Year in, year out, the Canadiens captain is held hostage of the Québec language debate.
Québécois nationalists complain Koivu does not speak French, when they should instead be grateful he does not.
As they should be grateful Kovalev, Markov, Plekanec, Higgins and all the non native French speakers in the team do not.
If one language has to be butchered in the Canadiens dressing room, on the ice and during media interviews, better be it English rather than French.
The esperanto and lingua franca of the NHL probably bears very limited resemblance to Shakespeare’s, The Gazette’s, even Beckham’s and John Doe’s English and linguists would probably detect in it very strong North and Eastern European influences.
Any lover of the French language should be thankful that his own idiom be spared such debilitating and, in the long term, probably deadly treatment.
Better have fewer but better French speakers.
If Koivu were to learn French, when would he speak it : not with his team mates, not with his family.
If Koivu spoke French, it would only be part of a marketing ploy by the Canadien management to better sell its product to the Québécois fans : Koivu would be asked to memorise a few standard phrases, coined by the communications spin masters, to pay lip service to his « amour de Montréal », « attachement au club, ses partisans » and so on and so forth and advertise the new line of products available at the club store.
During his later Tours de France, Lance Armstrong made a point of answering French journalists in what was supposedly French.
It was amazing to hear how he could speak a language so poorly after spending so much time in the country, racing with many French speaking riders.
Why he insisted on inflicting such a beating to the language was then a mystery.
It has since become clear as, safely back into English and on the western side of the pond, Armstrong has repeatedly, fluently and articulately voiced his hate and contempt for the country and the people of which he had won the biking Tour seven times.
No doubt, butchering the French language was probably the most satisfying way he had found at the time to spit on the French while sweet-talking them for commercial reasons.
So better a decent Finn who speaks no French than a Tartufe who claims he tries to. (P.M.)
samedi 3 novembre 2007
Tennis : the first fruit of passion.
After a shaky honeymoon, newlyweds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic are happy to announce their first double title, at the Saint-Petersburg Open.
Both players had already experienced the good fortunes of the Russian Venice, though with different mates : Nestor in 2001 with Zimbabwean Kevin Ullyet, Zimonjic in 2003, with Austrian Julian Knowle, not to be mistaken for Bahamian Mark Knowles, Nestor’s long time partner with whom he won 39 tournaments.
A recently terminated exception in a world where double couples last the time of Hollywood marriages.
The recomposed couple is now playing in another city of romance : Paris. Will love triumph again ? (P.M.)
Both players had already experienced the good fortunes of the Russian Venice, though with different mates : Nestor in 2001 with Zimbabwean Kevin Ullyet, Zimonjic in 2003, with Austrian Julian Knowle, not to be mistaken for Bahamian Mark Knowles, Nestor’s long time partner with whom he won 39 tournaments.
A recently terminated exception in a world where double couples last the time of Hollywood marriages.
The recomposed couple is now playing in another city of romance : Paris. Will love triumph again ? (P.M.)
NHL/LNH : thank God for RDS, and TSN.
According to « Team Marketing Report », a Habs game at the Bell Centre for four people, including such perks as beer, soda drinks, hot dogs, two caps and more, will cost the family budget -if it is a family- 388,24 $US.
The figure is up 5,1% from last year and the second highest in the NHL behind the 476,02 US$ the same outing would cost in Toronto for a Maple Leafs game.
This is no small amount, but is the figure accurate ? According to the magazine, a beer at the Bell centre will set you back 5,90$ (US or Canadian ?), the real price would be 8,34$ (US or Canadian).
Besides, if the 388,24 $US figure shows a 5,1% increase from last year, it would mean the actual cost in Canadian dollars has dramatically decreased considering the Loonie has appreciated by more than 20% versus the US dollar since January 1, 2007 : obviously such was not the case, as the tickets prices increased in local currency.
The actual figure could therefore be even higher.
How can the Canadiens afford to charge such insane prices without creating a riot ?
