Esks Schedule

[Esks4ever]

Peanuts cuz of allergy.. I still dont buy that.. I'd be willing to bet they dont like the mess the shells leave behind.

The whole entire game is catered to the "blue Hairs" as are alot of the rules. The Blue hairs want all the fun sucked outta the game so its like them sitting at home infront of the TV knitting...


U can't have fun, you'll upset the blue hairs.. No ecessive cheering you'll upset the blue hairs...


Untill the Esks realize that they need to cater to fans other than the blue hairs the game experience will suffer big time.

[stamphater]

When was the last time the Esks have had home games on Sundays. It seems its been a while.

[gizmo fan 2]

When was the last time the Esks have had home games on Sundays. It seems its been a while.

That one I can answer (good job on the other back-to-back record post, Opus, I've been in the mountains without computer so I didn't get to it ).

Our last Sunday home games were in 2004, with two of 'em (Aug 29 vs OTT (57-16 W), Oct 24 vs WPG (40-34 W)).


As for the rest of this......I echo what has already been said by so many. I was so stoked to actually see the sched out that I didn't actually take a look at it closely...but now that I have, I'm pretty pissed. I didn't think it could actually be worse than last year...I was wrong.

Positives:
-Pre-season away game in Calgary - if work cooperates, hopefully that won't be a game I have to catch on radio.
-7 of 10 home games are pretty much guaranteed to be non-snow. Granted, it'll probably rain.
-Spreading the SSK games out. One early, one middle, one late. That's how it should be done. They did okay with CGY, too (would rather have it late than early, but okay). BC needs to be spread out more, though.


Negatives:
-SIX home-and-homes (including SSK pre-season/opener). There should be a MAX of three, and they should all be divisional. Seeing Toronto twice in July and then being done with them sucks. We don't even play WPG until the last third of the season.
-Thursday night late starts. Now, I don't mind Thursday night games all that much. But an 8:00 start? That sure takes out any post-game stuff. And I've had trouble filling my other ticket in the past due to busy nights and cancellations and such...guaranteed it'll be tough for me with those late starts. Lots of "Dude, 8? I gotta work tomorrow morning!"
-Not seeing anyone other than CGY/SSK till Jul 10.
-Nothing but home-and-homes vs BC.
-Halloween? Are you kidding? Way to draw 20k for that one.
-5 out of last 8 non-divisional.

Neutrals:
-Shorter rests. LD is tradition. The rest aren't THAT bad - Sunday to Friday isn't horrible. They're all out East, so the team probably won't fly home in between, which will help. And the first games are all afternoon games - if the team is smart, they'll get everyone flown out and in the next city by that night, which should help, too. They aren't exactly prime, but I don't think they'll be as bad as some think.


I'm happy it's out, but I'm not enthused at all about it, really.

[Swivel Hips]

I guess we will see if they are really in touch with the wishes of fans.

Hey, Swival, did this come up at all in the meeting you went to?

Yes, Uncle Bobby, it did come up at the Fan Forum. LeLacheur did say that a significant number of season ticket holders did not want Friday night or weekend games during the summer because they wanted to go to the cottage, me NOT included, by the way.

However, he also said that he would "not accept" 8:00 p.m. starts, period, for all of the reasons that have been stated on this site. But, it looks like TSN won out in the end. Thursday night double headers with the east with the eastern games starting at 5:00 p.m. MDT and our games starting at 8:00 MDT. Pi$$es me right off and also tells me that RL has absolutely no pull with the league.

Hell, this schedule even alienates fans who are under the age of 50!!

Cheers,

SH

[LadyEskimo]

I seriously believe the entire reason for this schedule is because the BOG wants to hear less booing, and believes that the ONLY way to get that done is to have less butts in the seats. Change the plays and the winning?? Nah. Let's just see if less people show up, that way there will be less people who hate us....not smart!

My father (who is just about 55, gives you a good idea on how young I am) hates this schedule. AND he's got a place at a cottage, but does NOT go there every frickin' weekend. That's what the other 2 weeks in the summer months are for. No offense to those who love their cottages that much, but going to the cottage on a Friday night absolutely EXHAUSTED because I was up until 1 am the night before watching football would not be any more fun than going out post game on Friday.

