Mail call

McKeon's mailbag, January 14:

I believe the problem has to do with economics. The Leafs sell out every home game, get a ton of money from sales of anything with their logo, have millions from television revenue and no doubt get some generous tax breaks from the government. No wonder they are worth upwards of $400 million. What incentive can there be for management to make them a winner?

Jim Cashman
Chicago


Ownership feels pressure to produce a winner because a) they're huge Maple Leaf fans themselves; b) they're used to achieving success or they wouldn't have risen to that status; and c) they want to be liked and not hated around Toronto.

a) Really? You really think that? The Leafs are owned by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment LLD (MLSE), who also own Toronto's NBA team, AHL affiliate, and MLS team. Are they fans of all those teams, too? Every single person in any power position in MLSE is a Leafs fan? And you can't possibly be talking about GM John Ferguson, who is from Montreal. Head coach is from Quebuc, I guess... but that's definitely not ownership. So... you sure about that one?

b) The Leafs' last Cup was in 1966-1967. The last Division Championship was 99-00, but before that they were division-less since the 30s. And they haven't won anything since. They haven't made the playoffs post-lockout. So... how are any guys anywhere near this team right now, 'Used to success?'

c) Call me nitpick-y, but I'm disinclined to think the people profiting from this give too much about what the Leafs fans think about them personally.

Do you actually think the Leafs are the Yankees of hockey? Try the Montreal Canadiens, they are the only thing close.

Dale Parks
Trenton, Ontario

We'll give you that one in terms of titles won: Canadiens champs 24 times, Yankees with 26 and Leafs with 13 Cups. But Toronto has more of a countrywide following in Canada than Montreal.

We? Who is, 'We?' It takes multiple people to put together three completely inaccurate sentences? At that... it's actually pretty crazy the Habs are anywhere close to the Yankees in terms of titles won, considering the Yankees had a 16-year head start. This is ignoring the sheer stupidity of trying to denote any team, 'The Yankees of Sport X.' And, as far as 'more of a countrywide following' is concerned... just because ESPN loves a team doesn't make them the most popular. I'm disinclined to research this, but I wonder who the Leafs of baseball are... which baseball team actually has the most fans nationwide (or if the Leafs actually have the biggest Canadian following).

Ehh. Mildly satisfying.