Maas, Ranek. Jones, Taff, Printers, Johnson, Glenn, Baggs, Cobourne, Burris, Fantuz… and so on.
Since purchasing the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 2003, owner Bob Young has provided the team with strong off-field financial stability. The front office has worked hard to promote the team and increase its brand both in Hamilton and the surrounding area. Also, the team has attempted to maximize profits by partnering with Arcelor Mittal to install Ivor Wynne Stadium’s first video board several seasons ago, and created corporate tents from the in-stadium grass that wasn’t doing much of anything. The team has worked hard to increase its season ticket base and introduced perks like a ticket exchange policy for holders that cannot make all games. Really, I applaud them from a business stand-point. But their one aspect that prevents the business from being a resounding success.
Regarding on-field talent, Bob Young has not been afraid to spend money to produce a winning team. The Tiger-Cats have had a seemingly endless parade of acquisitions in each of the last 10 seasons, including the ones aforementioned. During each off-season since 2003, they have made several changes both on and off the field that get fans like me excited for the upcoming season, hoping against all hope that this year might just be “the one”. Hell, at this point just give me some meaningful November football!
But the Tiger-Cats have only had one winning season since Bob Young purchased the team in 2003 – they were 9-8-1 in 2004. They have had two .500 seasons and the others have been spent in the basement.
I really thought 2012 was going to be different with acquiring quarterback Henry Burris and wide receiver Andy Fantuz. Both have experienced winning in the CFL, each hoisting a Grey Cup. But currently in 2012 the Cats sit with a 3-7 record and have lost 5-straight, and those aspirations are slowly dissipating.
I really don’t get it. I’m starting to think and wonder if my favourite football team is cursed right now. There’s no bambino, no goat, but maybe there is something that I’ve missed that might explain this perpetual losing way of life in Hamilton. Bob Young is a great guy, and an awesome owner. He really has tried to make the Cats a successful team. He hires football-minded people, let’s them make decisions and doesn’t interfere a la Jerry Jones.
Oftentimes in sports when owners, like Bob Young, run teams using this “hands off” model, it usually leads to results on the playing surface. What’s really frustrating is the team I hate the most down the QEW, the Argos, had the league help arrange a trade for them to get a quarterback, and haven’t made as much of an effort as Hamilton has to build a winner, yet currently are sitting in second place at 6-4. It doesn’t make sense to me.
Also several coaches, like Kavis Reed and Paul LaPolice, struggled as assistants with this team. Reed is now seeing success as the Edmonton Eskimos’ Head Coach and LaPolice lead Winnipeg to a Grey Cup appearance last season.
The Cats have made a great effort to build a winning team. But why hasn’t it lead to results on the field? To borrow my own metaphor, is the constant parade of coaches and players to blame for their futility? Maybe it’s not so much the players, but the fact that the high turnover has resulted in an unstable franchise?
I would love to hear from you, CFL fans, not just Ti-Cats fans. What is at the root of his unnecessary evil? Please post your comments below.