I just hope, more than anything, they finally feel the effects of their stupid actions in the only place they'll notice...the wallet. I am sick and tired of being treated like a dummy, a fan who really doesn't care, and I'm not buying ANYTHING at Commonwealth this year. No merchandise, no food, no beer. I still love my team, and the game, but I'm not an idiot, and it's time the BOG realized this.

Sorry about the rant...I've been wanting to say that for so long!!!

[Uncle Bobby]

Yes, Uncle Bobby, it did come up at the Fan Forum. LeLacheur did say that a significant number of season ticket holders did not want Friday night or weekend games during the summer because they wanted to go to the cottage, me NOT included, by the way.

However, he also said that he would "not accept" 8:00 p.m. starts, period, for all of the reasons that have been stated on this site. But, it looks like TSN won out in the end. Thursday night double headers with the east with the eastern games starting at 5:00 p.m. MDT and our games starting at 8:00 MDT. Pi$$es me right off and also tells me that RL has absolutely no pull with the league.

Hell, this schedule even alienates fans who are under the age of 50!!

Cheers,

SH

Interesting.

Once you commit to Thursday night, you probably don't have much chance of changing the game time due to the Eastern game. I can see that.

The problem here is that the Esks didn't compromise with the fans. Both Calgary and Saskatchewan have 2 Thursday night home games. Their other ones in the summer are on the weekend.

Edmonton chose not to have ANY games on the weekend. That was a club choice based on what? A "significant" number of fans. So what exactly is the significant number? Or is it a significant number of "connected" season ticket holders?

The gate will end up judging this move.

[Diesel]

It shows they are catering to the wrong demographic. The Rush have shown both other sports teams how to aggresively market your product

[gizmo fan 2]

It shows they are catering to the wrong demographic. The Rush have shown both other sports teams how to aggresively market your product

Yep.

I'd like to point out too that the NLL is also a weekend league. Other teams have been shunted into Thursday night and Sunday afternoon games due to arena availability and such......yet the Rush, with two other teams in the building, have managed to secure nothing but Saturday nights this year (save for the All-Star game on a Sunday afternoon), and have had nothing but Friday and Saturday nights for home games since their inception.

And yet the Esks have first dibs on their venue and don't seem to realize that weekend dates draw better, even though past statistics prove it. If I get time later this week I'll pull up weekday vs. weekend crowds since 03 and see if that says anything - I suspect it will.

[Diesel]

Sic 'em boy!

[gizmo fan 2]

Screw it......it's getting done now, because I feel like it.

Okay, grouping by day and by opponent (because naturally CGY/SSK will draw better), and also ordering by time of year/day (for seasonality - generally starts low, rises to rematch, drops for cold).

Legend: day, month, date, year - team, our score-their score, crowd


Monday:
Mon Oct 11 04 - MTL, 39-19, 37 708

Tuesday:


Wednesday:
Wed Jul 16 03 - HAM, 52-15, 33 785

Thursday:

Thu Jun 5 03 - SSK, 17-10, 31 450 (ex)
Thu Jun 10 04 - CGY, 22-19, 30 084 (ex)
Thu Jun 21 07 - BC, 18-12, 31 650 (ex)
Thu Jun 26 03 - CGY, 36-26, 30 568
Thu Jun 28 07 - WPG, 39-39, 33 038
Thu Jul 20 06 - WPG, 22-25, 37 611

Thursday average: 32 400.


Friday:

Fri Jun 9 06 - SSK, 7-22, 27 840 (ex)
Fri Jun 10 05 - WPG, 20-20, 37 246 (ex)
Fri Jun 24 05 - OTT, 41-16, 36 912
Fri Jul 7 06 - BC, 27-20, 35 035
Fri Jul 15 05 - WPG, 14-12, 37 455
Fri Jul 20 07 - SSK, 21-20, 46 704
Fri Jul 28 06 - MTL, 13-21, 32 441
Fri Jul 30 04 - WPG, 41-24, 38 363
Fri Aug 11 06 - SSK, 24-18, 39 599
Fri Aug 20 04 - SSK, 31-7, 42 399
Fri Aug 26 05 - MTL, 36-26, 44 624
Fri Sep 5 03 - CGY, 38-0, 62 444
Fri Sep 7 07 - CGY, 17-20, 42 329
Fri Sep 8 06 - CGY, 35-26, 47 965
Fri Sep 9 05 - CGY, 11-16, 42 654
Fri Sep 10 04 - CGY, 44-12, 50 366
Fri Sep 14 07 - MTL, 47-28, 36 280
Fri Sep 19 03 - OTT, 45-33, 35 264
Fri Sep 22 06 - HAM, 18-20, 36 406
Fri Sep 26 03 - BC, 27-7, 44 432
Fri Sep 28 07 - TOR, 11-18, 31 056
Fri Oct 17 03 - WPG, 41-32, 45 164
Fri Oct 26 07 - SSK, 29-36 (OT), 40 127
Fri Oct 27 06 - SSK, 20-18, 31 779
Fri Oct 28 05 - BC, 22-19, 37 544

Friday average: 40 097.


Saturday:

Sat Jun 21 03 - MTL, 16-34, 30 109
Sat Jun 24 06 - CGY, 18-14, 40 491
Sat Jun 26 04 - BC, 34-41, 35 367
Sat Jul 17 04 - HAM, 51-30, 35 728
Sat Jul 30 05 - HAM, 36-30, 38 018
Sat Aug 4 07 - CGY, 32-34, 32 644
Sat Aug 9 03 - TOR, 49-20, 44 205
Sat Aug 11 07 - HAM, 19-17, 35 750
Sat Aug 20 05 - TOR, 18-22, 38 927
Sat Aug 23 03 - SSK, 49-31, 45 083
Sat Sep 24 05 - BC, 37-20, 48 048
Sat Sep 25 04 - TOR, 17-26, 41 113
Sat Oct 13 07 - BC, 18-24, 33 663
Sat Oct 14 06 - TOR, 25-28, 39 533
Sat Oct 15 05 - SSK, 19-18, 53 216

Saturday average: 39 460.

Sunday:

Sun Aug 29 04 - OTT, 57-16, 37 109
Sun Oct 24 04 - WPG, 30-24, 33 131
Sun Nov 7 04 - SSK, 6-14, 37 359 (WSF)
Sun Nov 9 03 - SSK, 30-23, 40 081 (WF)

Sunday average: 36 920.



Calgary:

By time of year:
Thu Jun 10 04 - CGY, 22-19, 30 084 (ex)
Sat Jun 24 06 - CGY, 18-14, 40 491
Thu Jun 26 03 - CGY, 36-26, 30 568
Sat Aug 4 07 - CGY, 32-34, 32 644
Fri Sep 5 03 - CGY, 38-0, 62 444
Fri Sep 7 07 - CGY, 17-20, 42 329
Fri Sep 8 06 - CGY, 35-26, 47 965
Fri Sep 9 05 - CGY, 11-16, 42 654
Fri Sep 10 04 - CGY, 44-12, 50 366

By day:
Thu Jun 10 04 - CGY, 22-19, 30 084 (ex)
Thu Jun 26 03 - CGY, 36-26, 30 568
Fri Sep 5 03 - CGY, 38-0, 62 444
Fri Sep 7 07 - CGY, 17-20, 42 329
Fri Sep 8 06 - CGY, 35-26, 47 965
Fri Sep 9 05 - CGY, 11-16, 42 654
Fri Sep 10 04 - CGY, 44-12, 50 366
Sat Jun 24 06 - CGY, 18-14, 40 491
Sat Aug 4 07 - CGY, 32-34, 32 644

Calgary average: 42 172.


Saskatchewan:

By time of year:
Thu Jun 5 03 - SSK, 17-10, 31 450 (ex)
Fri Jun 9 06 - SSK, 7-22, 27 840 (ex)
Fri Jul 20 07 - SSK, 21-20, 46 704
Fri Aug 11 06 - SSK, 24-18, 39 599
Fri Aug 20 04 - SSK, 31-7, 42 399
Sat Aug 23 03 - SSK, 49-31, 45 083
Sat Oct 15 05 - SSK, 19-18, 53 216
Fri Oct 26 07 - SSK, 29-36 (OT), 40 127
Fri Oct 27 06 - SSK, 20-18, 31 779
Sun Nov 7 04 - SSK, 6-14, 37 359 (WSF)
Sun Nov 9 03 - SSK, 30-23, 40 081 (WF)

