The Toronto Argonauts in the wake of their Grey Cup win on Sunday are "determined to seize the opportunity" and improve upon what is a CFL-worst attendance figure, according to Rachel Brady of the GLOBE & MAIL. The franchise "didn't capitalize" after winning in '12. Argos GM Jim Popp said, "If you're not a believer, start believing. If you haven't joined our family yet, we welcome you." Brady notes the team yesterday held a "celebration rally with a healthy crowd of supporters," as Nathan Philips Square was about "three-quarters full, and the fans even lined the large archway that overlooks the space in front of Toronto City Hall." The team's business and marketing departments "will be very busy this off-season." Club execs said that the Grey Cup trophy will be "highly visible around Toronto," as material "compiled from the team's run through the past two weeks ... is invaluable sales material." Argos Senior VP/Business Operations Sara Moore said, "We've got the right owners, the right building and a championship team now, but even all of that is not enough. We know we've got to really go hard in this market." She added, "There will be no off-season for us. We're on the phones as of this afternoon selling tickets." The team said that they will be doing "lots of off-season outreach." Brady notes it is "no easy task while competing against the likes of the Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs in a city with a vibrant entertainment scene." When asked if the Argos expect a bump in ticket sales, Moore said, "Unequivocally, yes" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/29). In Toronto, Steve Simmons notes Mayor John Tory yesterday "advised the crowd at City Hall" to go home and buy Argos tickets (TORONTO SUN, 11/29).
WE OWE YOU AN APOLOGY: In Toronto, Doug Smith writes if the Argos are "serious about making even any kind of inroads into the market," they need to "comb the archives for every e-mail of every season ticket holder they’ve had and lost in the last decade and they need to reach out to them and see if they can get them back." If it takes some "groveling and apologizing for a horrid lack of marketing in the past, do it." The Argos need to "reach out to everyone they can that bought a single game ticket this season and send them in a link to a YouTube highlight reel they put together." The team’s sales staff has to be "capitalizing on the moment." Waiting makes "no sense," as there is "some momentum right now and they will regret it if they procrastinate until next year and next spring" (TORONTO STAR, 11/28).
