It's telling that when certain key highlights in Jays' history get replayed, it's almost always from the radio broadcast.

Think of Tom Cheek's classic "Touch 'em all Joe!" call as the Jays won their second World Series title. I've seen the pictures, but I can't recall ever hearing the TV audio of that iconic moment. Even the team's official video commemorating the event used the Cheek version. 

That says everything you need to know. 

You're right in hindsight, but I still believe Cheek's call would have usurped them all. It was one of those "for the ages" moments. In fact, most baseball classic moments often seem to use the hometown radio announcers. As has been noted here by many, TV and radio coverage are totally different animals. 

My worry is that, as Rogers penny pinches in their usual way, other teams or stations may see this as a belt tightening measure that could strengthen their bottom lines - while weakening one of the best parts of the game.  

Joe Bowen weighs in. Perhaps he's afraid this might just be the future of sports on radio.

paterson1 wrote:

I wonder if Rogers is actually getting ready to put the Jays up for sale.  The team likely doesn't generate much money, or even a loss for them, the overhead is huge and mostly in US dollars.  Rumours of them tearing down the dome and building a smaller stadium with grass and building condos on the remaining land would solve part of that problem.

Rogers Centre would be a big roadblock for anyone who was interested in buying the team.  If Rogers built a new more conventional stadium would help to make the team more appealing and easier to sell.

Rogers controlling the broadcast rights may have made sense years ago, but this again doesn't make money for them, with ad revenues in the tank.  If Rogers sold the team it would open up bidding for broadcast rights and again this would be more appealing for a new owner. 

A Rogers executive said about a year ago that the Jay's were not part of their core business.  When any of the suits at head office say things like that, look out.  Changes are a comin'. It is a shame however that they decided to have no radio broadcast play by play this year.  Short sighted move in my opinion, and a further sign that they have checked out as owners of the Jays.

I don't know if a sale makes sense.  In an ordinary year the Jays fill 162 afternoons and evenings on four TV channels and several Rogers radio stations, plus network ad revenue on about a dozen other stations across the country.
 

Last edited by Prod Guy (February 28, 2021 7:30 pm)

Prod Guy wrote:

I don't know if a sale makes sense.  In an ordinary year the Jays fill 162 afternoons and evenings on four TV channels and several Rogers radio stations, plus network ad revenue on about a dozen other stations across the country.
 

I think A sale while they appear to be profitable would be smart. 
There may be some hidden costs eating away at the bottom line, Rogers centre upkeep and all.

Rumours of a sale actually started back in 2017.
Also, there were those OTHER rumours of Rogers simply wanting to sell naming rights of the Rogers centre...what ever happened to that idea anyway?  
https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2017/10/29/16567956/toronto-blue-jaysrogers-considering-selling-naming-rights-to-rogers-centre