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VIEWPOINT: SCOTT OAKEQ
& A
Each week, Sports Online will turn the tables on Scott Oake,
who's used to peppering others with questions.
The Toronto Argonauts are considering pulling out
of the deal to build a new stadium at York University, much to the
surprise of the university and the Canadian Soccer Association, their
partners in the deal. The loss of the Argonauts - and their money
-could have major ramifications for the deal. Should the Argos honour
their committment to the new stadium, or are they well within their
rights to change their mind?
The Argo owners are businessmen and their first responsibility is
to their franchise. So if they have an offer of free rent at the Rogers
Centre and they can save the $20 million they were supposed to invest
in the York Stadium, then they should seriously consider it. The conundrum
is, staying at the Rogers Centre doesn't fulfill Howard Sokolowski's
and David Cynamon's pledge to create a more exciting atmosphere for
the Argos by building a smaller, more size-appropriate stadium.
As a CFL fan I was disappointed when the Varsity Stadium proposal
fell apart. I thought that would have been the perfect setting for
the Argos. Yes, the franchise has been revitalized by winning the
Grey Cup but it's highly unlikely the Argos will ever come close to
selling out the Rogers Centre. Still, I think the franchise is probably
better off downtown in the company of the Leafs, Raptors and Blue
Jays than it is well outside of the city at York.
The NHL announced last week that it will not start the 2005-06
season unless a collective bargaining agreement is reached with the
players. What do you think of the league's decision to back off its
earlier threat of using replacement players?
I always hated the notion of replacement players and I never thought
it would work. I don't think fans would ever buy low minor- or even
senior-league players wearing NHL uniforms. You would be left with
crowds of two or three thousand and long term damage to the game.
Thankfully, the general managers were able to convince their owners
of this. Now that we know the season won't start on time unless it's
with real NHL players there is increased pressure on the owners to
get a deal. And that's a good thing.
In the NFL draft this past weekend, McMaster running back
Jesse Lumsden went unselected. However, he subsequently signed a free-agent
contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Is Lumsden wise to take a shot
at making an NFL roster, or would he be better off signing with a
CFL club?
Jesse Lumsden should do exactly what he's doing: seek out his highest
level of competition. He believes that's the NFL and Seattle is giving
him the opportunity to find out if he's right. Being Canadian and
undrafted, the odds are certainly against him. Note what Calgary Stampeders
head coach Tom Higgins said about Lumsden last week. The Stampeders
have first pick in the CFL draft and Higgins wouldn't commit to selecting
Lumsden suggesting they're a better team with American Joffrey Reynolds
at tailback. If Reynolds was good enough to play in the NFL he'd be
there so Lumsden is in tough in his quest to make it.
Nonetheless, bravo to him for chasing his dream with such gusto. If
it doesn't work out he can always come to the CFL, secure in the knowledge
he gave the NFL his best shot.
Lightning-round questions:
William Houston of The Globe and Mail has argued that journalists
should not appear in commercials. Would you accept an offer to be
in a commercial?
Only if it didn't remotely affect my credibility.
Would it be a good move for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to acquire
Doug and Darren Flutie?
Yes.
Who will win the NBA title?
The Miami Heat.
Tony Soprano or Don Vito Corleone?
Tony Soprano, because he and I weigh about the same.
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Scott began his career by volunteering at the university radio station during three years of pre-med. studies at Memorial University in St. John's, Nfld. After two summers working at CBC-St. John's in radio and television, he was hired full-time in 1974. Since then, Oake has covered the Olympic Winter and Summer Games and the Commonwealth Games as a commentator for wrestling, hockey, alpine skiing, swimming, rowing, diving, boxing and athletics.
FULL
BIO
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