Obviously, because enough « amateurs » can afford them. But who are they ? Hard core fans or corporate Québec or affluent happy few ?
How many season tickets are paid for by companies rather than individuals ?
How many people attend the Canadiens Games, because it is the place to be seen, and supposedly the best entertainment in town, as they would attend Broadway musicals -and certainly not Rangers Games- if they lived in New York ?
More importantly, how can hard core fans without the means to hand out such sums to watch their favourite team accept to be driven out of the arena without a remake of the Forum riot ?
Call it the RDS, or RDS/TSN miracle. For the Canadien bank account, it is a miracle which strikes twice : first, the sale of TV rights land the organisation a small yearly fortune ; second, by actually moving the affordable seats from the arena to private living rooms, RDS and TSN allow the club to inflate ticket and concessions prices without fully alienating its social basis : RDS and TSN cater to the club’s poor by « offering » them the games, at a fraction of the arena price, with beer and hot dogs at supermarket’s prices, in the language of their choice and now high definition.
The Centre Bell crowd is supposed to be boisterous and hyper critical. Is it really ? Maybe not, but this white collar public knows it is supposed to behave like a blue collar one, and plays its part as well and sometimes stupidly -Briére’s Montréal welcome- as the media have instructed him to. It cheers and boos, like it would -and may be does- offer a standing ovation at the end of a MSO concert, because it is the proper thing to do.
In Spain, the « socios » of soccer clubs are not just season ticket holders, they own a stake in their club and have collectively a say in its management, can oust a president and elect a new one.
In other European countries, even if the fans are not « socios », organised supporters groups often yield major political and financial power vis-à-vis the management, coach and players.
Under the new convention between the team owners and the players, the NHL is supposed to be run as a partnership between these two parties.
The partnership clearly is not meant to extend to the fans. In fact, it looks as though it is the only area where the partnership truly works : team owners and players are quick to agree on the back -or the wallet- of those providing for their globally rather high living.
« Let them eat cake » is out, but « let them watch RDS/TSN » is in. (P.M.)
The figure is up 5,1% from last year and the second highest in the NHL behind the 476,02 US$ the same outing would cost in Toronto for a Maple Leafs game.
This is no small amount, but is the figure accurate ? According to the magazine, a beer at the Bell centre will set you back 5,90$ (US or Canadian ?), the real price would be 8,34$ (US or Canadian).
Besides, if the 388,24 $US figure shows a 5,1% increase from last year, it would mean the actual cost in Canadian dollars has dramatically decreased considering the Loonie has appreciated by more than 20% versus the US dollar since January 1, 2007 : obviously such was not the case, as the tickets prices increased in local currency.
The actual figure could therefore be even higher.
How can the Canadiens afford to charge such insane prices without creating a riot ?
Obviously, because enough « amateurs » can afford them. But who are they ? Hard core fans or corporate Québec or affluent happy few ?
How many season tickets are paid for by companies rather than individuals ?
How many people attend the Canadiens Games, because it is the place to be seen, and supposedly the best entertainment in town, as they would attend Broadway musicals -and certainly not Rangers Games- if they lived in New York ?
More importantly, how can hard core fans without the means to hand out such sums to watch their favourite team accept to be driven out of the arena without a remake of the Forum riot ?
Call it the RDS, or RDS/TSN miracle. For the Canadien bank account, it is a miracle which strikes twice : first, the sale of TV rights land the organisation a small yearly fortune ; second, by actually moving the affordable seats from the arena to private living rooms, RDS and TSN allow the club to inflate ticket and concessions prices without fully alienating its social basis : RDS and TSN cater to the club’s poor by « offering » them the games, at a fraction of the arena price, with beer and hot dogs at supermarket’s prices, in the language of their choice and now high definition.
