Airing this fall on TSN, the all-access documentary explores the historical to modern-day rivalry between two of the CFL’s most iconic franchises
TORONTO (August 18, 2022) – Athlete empowerment brand UNINTERRUPTED Canada, the Canadian Football League (CFL), Bell Media and OK Tire announced today the production of a new feature documentary, RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES, chronicling the longstanding rivalry between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Argos and Ticats have one of the most storied competitive histories in the CFL and North American sports. The two southern Ontario clubs’ annual clash – the Labour Day Classic – dates back to the 1950s and has become destination viewing for Canadian sports fans, making it one of the longest-standing rivalries in pro football history.
UNINTERRUPTED Canada offers an all-access feature documentary along with exclusive, behind-the-scenes social media moments, tracing the teams’ journey in the 2022 season to their annual September showdown. The documentary will present the teams’ up-and-coming and veteran stars and introduce them to a new generation of fans, while contextualizing the historical tension between the clubs.
RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES will shine the spotlight on the compelling personal stories of Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and linebacker Henoc Muamba, and their respective Hamilton Tiger-Cats counterparts, Dane Evans and Simoni Lawrence.
The film will also pay homage to the fans and their devotion to their respective teams, while highlighting the unique passion of diehard supporters in southern Ontario.
RIVALRIES is sponsored by OK Tire in association with Blackhawk Tire – the title sponsor of the CFL’s Labour Day matchups.
Bell Media delivers RIVALRIES: THE QEW SERIES exclusively to viewers across Canada on TSN, with the hour-long film set to premiere in Fall 2022.
QUOTES
“The fierce and bitter tradition between the Argos and the Ticats has been handed down from generation to generation. We’re thankful to the CFL and both franchises for allowing us inside their front offices and locker rooms to showcase the many engaging personalities and the emotional journey that culminates each year with the Labour Day Classic.” – Scott Moore, CEO, UNINTERRUPTED Canada
“OK Tire Labour Day Weekend is a CFL holiday tradition and we’re thrilled to present a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at this storied matchup between the Argos and the Ticats. Intense rivalries and the inspiring stories of our players are at the heart of our league, and our incredible fans are the lifeblood that spreads the passion that the CFL is known for. We’re excited to share this next chapter of the Labour Day Classic with new fans, while celebrating all those who have helped build this rivalry for generations.” – Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner, Canadian Football League
“Separated by less than 70 km in Southern Ontario, the storied history of these two teams is one of the most compelling through-lines in Canadian sports. We’re thrilled to showcase this documentary, which gives an intimate, behind-the-scenes view of what makes these franchises so special, and explores the unwavering passion behind this great Canadian rivalry. It will be one football fans won’t want to miss.” – Shawn Redmond, VP, Bell Media Sports
“As a longtime CFL fan, I’ve been personally invested in the passion that embodies CFL rivalries. OK Tire and Blackhawk Tires are excited to be a part of helping bring fans an inside look behind the scenes of the Labour Day Classic, always a key date on the Canadian sports calendar.” – Jim Bethune, President and CEO, OK Tire
About UNINTERRUPTED Canada:
UNINTERRUPTED Canada, co-led by CEO Scott Moore and Chief Content Officer Vinay Virmani, in partnership with Drake, is the first international expansion of the athlete empowerment brand, UNINTERRUPTED, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. The company is built upon the radical idea that all athletes should have a platform to express themselves without intermediaries. From this premise, a mission was born: to empower athletes from all walks of life to communicate in an unimpeded way and to be More Than an Athlete. UNINTERRUPTED is upending the world of sports media by working with athletes to tell unique, human stories from their point of view. Through content, products, events, partnerships, and educational opportunities, UNINTERRUPTED is changing the way athletes engage with the public and empowering them to be known and valued for more than the sport they play.
Built on a foundation of more than 110 years of football tradition and history, the Canadian Football League features nine teams, millions of fans and a commitment to service to the community, as well as, elite sport. To stay up to date with CFL news, visit CFL.ca.
About Bell Media:
Bell Media is Canada’s leading content creation company with premier assets in television, radio, digital and out-of-home media, including 35 television stations that are part of the CTV and Noovo networks; 27 specialty channels, including sports leaders TSN and RDS; bilingual TV and streaming service Crave; the iHeartRadio Canada brand encompassing 215 music channels, including 109 radio stations in 58 Canadian markets; and the Astral out-of-home advertising network. Bell Media is also a partner in Pinewood Toronto Studios, Montréal’s Grande Studios, Just for Laughs and Dome Productions, one of North America’s leading production facilities providers. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Learn more at BellMedia.ca.
About OK Tire:
OK Tire is the largest independent tire and auto service retailer network in Canada. Part of the Canadian landscape since 1953, there are more than 325 independently owned and operated OK Tire locations across the country offering a full range of both retail and commercial services. Each franchise is unique within its geographical area, tailoring its offerings to meet customers’ needs and covering everything from the front bumper to the back. Customers can count on national support as well as the personal service of a local owner who lives in, shops in, and supports their community. www.oktire.com|www.commercial.oktire.com
Mark Perry is the founder and editor of CFL News Hub. A dedicated and experienced football analyst, he has been providing comprehensive coverage of the sport since 2018.
