Maple Leafs Front Office Plans Bold Offseason Strategy to Fix Troubling Home-Ice Problem
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to add some more life to Scotiabank Arena with MLSE CEO Keith Pelley expecting to make big changes for next season.
It's no secret that the Maple Leafs fans are simultaneously one of the most passionate but critical fanbases in all of professional sports. Everything is under the microscope, and the Leafs faithful aren't shy about voicing their displeasure.
While they had a very positive atmosphere in the playoffs despite some frustrating antics, their regular season often left a lot to be desired.
The most passionate are often relegated to the upper bowls, while muted and apathetic fans half-heartedly cheer from below, and was a huge bit of contention earlier this season.
Keith Pelley Wants Playoff Atmosphere Every Game
But for MLSE CEO Keith Pelley, who is going to have a bigger hand in making decisions now with Brendan Shanahan out of the picture, he believes that bringing in that playoff environment every night would be a huge boost for the team:
[That's] a really good question. What happened in the playoffs, especially (at the start of) Game 7 showed us what this can be, in terms of a magical hockey atmosphere.
It's one we'll look to get better at on game day. A lot of it is getting people into their seats a bit earlier.
We did a really good job of that in playoffs, turning lights off, blowing whistles. It makes a difference, it's great to have it for all three periods.
It's one we'll look to get better at on game day. A lot of it is getting people into their seats a bit earlier.
We did a really good job of that in playoffs, turning lights off, blowing whistles. It makes a difference, it's great to have it for all three periods.
While that would be a good start, making sure than fans can actually enjoy the game without having to wait so long for concessions or if they issues with parking and traffic.
They are paying an absolute premium, and while more often than not the fans come out with a positive experience, those games like Games 5 and 7 in the playoffs show the darker side of their passion.
What Can Toronto Do To Improve Things For Fans?
According to Pelley, the organization is going to take a long look this offseason at a plan that would help increase the fan experience, whatever that entails:
It's how players relate to the fans and quite honestly how we relate to the media. I understand the importance of the media, having worked in it for so long. We need to embrace the media and fans and be out there more.
A full, detailed plan in the off-season is a priority.
A full, detailed plan in the off-season is a priority.
So what could be part of that plan?
First and foremost, ticket prices.
It's absurdly expensive to go to a regular season game in Toronto, not only because a fair share of seats are corporately owned, but the price for one ticket can exceed upwards of $200-300 for a upper level seat.
The Leafs are the most expensive NHL team, with an average of nearly $1,000 CAD for a family of four (tickets w/ child priced admission, four hot dogs, two beers, two soft drinks, and parking).
A lot of that money involves the tickets, and while we as fans aren't asking for bargain basement prices, some parity would be nice.
Slashing prices even 15% would make a $300 ticket all of a sudden a $255 ticket, while not cheap by any means, is a good start. A $200 ticket would be $170 dollars, something that is manageable for most fans, and gives a bit of extra cash for concessions.
Speaking of, concessions and to a lesser extent promotions, need to be adjusted. The team needs to take a step back and follow in the Toronto Blue Jays footsteps.
The Jays have designated sections for cheaper concessions. It's not 'King Can' Budweisers or premium hot dogs, but when you're paying up to 66% less it doesn't matter.
Scotiabank has too much of an emphasis on modern luxury and forgoing a true fan experience. It's great to mingle in a bar, but you're there to watch a game live; why not just go somewhere to drink with the game on a TV?
Cutting back on all the extra booze and lounge atmospheres and giving fans more of a reason to show up (more giveaways, more fan interaction with players, special events etc.) would make fans feel like they aren't constantly asked to fork out hundreds of dollars and make a more memorable experience.
When I went to the games as a kid, I remember there was a distinct fan-focused attitude, where it was more about getting everyone in the game; way beyond a 'Go Leafs Go' chant. It felt authentic, not business-oriented.
It would be hard to as MLSE; a multi-billion dollar umbrella company, to simply take a huge hit on their bottom line.
But if you're going to want to keep the most dedicated fans, you're going to have to start somewhere.
| POLL | ||
MAI 24 | 596 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Front Office Plans Bold Offseason Strategy to Fix Troubling Home-Ice Problem How would you increase the fan atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena? | ||
| Slash Prices! | 413 | 69.3 % |
| More Fan Interaction | 84 | 14.1 % |
| More Giveaways | 34 | 5.7 % |
| Refund Fans Every Time Toronto Loses | 65 | 10.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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