The Centre Bell crowd is supposed to be boisterous and hyper critical. Is it really ? Maybe not, but this white collar public knows it is supposed to behave like a blue collar one, and plays its part as well and sometimes stupidly -Briére’s Montréal welcome- as the media have instructed him to. It cheers and boos, like it would -and may be does- offer a standing ovation at the end of a MSO concert, because it is the proper thing to do.
In Spain, the « socios » of soccer clubs are not just season ticket holders, they own a stake in their club and have collectively a say in its management, can oust a president and elect a new one.
In other European countries, even if the fans are not « socios », organised supporters groups often yield major political and financial power vis-à-vis the management, coach and players.
Under the new convention between the team owners and the players, the NHL is supposed to be run as a partnership between these two parties.
The partnership clearly is not meant to extend to the fans. In fact, it looks as though it is the only area where the partnership truly works : team owners and players are quick to agree on the back -or the wallet- of those providing for their globally rather high living.
« Let them eat cake » is out, but « let them watch RDS/TSN » is in. (P.M.)
CFL/LCF : à toute chose malheur est bon ?
CFL/LCF : à toute chose malheur est bon ?
Sports is full of stories of athletes who, struck by personal tragedy, shake it away by hurrying back to their game and play with heightened intensity and motivation to prove that no adversity can crush them.
No such thing happened last week after Anthony Calvillo learnt his wife suffers from cancer.
Such news is no doubt dramatic and, for the Calvillos, devastating. Anthony Calvillo could be expected to skip the last two regular season games and return to the Alouettes for the play offs.
Instead, the quarter back decided to call it a season, when the real season was only about to begin.
Strange decision. Calvillo is, after all, a professional athlete and paid accordingly : when a bank manager’s wife is struck with cancer, her husband is usually not given indefinite leave - whether paid or unpaid, this is not the central issue- to look after her.
Besides, the real season could have been a really short one for the Alouettes and Calvillo would have then been able to stay full time with his wife till next season training camp.
The decision may speak volumes about the atmosphere inside the team’s dressing room and each player’s commitment to the club : you are not supposed to let your team mates down.
But was it truly Calvillo’s decision ? He no doubt endorsed it, but did he originate it ?
If I am not mistaken, all communication regarding the starting quarter back’s decision was handled by the club itself.
Could it be -how to phrase it tactfully ?- that the consequences of Ms. Calvillo’s illness - though obviously not the illness itself- were received by the Alouettes management like the « force majeure » or « act of God » they had prayed for and could save, if not their season, part of their face ?
Were the Alouettes so convinced their season, with or without Calvillo, was going nowhere that they pressed their quarter back to stay with his wife so they could have the perfect excuse for a likely early play offs elimination : Anthony Calvillo did not play ; who knows if he had... ?
What a relief and what an easy way out for coach and general manager Jim Popp : what a perfect excuse to grant oneself one more season wearing two caps over one’s inflated scalp.
It remains to be hoped, for the fans and the players, if not the management, that Marcus Brady will beat the odds. And that Ms. Calvillo will prove her doctors’ optimism right. (P.M.)
Sports is full of stories of athletes who, struck by personal tragedy, shake it away by hurrying back to their game and play with heightened intensity and motivation to prove that no adversity can crush them.
No such thing happened last week after Anthony Calvillo learnt his wife suffers from cancer.
Such news is no doubt dramatic and, for the Calvillos, devastating. Anthony Calvillo could be expected to skip the last two regular season games and return to the Alouettes for the play offs.
Instead, the quarter back decided to call it a season, when the real season was only about to begin.
Strange decision. Calvillo is, after all, a professional athlete and paid accordingly : when a bank manager’s wife is struck with cancer, her husband is usually not given indefinite leave - whether paid or unpaid, this is not the central issue- to look after her.
Besides, the real season could have been a really short one for the Alouettes and Calvillo would have then been able to stay full time with his wife till next season training camp.
The decision may speak volumes about the atmosphere inside the team’s dressing room and each player’s commitment to the club : you are not supposed to let your team mates down.
But was it truly Calvillo’s decision ? He no doubt endorsed it, but did he originate it ?
