An eight-month winless slump for the Saskatchewan Roughriders has affected not only fan morale but is also hurting the restaurant industry’s bottom line in Regina.
The Riders have not won a game in 253 days, and it’s been 295 days since the green and white saw a victory at Mosaic Stadium.
“It’s sort of disappointing when you see blown coverage right?,” Riders fan Darcy Schetz explained.
“Like this last game (against the B.C. Lions), the long plays. That’s the disappointing part because that’s a major mistake,” he said.
Fan disappointment has translated to losses in the restaurant industry.
According to co-owner of Lancaster Taphouse, Tim Rogers, the pub experienced drastic drops in sales when the Riders finished the season with an abysmal 3-15 record and failed to make the playoffs last year.
“We probably lost $30,000 to $40,000 in sales last year just with that slide,” Rogers said.
It’s a similar story around the city. At Bushwakker, bar manager Grant Frew said the scene changes dramatically when Riders post a loss at home.
“When the Riders lose, it’s definitely subdued, not as loud, not as boisterous,” he said.
“Just the energy in the room, people are a lot more quiet, and drinking their beer more quietly.”
Adding insult to injury, supporters say it’s the same old story with Darian Durant.
Durant suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday’s game against the B.C. Lions.
READ MORE: Darian Durant’s health key to Saskatchewan Roughriders resurgence in 2016
“I just thought oh my God, not again,” Riders fan Callum McGinn quipped.
“I think the riders got to get rid of him actually.”
However, bar owners said the wins are up to the team, not them. They’re hoping at least their glasses will be full come game time.
“We’re not getting blown out of the water right now, we’re just not winning,” Rogers said.
“I think once they find their way, we’re going to have a good time everywhere.”
There are still 15 games left for the Riders. The Riders take on the Ottawa Red Blacks at Mosaic Stadium at 7 o’clock on Friday.
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