The playoff results don't matter in the big picture if your making $220 mil alone on franchise value increases annually, because they're only a drop in the bucket in comparison.
As fans we see overpriced contracts for Matthews, Marner and Tavares hurting team competitiveness come playoff time, particularly if you have $33 mil producing 1 goal and nearly getting swept in round #2 that a single owner might address if winning was everything. BUT to MLSE they see star players and as a result can charge the NHL's highest ticket and gate receipts for 42 home games in the regular season maximizing profits, plus whatever happens in the playoffs.
I couldn't agree with you more.
This is what happens when the media are reduced to pom pom waving cheerleaders.
Critical commentary is eliminated. Reporters become propagandists. Rule is performed through editor.
When the media controls the team, they control the narrative.
Leafs fans have grown to accept mediocrity as a result. The constant hyping of the team for what it could be. Rather than being honest about things for the way they really are.
Losing all credibility in the process.
This is a franchise that generated $1.6B in revenue last year. The team makes oodles and oodles of money regardless of performance or expectation. Whether you cheer or boo at the game doesn't change the bottom line.
Ballard certainly didn't care if fans showed up with paper bags on their heads.
I don't think ML$E would either.