Unless you have been living on a deserted island, chances are you have chimed in on the recent Don Cherry firing, however, will the controversy affect Blue Jays viewership ratings?
Roger Media owns Sportsnet and the rights to air Hockey Night In Canada hockey games until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. The company recently fired Canadian icon Don Cherry for a recent rant in regards to immigrants not supporting veterans by purchasing a poppy.
The media mogul ironically relieved the 85-year old Cherry of his Coach’s Corner responsibilities on Remembrance Day causing an uproar of epic proportions north of the border. The support for Cherry has been overwhelming as many Canadians have threatened to boycott Sportsnet.
There is a “Bring Back Don Cherry” petition making its rounds online that has already generated over 156,000 electronic signatures in support of “Grapes”.
Let see, if the 100,000 folks who have now signed, dropped their Sportsnet subscription..they would stand to lose 2 Million per month, 24 Million per year. Let's make sure that happens people! Money is all powerful!
— Greg (@somecanuckguy) November 12, 2019
I have personally read a number of tweets and social media posts where Canadians have cancelled their services with Rogers in protest of the Cherry dismissal. Many have vowed to never watch another game on Sportsnet which could directly affect the Blue Jays television ratings.
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Cherry has refused to apologize standing by his comments proclaiming he will not be a “tamed robot”. The incident has somewhat turned into political posturing between the Conservative and Liberal point of views.
It will be interesting to see if the Cherry supporters stick to their guns and cancel their services and boycott Sportsnet or if this is just the flavour of the week. The backlash could affect a Blue Jays team already struggling at the gates.
Regardless of where you stand on the matter, there is no questioning the support Cherry has shown for the troops and law enforcement officials throughout his career.
Are you planning on boycotting Sportsnet because of the Cherry firing, chime in below and let us know where you stand on the issue?