If I am not mistaken, all communication regarding the starting quarter back’s decision was handled by the club itself.
Could it be -how to phrase it tactfully ?- that the consequences of Ms. Calvillo’s illness - though obviously not the illness itself- were received by the Alouettes management like the « force majeure » or « act of God » they had prayed for and could save, if not their season, part of their face ?
Were the Alouettes so convinced their season, with or without Calvillo, was going nowhere that they pressed their quarter back to stay with his wife so they could have the perfect excuse for a likely early play offs elimination : Anthony Calvillo did not play ; who knows if he had... ?
What a relief and what an easy way out for coach and general manager Jim Popp : what a perfect excuse to grant oneself one more season wearing two caps over one’s inflated scalp.
It remains to be hoped, for the fans and the players, if not the management, that Marcus Brady will beat the odds. And that Ms. Calvillo will prove her doctors’ optimism right. (P.M.)
NHL/LNH : career management.
Last week, Alex Kovalev completed his 1000th NHL game. He also stated his goal to play until fifty and complete one thousand more games to reach the 2000 mark.
The journalists smiled. Kovalev insisted he was not joking. I believe him. This is bad news for the Canadien and his threat should not be taken lightly.
In fact, the player’s candid statement explains everything. We now know why Kovalev does not show up for every game. If he wants to play till he turns fifty, he’d better spare himself. If he wants to reach the 2000 game mark, he’d better dress for every game, but not always show up.
This is Kovalev’s strategy : play 2000 NHL games but compete in only a few hundred and doze the others away.
So, do not be surprised if, after his uncharacteristic fast start, Kovalev soon awards himself a seasonal on ice break : the Artist warned you.
The journalists smiled. Kovalev insisted he was not joking. I believe him. This is bad news for the Canadien and his threat should not be taken lightly.
In fact, the player’s candid statement explains everything. We now know why Kovalev does not show up for every game. If he wants to play till he turns fifty, he’d better spare himself. If he wants to reach the 2000 game mark, he’d better dress for every game, but not always show up.
This is Kovalev’s strategy : play 2000 NHL games but compete in only a few hundred and doze the others away.
So, do not be surprised if, after his uncharacteristic fast start, Kovalev soon awards himself a seasonal on ice break : the Artist warned you.
jeudi 1 novembre 2007
Ironie
Sur la page sport même qui nous indiquait comment et pourquoi le Maple Leafs gagnaient de l'argent(i.e. en perdant sur la glace), on nous racontait pourquoi les Red Sox avaient gagné leur deuxième ''Série Mondiale'' en 4 ans(i.e. en dépensant en coulisse). Glorieuse certitude du sport professionnel.
L'art du vide et du rien
Intéressant article dans The Gazette du 30 octobre dernier. Intéressant et instructif. Il traitait d'un sujet qui nous passionne tous, le sport, d'un autre qui nous concerne tous, le fric, et du rapport entre les deux, ce qui est quasiment la raison première de ce blog. Or donc, le MLSE, plus importante entreprise du ''sport-business'' du Canada, aurait engrangé un profit de 83 millions lors de son dernier exercice, clos le 30 juin 2007, pour un chiffre d'affaire de 383 millions. Marge nette:21.7%. Suit une courte, et amusante, liste des produits les plus rentables de cette entreprise.
Qu'est-ce que le MLSE? Tout simplement le Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Ce conglomérat inclus des puissances sportives du genre: Maple Leafs au hockey, Raptors au basket et Toronto FC au Major League Soccer. Mais les produits phares, ou vaches à lait, sont autres: raclures de Zamboni, cordages de filets de buts, billets pour spectacles fictifs, etc.
Cela a éveillé quelques réminiscences et déclenché quelques pensées dans mon cerveau anesthésié par le panem et circenses de ce début de XXI ème siècle.
