PDO
8-23-05, 2:53 PM
Renegades cancel controversial Mardi Gras stadium promotion
posted August 23 @ 11:02, EST
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Renegades have cancelled their controversial Mardi Gras Madness promotion.
Adapted from the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans, women seated in the south-side upper deck of Frank Clair Stadium were encouraged to collect beads from men, which on Bourbon Street is sometimes achieved by exposing breasts. The woman with the most beads at the CFL game won $1,000.
Renegades president Lonie Glieberman said that the city and some fans were concerned about the promotion.
"We have taken these all into consideration, weighed the pros and cons, and decided that this specific promotion will end," he said Tuesday in a statement.
A media conference call was planned for later Tuesday.
"Mardi Gras is - and was always intended to be - a fun, in-game promotion to target the 18-34 age demographic and for our fans to enjoy themselves," Glieberman added. "Based on what we saw in our last home game (Aug. 11 versus Saskatchewan), the promotion helped fill the upper south section to near capacity."
Though nudity was originally intended, the club quickly revised its policy before the home opener in July. It said flashers would be escorted from the premises, which happened on several occasions amid jeers from patrons.
On at least one occasion, police officers and security guards were pelted with hotdogs and beads as they escorted a bead-wearing young woman down the aisle.
Those offended by the promotion were allowed to exchange their tickets for seats in other areas of the stadium. According to Glieberman, no more than 100 customers have been relocated this season, although security was beefed up at the last game.
Meanwhile, city officials have also threatened to crack down on tailgating, in which fans arrive early and begin barbecuing and drinking in the parking lot.
A letter from Lansdowne Park manager Richard Haycock to the team promised tougher enforcement in the way of $130 fines for alcohol consumption outside the stadium. The city has asked the club to announce that violators will be charged and will distribute letters to drivers who enter the parking lot.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/shownews.jsp?content=f082308A
:curse: :rolleyes:
The last part is the worst.. what's wrong with tailgating? The NFL promotes tailgaiting!
posted August 23 @ 11:02, EST
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Renegades have cancelled their controversial Mardi Gras Madness promotion.
Adapted from the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans, women seated in the south-side upper deck of Frank Clair Stadium were encouraged to collect beads from men, which on Bourbon Street is sometimes achieved by exposing breasts. The woman with the most beads at the CFL game won $1,000.
Renegades president Lonie Glieberman said that the city and some fans were concerned about the promotion.
"We have taken these all into consideration, weighed the pros and cons, and decided that this specific promotion will end," he said Tuesday in a statement.
A media conference call was planned for later Tuesday.
"Mardi Gras is - and was always intended to be - a fun, in-game promotion to target the 18-34 age demographic and for our fans to enjoy themselves," Glieberman added. "Based on what we saw in our last home game (Aug. 11 versus Saskatchewan), the promotion helped fill the upper south section to near capacity."
Though nudity was originally intended, the club quickly revised its policy before the home opener in July. It said flashers would be escorted from the premises, which happened on several occasions amid jeers from patrons.
On at least one occasion, police officers and security guards were pelted with hotdogs and beads as they escorted a bead-wearing young woman down the aisle.
Those offended by the promotion were allowed to exchange their tickets for seats in other areas of the stadium. According to Glieberman, no more than 100 customers have been relocated this season, although security was beefed up at the last game.
Meanwhile, city officials have also threatened to crack down on tailgating, in which fans arrive early and begin barbecuing and drinking in the parking lot.
A letter from Lansdowne Park manager Richard Haycock to the team promised tougher enforcement in the way of $130 fines for alcohol consumption outside the stadium. The city has asked the club to announce that violators will be charged and will distribute letters to drivers who enter the parking lot.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/shownews.jsp?content=f082308A
:curse: :rolleyes:
The last part is the worst.. what's wrong with tailgating? The NFL promotes tailgaiting!