Today’s Headline: Trouble brewing for Memorial Cup host?

In the Ottawa Sun today, an article by Jim Cressman, Trouble brewing for Memorial Cup host?:

LONDON, ONT. -- Molson and Labatt are at lagerheads again and if it isn't resolved soon, the city could lose the Memorial Cup. And in a worse-case scenario, the Knights would be removed as host team.

Molson is a major sponsor of the 2005 event May 21-29 at the John Labatt Centre.

Each side is claiming foul.

Molson says Labatt won't allow Molson products to be sold in the JLC during the event, while Labatt says Molson is attempting to shut out Labatt.

CHL president and OHL commissioner David Branch said yesterday "there have been certain suggestions that there is an issue" and has requested a report from the host committee.

"I wouldn't even want to speak to hypothetical matters until we know if there is an issue," Branch said when asked if this might scuttle London as host.

Brian Ohl, GM of the JLC, said that he's optimistic that the event will proceed as planned.

"I still think this is going to be worked out," said Ohl. "The last conversation we had with Molson, I thought they were working toward a compromise as well."

And of course, the response from the NOOFers has been entertaining.

Otto: Blah Blah Blah. Here's good 'olJim Cressman blowing smoke yet again. All he's looking to do is put panic into the public. They reached a deal LAST time this was an issue and a deal will be reached again. Last time the arena was to be referenced to as "The London Sports and Entertainment Centre" during any mention of it on TV. Molsons got the pouring rights for the draft beer and Labbats kept it for bottled beer. Any mention of Labbatts inside the building was covered up. [Sic]

may know: Like most posters have indicated it’s Cressman blowing smoke or making a mountain out of a molehill. So when there’s a resolution, he can say “You heard here first, Memorial Cup saved!” [Sic]

Max: I am surprised the London Free Press would allow that trash to be printed. [Sic]

wombat: I find it amazing how beer companies, a product that you must be 19 to drink has so much power over an organization whom approximately half of the product (players) they have isnt even legally allowed to consume it. [Sic]

Simon Knightsman: Good points Eagle Vision and I just spoke with the writer of the story and what he is saying is it has been going on for a while with neither side giving an inch. Cressman says he put it out there so these two for future events don't hammer other cities with the same bad publicity. I asked him point blank do we have any further worries are they going to dig in and he says it will be resolved. [Sic]

Interesting, very interesting.