-Au temps déjà lointain de mes études, je me souviens d'un cas de comptabilité analytique décrivant une entreprise vendant de ''l'air du temps'', dont la structure de coûts n'incluait que des coûts fixes et pas de coût variable. Ça jutait un max, cette boite. Las! Le professeur nous avait alors expliqué que ce genre de compagnie n'existait pas et n'existerait jamais. Et bien si, ce genre de compagnie existe, c'est le MLSE, car je ne peux envisager que les Maple Leafs, Raptors ou Toronto FC donnent, par exemple, des boni de performance à leurs employés et néanmoins joueurs. Et je ne pense pas que des raclures de Zamboni ou des cordages de filets de buts aient des valeurs comptables significatives et dignes d'entrer dans la catégorie ''coûts variables''. Les billets, eux sont vendu à Bay Street, car les fans ne peuvent plus se les payer. Là non plus, pas de coût variable(à part peut être le papier sur lequel ils sont imprimé). Il serait bien étonné, notre professeur de ''compta-ana'', et en tirerait peut-être d'humanistes conclusions sur l'invariabilité de la bétise humaine, une variable à ne pas négliger.
-En parlant de bétise, une analogie m'est aussi apparue. Vous vous souvenez du film ''Les Producteurs'' de Mel Brooks. Une histoire de spectacle qui ne peut être rentable que s'il foire, ou est annulé, et qui malheureusement pour ses producteurs, a beaucoup de succès malgré sa nullité absolue. Visionnaire, Mel Brooks? Prémonitoire, ce film? Pas réellement, en ce que le spectacle est certes mauvais et à néanmoins beaucoup de succès, mais profite pleinement à ses producteurs. Spring time for share holders in Toronto... Et pourvu que ça dure encore 40 ans!
Qu'est-ce que le MLSE? Tout simplement le Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Ce conglomérat inclus des puissances sportives du genre: Maple Leafs au hockey, Raptors au basket et Toronto FC au Major League Soccer. Mais les produits phares, ou vaches à lait, sont autres: raclures de Zamboni, cordages de filets de buts, billets pour spectacles fictifs, etc.
Cela a éveillé quelques réminiscences et déclenché quelques pensées dans mon cerveau anesthésié par le panem et circenses de ce début de XXI ème siècle.
-Au temps déjà lointain de mes études, je me souviens d'un cas de comptabilité analytique décrivant une entreprise vendant de ''l'air du temps'', dont la structure de coûts n'incluait que des coûts fixes et pas de coût variable. Ça jutait un max, cette boite. Las! Le professeur nous avait alors expliqué que ce genre de compagnie n'existait pas et n'existerait jamais. Et bien si, ce genre de compagnie existe, c'est le MLSE, car je ne peux envisager que les Maple Leafs, Raptors ou Toronto FC donnent, par exemple, des boni de performance à leurs employés et néanmoins joueurs. Et je ne pense pas que des raclures de Zamboni ou des cordages de filets de buts aient des valeurs comptables significatives et dignes d'entrer dans la catégorie ''coûts variables''. Les billets, eux sont vendu à Bay Street, car les fans ne peuvent plus se les payer. Là non plus, pas de coût variable(à part peut être le papier sur lequel ils sont imprimé). Il serait bien étonné, notre professeur de ''compta-ana'', et en tirerait peut-être d'humanistes conclusions sur l'invariabilité de la bétise humaine, une variable à ne pas négliger.
-En parlant de bétise, une analogie m'est aussi apparue. Vous vous souvenez du film ''Les Producteurs'' de Mel Brooks. Une histoire de spectacle qui ne peut être rentable que s'il foire, ou est annulé, et qui malheureusement pour ses producteurs, a beaucoup de succès malgré sa nullité absolue. Visionnaire, Mel Brooks? Prémonitoire, ce film? Pas réellement, en ce que le spectacle est certes mauvais et à néanmoins beaucoup de succès, mais profite pleinement à ses producteurs. Spring time for share holders in Toronto... Et pourvu que ça dure encore 40 ans!
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