To unite Quebecers

DAY

The image charmed people on the spot. Pierre Karl Péladeau arrived with his wife Pascale and the youngest of his children, Henri who will soon be 3 years old and Gabriel, aged one and a half. The two little guys were wearing Alouettes jerseys. Perhaps it was a way of distinguishing between personal investment and business transaction.

Mr. Péladeau was very clear on this during the 68 minutes he answered questions from journalists at the Olympic Stadium. 

He bought the Alouettes because he makes it an affair of the heart. Because he loves Montreal, because sport unites cultures.

Also, the fact that the new head coach Jason Maas is unilingual Anglophone does not bother his independence convictions.

< p>“It doesn't bother me at all. »

« Sport brings people together. It unites people. »

Nothing could be more true.

We find federalists, nationalists, separatists, people from different cultures at Canadian games. They all applaud the players' good moves together.

That's what sport is.

Attend a sporting event, a symphony concert, a play or a rock party is a mode of escape. We are in a bubble that makes us forget the miseries of life.

Beyond the TV contract

When Mr. Péladeau attends his team's games, he himself will be in the shoes of a fan who wants to win. 

He wouldn't have bought the Alouettes if he had wanted make it a matter of business.

The Sports Network holds the rights to broadcast the games until 2026.

Will it be funny to see RDS presenting meetings with a team belonging to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor?

No doubt, but Mr. Péladeau is not paying attention to it for the moment; his hands are tied by the agreement between RDS and the CFL.

We'll talk about it in five years.

Used to rough waters

Business people are used to sailing in rough seas and often unknown.

In this regard, Mr. Péladeau said that many people had questioned his ability to lead a large ship like Videotron, which he acquired in 2000.

They said he knew nothing about cable television. But he rushed into the adventure.

Now he's set foot in Canadian football, a league that works well in small markets, but is lagging in the big centers of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Quelle a was the reaction of the people working around him?

“Honestly, she was very enthusiastic! he said aloud.

“It shows the pride that I have referred to many times since I have been with you today. »

“I have made transactions of it in my life, I have bought business from it. Whether it's printing presses in Belgium, newspapers in British Columbia.

“Since Herb Zurkowsky released his paper [journalist at the Montreal Gazette which was the first to speak of the interest of “PKP ” for the Alouettes], I receive positive messages, text messages or emails. »

“It shows the pride, not just for Pierre Karl Péladeau, that we derive in Montreal from seeing a local owner, a person who will not hesitate to invest, someone who is proud of his team, someone who is proud of the environment in which it has evolved for many years. »

70 years later 

It was 70 years since the Alouettes had been a French property, that said without taking anything away to the owners who have paraded among the “Sparrows” since their creation in 1946 and their rebirth in 1996.

Ironically, this francophone was part of the trio that founded the Alouettes. He stayed until 1953.

Léo Dandurand was born in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He arrived in Montreal at age 16 and attended Sainte-Marie College. 

Co-owner of the Canadiens from 1921 to 1935, he was also involved in horse racing, boxing, wrestling and baseball.

Those who knew him said that everything he touched turned to gold. 

It was Pierre Karl Péladeau's turn to do the same.  

Employees very happy 

A feeling of joy animated the assistant coaches and employees of the Alouettes present at the press conference held yesterday morning in the third passageway at the Olympic Stadium.

The people we met were happy to have a Quebec owner at the head of the team.

Pierre Karl Péladeau had spoken to them before appearing in front of the journalists,

“It was a really great game,” said Byron Archambault, former Université de Montréal Carabins color holder who serves as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach.

“The atmosphere was frank, we felt that it came from the heart. »

From last to first

The Alouettes' roster has become more French since football has grown in popularity in universities, colleges and secondary schools in Quebec.

In the past, this sport was the prerogative of Anglophones, who still produce good players. 

Francophones caught up with them 20 years ago.

“It's important, a continued Archambault.

“At the player level, we have Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Pier-Olivier Lestage and many others.

“Within football operations, there is Jean- Marc Edmé, Pierre-Yves Lavergne, Nicolas Deslauriers, myself. »

Not to mention of course Danny Maciocia, who is currently lounging on a cruise, and Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, who is also an outstanding ambassador for the organization.

Pride shared

“We are proud to be part of the Alouettes, said Archambault.

“We grew up watching their games on television. We are proud of what we do and it is nice to have an owner who shares this pride [of being Quebecers]. »