Why is it that the Eskimos need to have like 50 00 fans at a game to not black the game out and sometimes more

Question

I can understand if there wasn't a cap and the Esks spent more on their players. Other cities that are bigger than Edmonton only need to have like 25000-30000 fans at a game to not black it out. I feel like us Esks fans are getting punished fo our passion. I mean Vancouver is twice the size of Edmonton, have had an amazing team the last few years and are lucky to get 25000 at a game. What a joke!

Answer 1

My understanding is, in the CFL, this is up to the team.  The Argos get 2/3 of the Jolly Roger Centre filled at best and yet still have all their games on television.  Not sure on the television rules the Leos have in Vancouver, though.

I could be wrong, but this is not league mandated and the team is doing it to Edmonton themselves.  I do understand the theory behind it...they can't see it on TV they are more likely to come to the game...however, in this age when the big TV dollar drives pro sports, I'm not sure if it is appropriate anymore.

Answer 2

who knows. i think it is just greed. in Saskatchewan it can be totally sold out and they still black it out. how rude is that. and i live 5 hours away not like i can run to every game. owners are greedy and the TV companies want us to pay more. paid preview.

Answer 3

From what I understand, if a game isn't sold out, then it's blacked out in local markets.  Since Commonwealth Stadium holds somewhere around 60 thousand people, it can have 50 thousand at a game, and still be blacked out, since not all the seats are filled.

When I was living in Calgary, the only home games they'd ever show on TV would be when the Eskies or the Riders were in town, because they wouldn't sell out otherwise.  Now that I'm out East, I haven't missed a Stamps game in the last couple years, since I don't hafta deal with blackouts anymore. I must say that I don't recall the Argos ever being blacked out, and they never come close to selling out the SkyDome, I mean, Rogers Centre.  Don't ask me how that works...

Answer 4

Edmonton gets way more fans because they are a popular team. They have won a ton of Grey Cups and can easily fill up in a big city.

BC is great now in Vancouver, but they don't have the history to compete with Edmonton. The Esks have 13 Grey Cups, BC has 5. Edmonton is easily better historically, if the Esks were in Vancouver, they would get more fans then they do right now.