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Strange Love: The Plight of a Maple Leafs Fan

April 26, 2011 8:00 am

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Despite all the money and support, Toronto fans get no return on their love.

Loving the Leafs is tough

By: Zack Larmand, staff writer

The final NHL regulation game against the Montreal Canadiens marked the season’s end of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their failure to get into this year’s playoffs is a major disappointment to all Leafs fans.

In 2010 Forbes magazine valued the team at $505 million. This is far beyond the value of other teams.

May 4, 2004 was the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs were in the playoffs, and 1967 was when they last won the Stanley Cup. It is now 2011 and many things have changed in the NHL. The Leafs’ losing streak is not one of them.

Another constant is the team’s prolific fan base, centered in the city of Toronto. Fans discuss and analyze every single Leafs game, every player’s statistic. They even keep a close eye on the farm team for new young talent. Leafs fans are among the most devoted and loyal fans in the league.

Toronto Maple Leafs Dion Phaneuf

Flickr by Bridget Samuels 2011

This devotion and loyalty pays off, monetarily at least. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most profitable team in the NHL. In 2010 Forbes magazine valued the team at $505 million. This is far beyond the value of other teams: Dallas Stars, at $227 million, were tenth on the list, while a few other teams came in under $150 million.

Are these devoted fans getting true value for their timeless support and countless purchases?

Missing the playoffs for the sixth year in a row shows an inability to play competitively against the other teams in the league, let alone take a stab at the Stanley Cup. And since these losses on the ice seem to have no link to the franchise’s profitability, the business of the Maple Leafs is a very unique business indeed.

In all reality, it is very difficult for a fan base to alter the on-ice product. Taking away actual fan support could send a strong message, though its doubtful such a message would change the team into NHL champions. When it comes to professional sports, consumer control has its limits – and the Toronto Maple Leafs are certainly a testament to that.

By: Zack Larmand, staff writer

 

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