The CFL's second annual trip down east for a feed of Lobster and little bit of football was strong on buzz, but for the first time came up a little short at the turnstile, as Atlantic Canadians came to Moncton Stadium for the Stamps and Tiger Cats, but left a few patches of unsold seats to temper all the exuberance of festival week of football.
CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon attributed some of those empty spaces to a miscommunication/computer glitch, where locals were under the impression that the game had been sold out weeks ago. The Commissioner also pointed out that the unsold seats were in the end zones, where football fans are less likely to want to shell out cash, true enough, but in a stadium where only about 10,000 seats are between the goal lines, those 10,000 or so end zone seats are the difference in gate receipts.
Even with the empty seats in Moncton however, the Cats and Stamps still outdrew the Argonauts at Rogers Centre, something that no doubt is of a more pressing concern to the CFL, while they continue to try to expand the brand across the country, they still struggle to hold on to and boost the importance of the game in the media and population leader of the nation.
At the end of the weekend we imagine that the CFL isn't particularly concerned about the shortfall of a few hundred seats of the temporary expansion of Moncton Stadium, the Touchdown Atlantic roadshow is really more of an image statement for the league, bringing the Canadian game from coast to coast, testing the waters and all of that. But for the Moncton organizers, having an attendance slip in just the second event, probably opens the door a crack for Halifax or Quebec City to seek out some space as a potential eastern book end for the CFL's dream of a tenth franchise.
The atmosphere through the week was akin to a mini Grey Cup Festival, one which the two participants are more hands on involved in the festivities than during a Grey Cup Week. Both the Stamps and Tiger Cats made public appearances, held football clinics and talked with local students, fans and amateur football players, a fine bit of CFL public relations which the league should be thankful for.
The game itself, was a bit of a blow out by the end, the Tiger Cats seemingly more at home in Moncton than the Stamps (then again the Stamps have had troubles of their own at McMahon, so perhaps they were "too at home" down east). In the end, Hamilton took the two points and put on the showcase display with Kevin Glenn and Marcus Thigpen wowing the 20,153 in attendance on Sunday.
Commissioner Cohon was non committal about a Touchdown Atlantic III next year, suggesting that the centennial celebrations of the CFL may make the logistics of a Moncton show hard to pull together. He offered up a hope to local organizers that the 2013 season may see a few games of the wandering Tiger Cats on the schedule, Hamilton destined to be homeless for a year while Ivor Wynne Stadium is renovated, but he did add that would be the decision of the Tiger Cats.
Some of the success of the Touchdown Atlantic template however may work against a return visit to Moncton in the near future, there are a number of cities across Canada that may wish to test the waters of hosting a CFL game and perhaps in the future a CFL franchise.
As mentioned, Halifax is always on a list of potential sites, as is the football mad region of Quebec's capital city, other potentials hosts and test sites could be London, Ontario, Windsor, Ontario, and Kelowna or Victoria, British Columbia.
Part of the legacy of the Touchdown Atlantic festivals could be that the thirst for CFL football is growing in other communities. Moncton may have been the first in the line up, but as the prospect of CFL expansion grows over the next few years, they may find that their success has added to the competitive pool of applicants.
A delicate balance of community relations for the Commissioner, but most likely a welcome one as the CFL seeks to increase the importance of its brand across the country.
Some of the reviews of the Touchdown Atlantic festivities and the lead up to this weekends Atlantic visit can be found below.