By day:
Thu Jun 5 03 - SSK, 17-10, 31 450 (ex)
Fri Jun 9 06 - SSK, 7-22, 27 840 (ex)
Fri Jul 20 07 - SSK, 21-20, 46 704
Fri Aug 11 06 - SSK, 24-18, 39 599
Fri Aug 20 04 - SSK, 31-7, 42 399
Fri Oct 26 07 - SSK, 29-36 (OT), 40 127
Fri Oct 27 06 - SSK, 20-18, 31 779
Sat Aug 23 03 - SSK, 49-31, 45 083
Sat Oct 15 05 - SSK, 19-18, 53 216
Sun Nov 7 04 - SSK, 6-14, 37 359 (WSF)
Sun Nov 9 03 - SSK, 30-23, 40 081 (WF)

Saskatchewan average: 39 603.


BC:

By time of year:
Thu Jun 21 07 - BC, 18-12, 31 650 (ex)
Sat Jun 26 04 - BC, 34-41, 35 367
Fri Jul 7 06 - BC, 27-20, 35 035
Sat Sep 24 05 - BC, 37-20, 48 048
Fri Sep 26 03 - BC, 27-7, 44 432
Sat Oct 13 07 - BC, 18-24, 33 663
Fri Oct 28 05 - BC, 22-19, 37 544

By day:
Thu Jun 21 07 - BC, 18-12, 31 650 (ex)
Fri Jul 7 06 - BC, 27-20, 35 035
Fri Sep 26 03 - BC, 27-7, 44 432
Fri Oct 28 05 - BC, 22-19, 37 544
Sat Jun 26 04 - BC, 34-41, 35 367
Sat Sep 24 05 - BC, 37-20, 48 048
Sat Oct 13 07 - BC, 18-24, 33 663

BC average: 37 963.


Winnipeg:

By time of year:
Fri Jun 10 05 - WPG, 20-20, 37 246 (ex)
Thu Jun 28 07 - WPG, 39-39, 33 038
Fri Jul 15 05 - WPG, 14-12, 37 455
Thu Jul 20 06 - WPG, 22-25, 37 611
Fri Jul 30 04 - WPG, 41-24, 38 363
Fri Oct 17 03 - WPG, 41-32, 45 164
Sun Oct 24 04 - WPG, 30-24, 33 131

By day:
Thu Jun 28 07 - WPG, 39-39, 33 038
Thu Jul 20 06 - WPG, 22-25, 37 611
Fri Jun 10 05 - WPG, 20-20, 37 246 (ex)
Fri Jul 15 05 - WPG, 14-12, 37 455
Fri Jul 30 04 - WPG, 41-24, 38 363
Fri Oct 17 03 - WPG, 41-32, 45 164
Sun Oct 24 04 - WPG, 30-24, 33 131

Winnipeg average: 37 430.


Hamilton:

By time of year:
Wed Jul 16 03 - HAM, 52-15, 33 785
Sat Jul 17 04 - HAM, 51-30, 35 728
Sat Jul 30 05 - HAM, 36-30, 38 018
Sat Aug 11 07 - HAM, 19-17, 35 750
Fri Sep 22 06 - HAM, 18-20, 36 406

By day:
Wed Jul 16 03 - HAM, 52-15, 33 785
Fri Sep 22 06 - HAM, 18-20, 36 406
Sat Jul 17 04 - HAM, 51-30, 35 728
Sat Jul 30 05 - HAM, 36-30, 38 018
Sat Aug 11 07 - HAM, 19-17, 35 750

Hamilton average: 35 937.


Toronto:

By time of year:
Sat Aug 9 03 - TOR, 49-20, 44 205
Sat Aug 20 05 - TOR, 18-22, 38 927
Sat Sep 25 04 - TOR, 17-26, 41 113
Fri Sep 28 07 - TOR, 11-18, 31 056
Sat Oct 14 06 - TOR, 25-28, 39 533

By day:
Fri Sep 28 07 - TOR, 11-18, 31 056
Sat Aug 9 03 - TOR, 49-20, 44 205
Sat Aug 20 05 - TOR, 18-22, 38 927
Sat Sep 25 04 - TOR, 17-26, 41 113
Sat Oct 14 06 - TOR, 25-28, 39 533

Toronto average: 38 967.


