*** NOTE: THE MAPLE LEAFS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEIR PRIVATE BOX AT TEXAS STADIUM NEXT THURSDAY WILL NOT COST $50,000, BUT CLOSER TO $25,000***
TORONTO (Nov. 16) -- If you are feeling sorry for your favorite hockey players here in Leaf-land, you might want to hold your sympathy for a moment. The image of the Leafs being somehow punished for their mediocre play so far this season -- or being ignored out of embarrassment by their filthy-rich proprietors -- is fiction. It would probably happen to you or I if we were similary floundering in our jobs. Chances are, the bosses wouldn't be asking us to go to lunch at the snazziest cafe in town. The Leafs, however, operate in a different universe than we can possibly imagine. No matter how dreadfully they play, it is nigh impossible for the players to sully the reputation of the company that owns the hockey club, or to sully their own reputations among those who write the cheques. In fact, we can go so far as suggesting that failure is rewarded.
Case in point is next Thursday afternoon, in Dallas. The Maple Leafs will be in the Texas city to play the Stars on Friday night, before moving on to Phoenix for a Saturday encounter with the Coyotes. Thursday just happens to fall on the day of the American Thanksgiving. And, in Dallas -- on Thanksgiving -- there is a football game every year. This year, the NFL's Dallas Cowboys will host the New York Jets in a nationally televised game that begins at 3:15 p.m. When I noticed the coincidence in the hockey and football schedules back in July, I went on-line and spent $144 for a ticket to the Cowboys-Jets game. I've driven past storied Texas Stadium on a number of occasions but have never seen an event there. And, the Cowboys are moving to their new digs in Arlington after the current season. So, it was first chance, and last chance, for me. That's why I dented the Visa card to such an extent; the $144 gets me a seat on the 45-yard of the upper deck, above the Cowboys' bench. Pretty good location, I'm told.
Now, back to the millionaires that wear blue and white for your pleasure (agony?) two or three times a week. Just in case Leaf players and management was interested in attending the same Cowboys-Jets match, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has leased a private luxury suite at Texas Stadium for close to $25,000. It'll get the folks from Bay Street a nice view of the field, some free beer, and undoubtedly a whole slew of those weenie-wraps that people gorge on when the hors d'oeuvres are passed around. If the Leafs are unable to defeat Ottawa and/or Boston in their next two starts, they will fly to Dallas on the heels of a five-game winless streak, and with one victory in seven games. For that, they'll be feted with the luxuries of Texas Stadium.
It makes you wonder what the owners would have done had the Leafs been tearing it up. Might MLSE have negotiated to buy the whole shooting match from Jerry Jones -- football team, stadium, and practice facility all rolled into one? Would the company have arranged for John Ferguson to perform the ceremonial kickoff before the game? Might Paul Maurice have been invited to head down to the sidelines and share inspirational secrets with Wade Phillips? Perhaps Tony Romo could have polished his accuracy in a chat with Alex Steen. Or Matt Stajan. Or Jason Blake.
As it is, the loveable losers will have to settle for a cushy spot above the playing field. It's not that MLSE can't afford to spend Jerry Jones under the table. It's more of a time factor. After all, that condominium on the west side of the Air Canada Centre needs attending to.
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