So Blue Jays fans are idiots for not showing up when the team sucks yet, according to some--I don't know if you're one of them--sports pundits, Maple Leafs fans are idiots for showing up when the team sucks.

That's how Toronto is for baseball, basketball, and football.

Hockey's another story.

(And I look up and see McClelland has said the same thing.)

Trouble with baseball in Toronto is the stadium. It isn't fun to go to.

Trouble is they are fickle, needing to be world classy. If you don't show up for the team when it sucks you are not a fan. Its the whole point of the love relationship. You need to be in their thrall.

Which is why Toronto can only be considered a hockey town.

Which means it is not a sports town.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans should see it as an insult - or at least a reality check. Professional sports are pure entertainment. Who would continue to spend money to go and see productions from a theater company that continuously sucked???

Discriminating fans are a healthy evolutionary force for the Jays and something TML-rex sorely needs.

The fan argument does not wash for me when presented with the uber-high ticket and merchandising costs. Professional teams want you to think they need fans when really they just need repeat customers.

I was going to write that nirvana lies in the happy medium between the extremes of mindless "fan" and capitalist "customer" but on second thought I think a lean towards the customer is a good thing to keep the "fans" interests front of mind with those who are paid very well to manage and play professional sports.

I can only take seriously the opinions of people who hold good yard sales.

Touche

From a strict consumer standpoint PofK is correct, a failing product should receive fewer sales and lower revenue. And that's how I used to look at sports fandom, generally.

And I don't disagree with the argument that its remarkably consistent and solid fan base (and associated revenue stream) has saved MLSE from having to be more austere and sober in their judgment.

But at the end of the day I have to agree with Alan. Sports fandom is more than a simple product evaluation or value proposition. In its most idealised form there is an element of faith to it; a belief that—whatever present circumstance—if everyone pulls together even the lousiest team with a 40-year losing streak can turn it around and be a prize-winning contender.

Personally I think it best if a team has a fan base that is a good mix of the two, enough solid believers to keep it alive in through a few years of slump and difficult times, but enough value-seekers to send a message that, with better front-office decisions, the revenue stream might be even greater.

But of the two, I don't think there's any question that the "true believer" fan comes closer to experiencing the essence of sport. Always striving, hoping, persevering, et cetera.

I win!!!

Regardless, I remain a true fan of my daughter's hockey team and an infrequent customer of professional sportainment. One needs my support the other my $$.

Correction: one needs my support and my $$ and the other just the $$.