The Economics of Mediocrity: Why it's your fault the Leafs stink

Our gilded franchise will only get better if it has to. An academic makes the case that a second team is the only way to improve pro hockey in Toronto

You could stay away from the Air Canada Centre to voice your displeasure. But you've already chosen not to do so. And with so many seats held by corporate concerns, there's little likelihood of forcing Leafs management out of its complacency by voting with your bums. So here's another solution: Fight to get another team in the Toronto market. While New York boasts the Rangers, Islanders and Devils within its metropolitan area, Toronto NHL fans are stuck with the only show in town.

The club makes money, which is exactly what its majority owners, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, want. But the evidence suggests it is not interested in spending more to produce a winning team: their investment is already paying them handsome returns (see Rick Westhead's story on Page 1). There is little incentive to spend on an asset that is already delivering on the bottom line.

The only sure way to change things is competition in the Toronto market. That would give fans a choice about where to spend their hockey dollars.