To avoid the Growlers’ fate, the Rogues need more support from fans and sponsors, owner says

The Newfoundland Rogues are the only professional sports team left in the province after the Growlers folded last week. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

The demise of the Newfoundland Growlers hockey team last week means there is now just one professional sports franchise left in the province: The Newfoundland Rogues of the Basketball Super League.

Team owner Tony Kenny told CBC News the situation at the Growlers is sad, but he’s not surprised.

“We need the support not only of the fans, but of the corporate sponsors, the community, the province and the city of St. John’s,” he said of running a professional sports team in St. John’s. “Everyone has to play a role in making a franchise successful.”

Former Newfoundland Growlers owner Dean MacDonald told CBC News last week that the hockey team went bankrupt due to conflicts with St. John’s city officials and financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maintaining a basketball team is cheaper, Kenny said, costing only about one-fifth of maintaining a hockey team. But financial support from sponsors like the city is still crucial, he said.

Rogues owner Tony Kenny says the team needs the support of fans and sponsors to avoid a similar fate to the Growlers. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

The team plays at least 25 home games, which also attracts customers to the center.

According to Kenny, it is ultimately up to the fans and sponsors to decide whether it makes sense to keep the team going.

There is also the work that the players do off the field, taking part in community events with different organisations in the province and providing a place for young people interested in the sport to build towards.

“We go to a lot of schools, a lot of clubs,” Kenny said. “We go to Labrador, Sheshatshiu, the second time to play, to give a camp to their Eagles, to help their basketball in their community.”

That’s the value of professional sports in the province, Kenny said.

“We need support, absolutely need support. We need fans,” he said. “We need the basketball community and an invitation to all the people who cheered on the growlers.”

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