In The Dog House
by Steven Ratson
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Kramer, you’re banned! I’m banned? Yeah, that’s right, banned!
February 14, 2010 -
The tradition of Festivus begins with the Airing of Grievances!
January 27, 2010 -
Oh, it's got cachet, baby! It's got cachet up the ying-yang!
January 9, 2010
Who Does Not Want To Wear The Yellow Ribbon?
Author: Steven Ratson
November 24, 2009
In The Dog House, Steven Ratson's Blog, is sponsored by River City Sports, an online distributor of jerseys, clothing, and other memorabilia for teams in the NHL, IHL, AHL, and international teams. www.rivercitysports.com
Who, who does not want to wear the yellow ribbon? Who, who are these corporate sponsors of the Bombers who are threatening to pull their financial support if Mike Kelly does not get fired?
The mainstream media in Winnipeg have reported over the last few weeks about the pressure the Bombers' Board of Directors are dealing with from some of the team’s sponsors. I would like to know who these sponsors are, and even more interestingly, just who they think they are.
Why do these businesses support the Bombers in the first place? Whether it be purely giving back to the community, making the city a better place to live, or, as frightening as it may be to believe in this town, they might actually receive brand awareness, {all are very admiral justifications}, what gives them the right to enforce their ego on the management of the football operations?
Do they think they hold some kind of schlep because they think they are big shooters and since it’s a community owned team, feel like they should have a say? Do they have some kind of buyer’s remorse for supporting the team financially but not receiving any identifiable business benefits, or probably more of the case, personal accolades for their contributions?
Have they ever played football and do they know anything about the game? I for one would go to war for Mike Kelly, and want him as a leader in my bunker. He does not call out his players, he does call it like he sees it, and when he is asked a stupid question, he shows real emotion and does not give the usual boring stock answer that most interviewees in sports give that could very often be exchanged for any question that is asked of them.
Come forward oh so important business people. Put your mouth where your money is and let Winnipeg football fans know what your position is. Take a stand. Oh I know, it is very hard to do, what with people being so important and very busy these days. Most people don’t have the strength, courage and conviction to show true feelings, for pray tell what would the ramifications be?
No, they will continue with their little rhetoric campaign from afar, and while they are whining for how Mike Kelly has conducted himself in trying to kick start this team into a winner and be an agent of change for prevailing attitudes, and, they are important enough to get the attention of the Bombers' Board, they are apparently not brave enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves, like, oh, Mike Kelly does.
Who are these corporate sponsors? Good question. I dare to ask, do they dare to answer? Do they have the guts to wear the yellow ribbon?
Comments
Posted by Jim on 2009-11-30 10:12:37
WOW, do I ever agree with you!!
Posted by Mikey on 2009-12-05 19:48:27
We should all be as true to ourselves as Mike Kelly. Like Kramer, who felt no need to wear the ribbon, Coach Mike follows his heart.
Posted by Bear on 2009-11-27 08:45:20
You, SIR, are right on the mark! The media (read CJOB & Free Press) has to get over this story, it's getting tired! I for one do not appreciate that they are continually expressing their views and instigating in the hope that they can exact change rather than just reporting the facts. Yes this is a storyline that evokes much interest and emotion and it certainly has kept the Bombers front and center in the media. (say that is a huge benefit, just how much extra coverage have the Bombers received? I'll venture they have more print and radio coverage by double over 2008) Just remember media folks are not coaches or players so they do not speak from positions of authority, they just know media and how to try to keep audiences interested in their work. Mike's record is solid, he got rid of the malcontents and rebuilt a boring predictable team that is just one or two players away from being a very solid contender. Yes he annoyed some fans and certainly was a burr under the saddle for most media pundits but who cares. His record in year one is respectable. (Disgruntled fans - are you taking us down the "Jets" road here? You would not support them and now we are on the outside looking in, maybe we deserve the same fate for the Blue) As for these "Business" types who are pressuring the board to act, here's a thought "Stick to what you know!" because you don't know football. Step forward and identify yourselves to the public if you want to state your opinions, don't do it behind closed doors in the old "boy's club" manner. Mike's the Man in 2010! Out! I for one will not buy Bomber tickets if Mike is removed as coach.