Montreal:

By time of year:
Sat Jun 21 03 - MTL, 16-34, 30 109
Fri Jul 28 06 - MTL, 13-21, 32 441
Fri Aug 26 05 - MTL, 36-26, 44 624
Fri Sep 14 07 - MTL, 47-28, 36 280
Mon Oct 11 04 - MTL, 39-19, 37 708

By day:
Fri Jul 28 06 - MTL, 13-21, 32 441
Fri Aug 26 05 - MTL, 36-26, 44 624
Fri Sep 14 07 - MTL, 47-28, 36 280
Sat Jun 21 03 - MTL, 16-34, 30 109
Mon Oct 11 04 - MTL, 39-19, 37 708

Montreal average: 36 232.


Ottawa:

By time of year:
Fri Jun 24 05 - OTT, 41-16, 36 912
Sun Aug 29 04 - OTT, 57-16, 37 109
Fri Sep 19 03 - OTT, 45-33, 35 264

By day:
Fri Jun 24 05 - OTT, 41-16, 36 912
Fri Sep 19 03 - OTT, 45-33, 35 264
Sun Aug 29 04 - OTT, 57-16, 37 109

Ottawa average: 36 428.



Now, one can microanalyze that all they want (vs x on what day during which month, etc.)...but that tells me a few things besides the obvious (Thursdays won't draw as well, summer weekends are better, etc.).

Both our SSK games will not draw as well as usual - Thursdays will be especially tough for them to make road trips for. As much as we hate to admit it, they do contribute a k or so to our avg every year. So that's probably 10k tix not sold.

Same thing for the early Calgary game. Especially with an 8 pm start on Thurs - probably not many roadtrippers for that one.

Toronto, which is traditionally a strong draw in the mid-to-late summer on a weekend, has another 8 pm Thursday start in week 3. No dice there, assuming we start about as well as usual.

The mix of opponents and game days and times is probably about as bad as it could reasonably be, really.
I can't see any of the first five games holding/beating the average vs the opponent (SSK, CGY, TOR, BC, SSK).
The next four have a chance (CGY, HAM, WPG, BC) but it'll probably depend more on weather, how we're doing, and how they're marketed (ahem, take notice, club).
Unless we need the Halloween game for huge reasons (like to make the playoffs), there's no way it'll hit 36. Heck, I doubt it'd hit that even if it was huge, because it's Halloween.

That's all I can say. If they raise season tix prices on us next year because we weren't drawing enough this year, I'll be right pissed, because that's more their fault than ours.

[Muley69]

Giz...I posted this on the Esks.com message board. GREAT JOB

[eskimojones]

Yes, Uncle Bobby, it did come up at the Fan Forum. LeLacheur did say that a significant number of season ticket holders did not want Friday night or weekend games during the summer because they wanted to go to the cottage, me NOT included, by the way.

Wow, any doubts I had about not renewing my season tickets are gone. I don't know who or what LaLacheur considers to be " a significant number of season ticket holders", but there is no way in hell that they don't want weekend games. What a bunch of crap.

Eskies fans better dig in for a tough 3-5 years. This organization started a downward spiral when it did not fire DM, and with this season's schedule it is obvious that the Eskimos either have no idea what the fans want, or are too full of themselves to give it to us.

The Eskimos have the wrong man in charge.

[gizmo fan 2]

I was just doing some research for an article I'm writing for the UA paper on how messed up the sched is.

Here are some numbers for other teams.

Thursday games:

Total Thursday games: 21
Total Thursday late starts (past 7:00 local) : 5

Esks: 5 Thursdays, 5 at home, 3 late starts
Calgary: 7 Thursdays, 2 at home, 1 late start
BC: 3 Thursdays, 1 at home
Sask: 4 Thursdays, 1 at home, 1 late start

Winnipeg: 4 Thursdays, 3 at home
Hamilton: 8 Thursdays, 3 at home
Toronto: 6 Thursdays, 3 at home
Montreal: 5 Thursdays, 3 at home


More than half of the possible late starts, 100% of Thursdays at home, and 2 more Thursday home games than anyone.
Though Calgary and Hamilton did get a whole crapload of Thursdays as well, they're mostly on the road...that being said, still not great for them. Stamps have 6 in a row from week B to week 5 and the Ti-Cats have 8 of their first 10 on Thurs.



