WickedTemptress
08-24-2005, 04:10 PM
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?id=134305
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Renegades cancelled their controversial Mardi Gras Madness promotion Tuesday but team president Lonie Glieberman still pronounced it a success.
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.
"At the end of the day, did we accomplish our goal of getting young people in the city of Ottawa and the community of Gatineau to talk about the Renegades who had never talked about the Renegades before? The answer is yes," Glieberman said in a conference call Tuesday.
"From that standpoint, we're happy."
Still, Glieberman said there was just too much controversy surrounding the promotion to continue it for the final five home games this season.
"We made a decision that there was more negatives than positives to continue on," he said. "We had seen a poll that showed more people in Ottawa wanted it cancelled.
"At the end of the day, it's really about what the people of Ottawa want."
He said that the south-side deck will still be considered the section for the "partiers."
"We're just going to come up with a different idea because this one is creating more baggage, unfortunately," he said.
The club had moved to stop nudity, saying flashers would be escorted from the premises.
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. Glieberman said 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 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.
Glieberman hopes the city will lighten up on the issue.
"Tailgating is done throughout North America to a great success," he said. "It's a big part of what football's all about."
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Renegades cancelled their controversial Mardi Gras Madness promotion Tuesday but team president Lonie Glieberman still pronounced it a success.
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.
"At the end of the day, did we accomplish our goal of getting young people in the city of Ottawa and the community of Gatineau to talk about the Renegades who had never talked about the Renegades before? The answer is yes," Glieberman said in a conference call Tuesday.
"From that standpoint, we're happy."
Still, Glieberman said there was just too much controversy surrounding the promotion to continue it for the final five home games this season.
"We made a decision that there was more negatives than positives to continue on," he said. "We had seen a poll that showed more people in Ottawa wanted it cancelled.
"At the end of the day, it's really about what the people of Ottawa want."
He said that the south-side deck will still be considered the section for the "partiers."
"We're just going to come up with a different idea because this one is creating more baggage, unfortunately," he said.
The club had moved to stop nudity, saying flashers would be escorted from the premises.
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. Glieberman said 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 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.
Glieberman hopes the city will lighten up on the issue.
"Tailgating is done throughout North America to a great success," he said. "It's a big part of what football's all about."