TFC Media League - Championship

------------------------The coveted Graham Legatt Trophy

The TFC Media League has come to an end as 2009 draws to a close. For those of you who may not have followed the race, The Yorkies' TFC Media League is a competition to track which of Toronto's main media outlets best covers Toronto FC through the year. The winner is awarded the Graham Legatt Trophy named for the venerable Scottish host of TSN's old Soccer Saturday program.

2009 was quite a year for following TFC and there were no shortage of stories. The early season promise, the Miracle in Montreal, the Putrid in Puerto Rico, Carver's departure, Dichio's retirement, Real Madrid's visit and so many more stories have filled the airwaves and pages. However, only one outlet could be champion and the very tight race for the title came to a close this week.

The Toronto Star takes the first annual Graham Legatt Trophy narrowly edging their derby rivals Red Sun Toronto aka The Toronto Sun. All sports radio station The Fan 590 had a solid showing as did Gerry, Craig and the Sportsnet gang. The Globe & Mail were surprisingly strong but the big shock was how truly poor TSN's showing was. The "Sports" Network treated TFC with just slightly better coverage than that annual Hot Dog Eating competition. Lucky for TSN the TFC Media League is like MLS and doesn't yet have relegation.

With that, 2010 is about to dawn as is the new Media League season. Let us know if you think any other Toronto media outlets (not including football specific ones) deserve to play in 2010. Congrats to the Toronto Star and may 2010 have even better coverage from all the teams who are aiming for the Graham Legatt Trophy!

TFC Media League - Round 8

The TFC Media League is a month away from crowning its' first champion and winner of the Graham Leggat Trophy. It has been a two-horse race for the top spot between The Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun and it is still too close to pick a winner.

The recent news of "Argo-Gate II: The Pinballing of BMO" has shaken up things in the middle of the pack with The Globe & Mail being the surprise mover as of late. With a month to go, a lot can still happen - except for TSN getting out of last that is. Pathetic.

If you want to follow the race and see which media outlet provided the best TFC coverage in 2009, just scroll down the right side of the page and check out the table. 30 days left and all to play for.

TFC Media League - Round 7

The MLS regular season is about to end but the TFC Media League is still going strong. Since the news doesn't end when the season does, the Graham Legatt Trophy won't be decided until the end of 2009. The Fan 590 was a hot mover this round, despite Bob McCown's best efforts, but it's still The Toronto Star and The Toronto Sun battling it out on the top of the table. Keep your eye on the table by scrolling down the right side of the page!

TFC Media League - Round 6

The actual MLS playoffs may be around the corner but the race for the Graham Leggat Trophy is still in mid-season! The Toronto Star still holds a slim lead over its rival Toronto Sun but it was Rogers Sportsnet who made the big jump in the table this round. "The Teds" may make it interesting but the two dailys look like they may be the Celtic and Rangers of this league. Scroll down the right side of the page to see the table and follow who is Toronto's most TFC-friendly media outlet.

TFC Media League - Round 5

TFC's playoff push, or ambush depending on your view, continues to roll on and the local media is keeping tabs. And, as usual it's The Yorkies keeping tabs on those keeping tabs. You know what drink I miss? Tab. Either way, it's Round 5 of the TFC Media League and there's been a change at the top as The Toronto Star aka Blue Star Toronto jump over rival The Sun. AM640 made a mid-table jump while TSN is speeding towards relegation. You can check the complete table by scrolling down the right side of this page.

TFC Media League - Round 4

Well, TFC managed to do what was needed to move up the table this weekend but what of the media that covers them? The race for the first Graham Leggat Trophy is heating up!

Round 4 of the TFC Media League sees the race at the top stay tight as Toronto's two main dailies, the Sun and Star, battle it out but the National Post got some valuable points. "The Nats" poured a lot of coverage on the Real Madrid madness so we will have to see if their coverage remains strong as the regular season resumes.

TSN is propping up the league from deep in last. The relegation bound "Sports" network still treats TFC somewhere above bowling and far below any story about an Ottawa Senators' fourth liner's plans for the summer. Scroll down the right hand side of the page for the latest full table.

TFC Media League - Round 3

CONCACAF Champions League may be hanging by a thread but there's no reason not to check out the TFC Media League! The Yorkies' league, which tracks the quality of local media coverage of TFC, is heating up! The Toronto Sun takes a slim lead this round, pipping its arch rival the Star by 1 point. The mid table is tight and "The Teds" aka Rogers Sportsnet along with The Fan 590 had strong showings. Keep an eye on the table by scrolling down the right hand side of the site.

TFC Media League - Round 2

The TFC Media League is really heating up as we enter the second week. For those of you who are new to the site, the league ranks the local Toronto media based on their coverage of Toronto FC. You can find the original article in the archives for more details of how the clubs will challenge for the Graham Leggat Trophy.

The second round sees The Toronto Star grab hold of top spot while AM640, expected to be a minnow in the league, jump up into the thick of the table. TSN is still showing poorly, cemented at the bottom of the league - and it's not even hockey season! You can follow the league anytime by scrolling down the right side of the page where the table is always listed. Until next round...

TFC Media League - Round 1

Welcome to the inaugural week of the TFC Media League. The race for the Graham Leggat Trophy has begun and so far it's the Toronto Sun in the very early lead. The Sunshine Boys have their arch-enemy Toronto Star right behind them and The Score not too far behind. Will the Sunshine Boys, Blue Star Toronto and The Sharmen be this season's big three? Check back regularly for updated tables.

1. -Toronto Sun------ 6
2. -Toronto Star----- 5
3. -The Score-------- 4
4. -CBC Sports------- 2
5. -Sportsnet---------2
6. -The Fan590------ 2
7. -AM640------------ 1
8. -Globe & Mail----- 1
9. -National Post-----1
10. TSN--------------- 1

The Yorkies Present: TFC Media League 2009

Regular readers of The Yorkies' site know that one of our aims is to shed light on the fairly poor coverage of Toronto FC in the local mainstream media. In order to illustrate this, and positive coverage as well, we are set to unveil The Yorkies' "TFC Media League".

The league will be a year-long tally featuring local media outlets vying to win the prestigious Graham Leggat Trophy named for the Scottish pioneer of Canadian football broadcasting.

Readers will be able to follow the Media League on a regular basis as the table will be posted here on the site illustrating how well, or poorly, the individual media "clubs" are covering The Reds.

Points will be awarded based on the amount and quality of coverage.

1 point will go to a "club" for a match-related preview, recap or highlight package occurring on or around match day. Minor reports such as blogs and web-only features are also only worth 1 point, the same for regularly scheduled soccer shows.

3 points will be awarded when a "club" produces coverage of TFC which isn't directly match-related. For example, if an article or piece is produced mid-week pertaining to a transfer rumour, player profiles or general investigative journalism relating to TFC, 3 points will be awarded. The piece must appear in the outlet's main coverage, not only in an online version.

The "clubs" involved will represent major media outlets and all of their various arms including websites and blogs. Specialty channels such as GOL-TV will not be included as their football-only coverage skews their content. It is the regular daily media that reaches Joe Public, and can do so much to propel TFC in the city, who will play for the trophy which will be awarded at year's end.

The "clubs" for the 2009 season are:

The Toronto Star
The Toronto Sun
The Globe & Mail
The National Post
The FAN 590
AM 640
Rogers Sportsnet
TSN
CBC Sports
The Score

The opening table will be posted soon so stay connected to The Yorkies and follow the TFC Media League 2009!