Home-and-homes:

Total back-to-back series: 14

Esks: 6 (SSK, TOR, BC, CGY, WPG, BC)
Calgary: 5 (BC, SSK, EDM, TOR, SSK)
BC: 5 (CGY, WPG, EDM, SSK, EDM)
Sask: 5 (EDM, CGY, WPG, BC, CGY)

Winnipeg: 3 (BC, SSK, EDM)
Hamilton: 1 (MTL)
Toronto: 2 (EDM, CGY)
Montreal: 1 (HAM)


We got hooped, and I'm not happy with that. But I didn't realize that our entire division got screwed, too. WTF is this?

More things to ponder, and be pissed about.

[Diesel]

The b2b's are BS

[Swivel Hips]

The b2b's are BS

Here, here!! Especially five of them. If you count pre-season, then it's six.

Cheers,

SH

[gizmo fan 2]

At least there aren't four consecutive home-and-homes like last year.

[/sarcasm]

[Opus]

nice.......nothing like double penetration.....

[SteveXtreme]

Halsy was stating on the radio what a great schedule it is. Anyone surprised?

That's okay. He still thinks the Oilers are going to make the playoffs!!

Cheers,

SH

That idiot needs to stop sniffing the Carolina Honey and buy a clue. The schedule sucks and catres to a smaller demographic of season ticket holders.


I wonder how much the 2008 schedule killed the "last minute" season ticket drive?

[Esks4ever]

One thing I've noticed via either being at other teams stadiums or watching their games on the 'tube and paying attention to the crowd when they pan by.. is there are alot of younger fans at those games... while Edmonton's home games are not. You see more older people than u do twenty somethings... and like i said before , eventually the older people will dissapear and it'll be up to those 20somethings to carry the tradition on, and if the Esks keep alientating them the Esks numbers will continue to drop year after year.

I have yet to see the Esks do anything to cater to a younger generation. Hell they even removed their Back to school program... well ok they moved it back to generally a crappy team, when it use to be the labour day rematch. I remember starting school and all I could think about was getting those tickets for the Calgary labour day rematch....The Anticipation was killer.. you knew it was going to be a packed house and the atmopshere would be off the charts, which imo would be a great time to install a love for the game day experience for younger people.. but instead we are asking people to get excited for a game against Hamilton ? Whooppee.


Move it back to Labour Day rematch.... Esks office - Get a clue.

[SteveXtreme]

One thing I've noticed via either being at other teams stadiums or watching their games on the 'tube and paying attention to the crowd when they pan by.. is there are alot of younger fans at those games... while Edmonton's home games are not. You see more older people than u do twenty somethings... and like i said before , eventually the older people will dissapear and it'll be up to those 20somethings to carry the tradition on, and if the Esks keep alientating them the Esks numbers will continue to drop year after year.

I have yet to see the Esks do anything to cater to a younger generation. Hell they even removed their Back to school program... well ok they moved it back to generally a crappy team, when it use to be the labour day rematch. I remember starting school and all I could think about was getting those tickets for the Calgary labour day rematch....The Anticipation was killer.. you knew it was going to be a packed house and the atmopshere would be off the charts, which imo would be a great time to install a love for the game day experience for younger people.. but instead we are asking people to get excited for a game against Hamilton ? Whooppee.


Move it back to Labour Day rematch.... Esks office - Get a clue.

Well said! I have noticed that there are a HUGE amount of older EE season ticket holders and that's great but the Green and Gold od have to start catring to the younger demographic and I think they need to have pre game entertainment out side the stadium. Also, get ALL the local radio stations out side Commonwealth doing broadcasts and plugging the game that day. Lets be honest, how many younger fans listen to 630 CHED? I would say not very many! Have the Bounce, K Rock, the Bear and so on at commonwealth. They do it for Oilers games and other big events around town why not for the Esks?

That's my two cents, take it for what it's worth.