Quote:
Originally Posted by Acajack
Correct, but no one ever claims that Montreal and Quebec are the standard-bearer for things pan-Canadian. Montreal doesn't have Canada's national newspaper, the Canadian National Exhibition, the Canadian National Home Show, Canada's National Boat Show, Canada's sports network, Canada's "team" in various US sports leagues, blablabla...
|
Absolutely, but at the same time people automatically assume Montreal should be given international events (See: World Cup bid) simply because they're the second largest city and the standard-bearer for French Canada when, as history as shown, they don't show up in the numbers that other Canadian cities would put up for similar events. Montreal claims default #2 status in Canada for hosting international events when at times it has no business doing so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acajack
I am not sure the popularity of the Wolfpack proves anything, as it's still something non-Canadian that as others pointed out, appeals to globalist aspirations in the city. (American stuff naturally draws most of the globalist fetish, but other stuff sometimes gets drawn in as well like the World Cup...)
|
I suppose so, but American sports are very much in their own little bubble. The US dominates Basketball (which is steadily becoming more global), they claim ownership of Baseball (when they're not the best at it, and is slightly global), and they're the only country that plays American Football (which is slowly on the decline). Other sports like soccer and rugby are growing but still aren't anywhere near the larger sports, and further global sports like cricket are nowhere to be seen. I'm of the opinion that Toronto's aspirations are far more global than American, but generally skew towards American because of the MLB/NBA.
The popularity of the Wolfpack could probably be drawn down to some sort of weird Commonwealth ties and being more progressive/interactive/exciting than Canadian football/Argos, or other local sports. The team is dominating and should be promoted up, whether the majority of people going to Lamport for games are aware of that or not.
On that note, Wolfpack drew 7,139 yesterday, bringing their season average up to 6,581 with one regular season home game remaining.
----
FC Edmonton drew 3,438 on Friday against North Carolina FC, dropping their season average down slightly to 3,588.
REDBLACKS and Roughriders had what were essentially sellouts last night, wrapping up a pretty good Week 3 for CFL gates.
Blue Jays continue to draw into the 40Ks in early July despite the sluggish season. 41K, 37K, 46K hosting the Astros so far just before the All Star Break.