With the exception of BMO, the Impact has little corporate support from sponsorshipsGETTY IMAGES
The Impact have a "young, enthusiastic fan base," but the team's "big challenge" is bringing a stronger corporate presence to Saputo Stadium, according to Stu Cowan of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. That was the "main message delivered" yesterday when MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Impact Owner Joey Saputo and team President & CEO Kevin Gilmore spoke at a Canadian Club of Montreal business luncheon. Gilmore said that the club has "yet to fully evolve from a business standpoint." He also said that with the "exception of key sponsors" like the Bank of Montreal, Videotron and Saputo Inc., he "doesn't see the corporate support from a sponsorship standpoint that he would expect from the Montreal market." Meanwhile, Gilmore, Saputo and Garber "all agree Saputo Stadium needs to be renovated to improve the game experience for fans and especially corporate clients while generating more revenue." Gilmore said that the "goal is to make Impact games 'big events' in the city, where fans want to arrive two or three hours before the start." Cowan noted currently, there "isn't much at Saputo Stadium to entice fans to arrive early" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 5/14).
SCHEDULING CONFLICT: The GAZETTE's Cowan noted Impact coach Remi Garde was "upset with the MLS schedule, which had the Impact playing three games in eight days." The team also has played 10 of their first 13 games on the road. Garber said, "The schedule is a challenge up here because of the weather and I think that's only going to get harder as our schedule continues to evolve and we start moving our opening games even earlier in the year." Garber added that he would "like to see a heated field installed at Saputo Stadium in the near future" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 5/14).
