For several years, the Alouettes and CF Montreal have been fighting for sports market share during the Canadiens’ off-season. That being said, right now, let’s say that the wave is on the side of CF Montreal.
Yes, it’s because of the performance of Wilfried Nancy’s men, but it’s also because the Alouettes aren’t helping themselves. Why? Because team leadership starts at the top of the pyramid.
And right now, at the top of the Alouettes’ pyramid, things could hardly be worse.
In 2019, after a long sale process, businessman Sid Spiegel and his son-in-law Gary Stern obtained the club. Even if there were interested among Quebec investors, it was Ontarians from the steel industry who got the club.
But a few months after buying 75% of the club, Mr Spiegel died. It was therefore Gary Stern who took control of the club and let’s say that his management style was criticized.
His many tweets, where he constantly promised victories to amateurs, were particularly badly perceived.
And then Monday, a dramatic change: Stern is no longer involved in the day-to-day activities of the club and he is no longer the club’s representative as governor with the league.
Clearly, his management style, as I said, was not unanimous. In an interview yesterday at TSN 690, Danny Maciocia, CEO and coach of the club, did not hide the fact that he did not like the way things were done by his boss.
Head coach and general manager of the @mtlalouettes, @dmaccoach joined @hunterzthompson, @AndieTSN and @TerryhaigHaig following the departure of Gary Stern. Here’s what he had to say when asked about Stern’s tweets.
Full interview: https://t.co/qS9AMCSf7W pic.twitter.com/FNzesVcTzV— TSN 690 Radio (@TSN690) August 31, 2022
This means that the club could be up for sale in the next few months. After all, between the succession of Mr. Spiegel and the departure of Mr. Stern, the club has no stability.
And it shows in the organization, from what I understand.
Yesterday, on the airwaves of BPM Sports, Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie raised the possibility of seeing the CH and the CF put their noses in the file to do as in Toronto, where MLSE has several clubs in town. Basically, besides the Blue Jays, the big Toronto teams belong to MLSE.
Would taking the Alouettes with the biggest clubs in town (if they’re interested) help the team? Certainly.
The full extract: https://t.co/VqJQlZODUk
— BPM Sports (@bpmsportsradio) August 30, 2022
After all, if the CH decides that it is necessary, for example, to buy season tickets from the Alouettes to help it get season tickets from the Canadiens, that can help the cause of the CFL football team.
It can also help to mop up some losses.
It could also be good for promoting the club. After all, right now, there is no connection to be made between an Ontario company that works in steel (the company of the current Alouettes owners) and Alouettes football.
If a local investor was there and doing cross linking between his various companies, it could help support the Alouettes.
From cross linkingfor those who are wondering, it’s as if Vincent Guzzo bought the club and promoted it in its cinemas and restaurants. The reverse is also true, by the way.
I give the example of Vincent Guzzo since the Quebec investor spoke about it himself this morning with JiC on BPM Sports.
@JiCLajoie spoke with potential former Alouettes buyer Vincent Guzzo.
The entrepreneur did not hesitate to explain the real reasons behind the abortion of the purchase of the team in 2019.
The full interview:https://t.co/gt1LgPZeNb
— BPM Sports (@bpmsportsradio) August 31, 2022
If he was in place, that’s what he would do and he believes that’s how the Alouettes’ future should unfold. That said, that’s not going to happen with him as long as CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie is in office.
In his interview, he couldn’t be clearer. He also shot at everything that moved, including the superintendent.
If the club is for sale soon and the league does not change its commissioner, who is very controversial, do not expect to see Mr. Guzzo in the portrait of the club. If there is a change of commissioner, he would be interested.
Why? Because in 2019, when he wanted to buy the Alouettes, he was played behind the back.
Basically, he says he was the favorite to buy the club and that the process was underway, but when he said he had no intention of working with Danny Maciocia, he got kicked out. by Commissioner, who eventually sold to Sid Spiegel and Gary Stern.
Why? Because Randy Ambroise and Danny Maciocia are good friends.
In the eyes of Mr. Guzzo, Maciocia is a man who “prefers glamor to the health of his team” and he does not want to work with a man who is a control freak in this way.
I imagine he’s not a fan of the Vernon Adam Jr. trade to the Lions. After all, Adams Jr. was always the guy for former trainer Khari Jones (who lost his job a few weeks ago) and Maciocia, who took his place as driver, always preferred Trevor Harris. It is also said that Gary Stern was opposed to such a transaction.
It is done. Vernon Adams Jr. moves to BC Lions. Still pending return, but could be considered a 1st round pick. #AlsMTL https://t.co/ckXAKqsU2x
— Renaud Bourbonnais (@RenBourbon) August 31, 2022
For these reasons, as long as the current commissioner is in office and the Alouettes will be treated as a “sports jewel” by the owners, it will not work.
And in the eyes of Vincent Guzzo, the Alouettes are currently in the possession of a guy who simply wants to brag about having a football club and not a guy who wants to advance the club.
In two days, the Alouettes will be in action at home against the Ottawa Redblacks. I can’t wait to see how the club, which also has to manage the controversy involving Christophe Normand, will react.
I’m also looking forward to seeing how fans and journalists on the beatincluding my radio colleague Renaud Bourbonnais, will analyze everything for us in the coming days.
A lot of
– Problem in sight in Atlanta?
The Braves and the player have to hope he’s at least in great shape for the playoffs. https://t.co/Zaord6IEXh
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 31, 2022
– PK Subban with the Bruins? [HF]
– Michel Bergeron does not want to see CH finish last. [98.5]
– To monitor.
Penny Oleksiak operated on for knee injuryhttps://t.co/lmXnZmrewK
— RDS (@RDSca) August 31, 2022