September 29-- Atlantic CFL expansion a tricky play
September 28-- McCain offers views on Atlantic CFL franchise
September 28-- Metro CFL game outdrew tilt at Rogers Centre
September 27-- Hufnagel no fan of Stamps' game film
September 27-- Moncton film like a Stamps horror show
September 27-- On the way home
September 27-- CFL might skip Touchdown Atlantic in 2012
September 27-- Moncton eyes the next big event
September 26-- Moncton enhances their CFL reputation
September 26-- CFL's Touchdown Atlantic has winning formula
September 26-- Red Alert in Calgary
September 26-- Same old mistakes as Ticats score at will against Stamps
September 26-- Touchdown Atlantic has fan in Kevin Glenn
September 26-- Calgary defence suffers meltdown
September 26-- CFL alumni enjoy weekend football festivities
September 26-- Ticats pummel Stampeders in Moncton
September 26-- Non-sellout for CFL game not alarming
September 26-- Moncton makes another great CFL impression
September 26-- Moncton Stadium becomes Ti-Cat Thigpen's playpen
September 26-- Football fans praise Metro Moncton hospitality
September 26-- Families, football fans cram onto Main Street for food, games and more
September 26-- CFL is Moncton's and Canada's game
September 26-- Football fans say Hub City needs a CFL team
September 26-- Thigpen shows his love for Moncton with big game in Ticat
September 26-- Touchdown Atlantic sideshow, story links and the Box J Boys
September 26-- Moncton pulls off football feat
September 26-- Diehards revel to see their favourites
September 26-- Comments cast doubt on 2012 game
September 25-- Thigpen's three TDs power Ticats
September 25-- Tiger Cats rout Stamps in Moncton
September 25-- Ticats vs Stamps TD Atlantic Twitter feed
September 25-- Ticats WR Marcus Thigpen puts "touchdown" in Touchdown Atlantic...
September 25-- Ticats Thigpen eats up seafood, then Stamps and the future of TD Atlantic
September 25-- 360 degree view of University of Moncton Stadium
September 25-- Dispatches from Moncton ahead of Ticats vs Stampeders
September 25-- The stands weren't full, but there was a lot to be praised
September 25-- Measuring the Maritimes
September 25-- Maritime sojourn to test focus of Stamps
September 25-- Moncton faces big hurdles, despite grassroots support
September 25-- Talley eager to provide returns in Moncton
September 25-- Stamps bring stockpile of equipment to Moncton
September 25-- Ticats, Stamps touch down in Moncton
September 24-- Metro singer will belt out O Canada at Touchdown Atlantic
September 24-- Ambulance N. B. ready for Touchdown Atlantic
September 24-- Stamps running back may miss game
September 24-- Stamps hope to be seeing red
September 24-- Getting yourself to the big game
September 24-- Sloan to rock Moncton tonight
September 24-- Another touchdown for Metro Moncton
September 24-- Ticats make changes ahead of title with Stampeders and dispatches from TD Atlantic
September 24-- Ticats will adjust to new Stamps rushing attack
September 24-- Ticats-Stampeders Gameday
September 24-- Shoe will be different for Stamps, Ticats
September 23-- Desire is definitely there for a CFL team on East Coast
September 23-- Update from Ticats practice in Moncton
September 23-- TD Atlantic success has Moncton keen for more Ticats action
September 23-- Burris loves his lobster
September 23-- CFL ponders Maritime future
September 23-- Personal Touchdown Atlantic cheering section for Calgarian
September 23-- Angelo Mosca in town for CFL fun
September 23-- Get to know your CFL stars
September 22-- Touchdown Atlantic a big deal - Conn
September 22-- The Ticats vs Stampeders match up as Tim Horton's art
September 22-- Stampeders president impressed with stadium, sight lines
September 22-- Stamps, Ticats making the most of Moncton
September 22-- Former Mountie eager to play in Moncton
September 22-- Stamps in Metro
September 22-- Stamps receiver ain't fishing for grub
September 22-- Moncton gears up for Touchdown Atlantic II
September 22-- Stampeders practice in Moncton ahead of Sunday's match up vs. Ticats
September 22-- Stevie Baggs in Moncton lobby
September 22-- Stamps call in practice "recruits"
September 21-- Busy week ahead for Stamps in Moncton
September 21-- Will the grass be greener for Ticats in Moncton?
September 21-- Home away from home has happened before for Ticats
September 21-- Tasty treat for Stamps
September 21-- Ticats hope to get back on track in Moncton
September 20-- Stamps prepare for Moncton game
August 7-- Halifax can't afford to drop ball on stadium
June 30-- Commissioner Cohon on the state of the CFL
February 24-- Opportune time for CFL expansion: PA boss
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