Cashing in on Leaf drama
I'm slightly confused as to the Leafs most recent trade, which included the now suspended, forward Mark Bell. As far as the media is concerned, he was foisted on the team by the Sharks in an ‘It's him and Toskala or no Toskala at all' situation.
But I have an alternative theory: the press.
In Toronto there's nothing more important than knowing what the Leafs are doing all the time. I mean let's face it, there's LeafsTV which is 24-hour Maple Leafs broadcasting for the hardcore hockey fan who has nothing better to do than watch game re-runs in July (Next, Carlton vs. Youppi Cage Match part III: Youppi's Revenge!).
The second biggest form of entertainment, and this isn't limited to T-Dot, seems to be reality television. There's the “Amazing Race,” “Big Brother,” the “Bachelor,” “Survivor,” so no matter what you crave, I'll bet there's a reality show that deals with it.
So let's take this Mark Bell situation, what with his impending trip to prison on hit and run charges, this situation combines the best of both worlds so to speak. The LeafsTV crew can follow him night and day, document his hockey preparations, team trips and prison-related nightmares. It's exactly what the public wants to see! And more importantly, it would give Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment a chance to grab even more headlines and maybe even an opportunity to launch a second all Maple Leafs channel.
At the very least it can't be worse than last years special program where Leafs fans watched the teams' current goon, Wade Belak, and his petite wife fumble through dancing lessons (if you were lucky enough to miss it the first time around and feel the need to put yourself through the agony, it should still be posted on mapleleafs.com).
I'm starting to think we're a country of voyeurs, myself included. I mean, to be completely honest with you, I'm just as bad as everyone else when it comes to reading up on the team. How can you not be fascinated with the ongoing soap opera? (This year on ‘As the Leafs Fall'…)
Watching Shayne Corson walk out in the playoffs, Tie Domi's numerous love affairs (WHAT were the women thinking?), Alex Steens' marriage. It all made the front page of the sports section because WE wanted to read it.
If there is some good news about the Mark Bell ‘situation' it's that we now have someone in-house who can take care of our player problems. If Raycroft isn't playing well, we'll just put him in sight when Bell's behind the wheel. What are a few extra months on his term if it brings the Leafs one step closer to a playoff berth?
But I have an alternative theory: the press.
In Toronto there's nothing more important than knowing what the Leafs are doing all the time. I mean let's face it, there's LeafsTV which is 24-hour Maple Leafs broadcasting for the hardcore hockey fan who has nothing better to do than watch game re-runs in July (Next, Carlton vs. Youppi Cage Match part III: Youppi's Revenge!).
The second biggest form of entertainment, and this isn't limited to T-Dot, seems to be reality television. There's the “Amazing Race,” “Big Brother,” the “Bachelor,” “Survivor,” so no matter what you crave, I'll bet there's a reality show that deals with it.
So let's take this Mark Bell situation, what with his impending trip to prison on hit and run charges, this situation combines the best of both worlds so to speak. The LeafsTV crew can follow him night and day, document his hockey preparations, team trips and prison-related nightmares. It's exactly what the public wants to see! And more importantly, it would give Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment a chance to grab even more headlines and maybe even an opportunity to launch a second all Maple Leafs channel.
At the very least it can't be worse than last years special program where Leafs fans watched the teams' current goon, Wade Belak, and his petite wife fumble through dancing lessons (if you were lucky enough to miss it the first time around and feel the need to put yourself through the agony, it should still be posted on mapleleafs.com).
I'm starting to think we're a country of voyeurs, myself included. I mean, to be completely honest with you, I'm just as bad as everyone else when it comes to reading up on the team. How can you not be fascinated with the ongoing soap opera? (This year on ‘As the Leafs Fall'…)
Watching Shayne Corson walk out in the playoffs, Tie Domi's numerous love affairs (WHAT were the women thinking?), Alex Steens' marriage. It all made the front page of the sports section because WE wanted to read it.
If there is some good news about the Mark Bell ‘situation' it's that we now have someone in-house who can take care of our player problems. If Raycroft isn't playing well, we'll just put him in sight when Bell's behind the wheel. What are a few extra months on his term if it brings the Leafs one step closer to a playoff berth?
