that MLSE are into making profits. The Blue Jays are not a money making venture right now and probably won't be for years to come. Before that happens, they either have to start winning like crazy (which is hard to do with stingy ownership) or have to wait a really long time to move out of the Rogers center.

victor page · Post #5 » by **victor page** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:56 pm

Jim Balsillie is an interesting prospective owner - not sure if he's into hockey (he's a Montreal guy so probably not). A beefed up Jays team with a $200M payroll playing in a stadium named after RIM or Blackberry would be a powerful branding platform. I can't believe I just used the expression branding platform.

You could have live Jays telecasts accessible on the new version of BB and who wouldn't pay extra to have that application? (especially with a $200M payroll Jays squad). Sooner or later, you will see a salary cap in baseball so Balsillie wouldn't have to spend $200M forever.

lostradamus · Post #6 » by **lostradamus** » Wed Sep 2, 2009 7:43 pm

The Blackberry Skydome has a nice ring to it. Especially if RIM comes out with a new phone called the Blackberry Sky.

JN · Post #7 » by JN » Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30 pm

victor page wrote:Jim Balsillie is an interesting prospective owner.

LOL, Balsille is for all intents and purposes, banned from ever being an owner in the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL. He has burned so many bridges by his ludicrous actions to try to overthrow a league constition through the bankruptcy courts... this threatens how every major league can manage itself and manage rights to markets. Every sports league is assisting the NHL in its case against Balsillie, because it also affects them, and every league realizes how the tried to steal from the existing owners.