As mentioned in today's Morning Brew, the prospects for a packed house for tomorrow's Bills/Steelers exhibition game aren't looking too good. In an effort to save face and boost sales, Toronto Tourism has street teams out in the Financial District this week trying to convince un-enthused Torontonians to care.

Written by guest contributor Bryen Dunn.

Despite Toronto's lack of winning sports teams, there still seems to be a thirst for high profile sporting events in this city, but at what expense? The upcoming Major League of Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game this evening may prove to be a healing factor for the boisterous fans who recently watched the Toronto FC get eliminated from a spot in the Champions League tourney.

The biggest names of the MLS will face off against West Ham United at 7pm down at BMO field. This is only the fifth such meeting of these international sports heroes, so we should feel privileged to have this opportunity. But with tickets in the hundred dollar plus price range, it's most likely only the financially privileged who will be in attendance. Apparently there's a new section of tickets available starting at $42.00 if you don't mind sitting up with the pigeons.

The Toronto FC played to a draw against the Montreal Impact Tuesday night, failing in their bid for a Champions League berth. But before my companions and I reached our seats, thanks to logistics and camera policy, the TFC had pretty well lost us as fans.

This was the first TFC match for any of us, so naturally we were pretty excited. And as much as I prefer using transit, it made the most sense for us to drive and park. Despite being on Lakeshore, east of Jameson, with 45 minutes to start time, we didn't get to our seats until 35 minutes into the first half.

And they forced us to check our decidedly non-professional camera, due to the non-professional lens.

Until recently, I thought all drunk jays fans were the same. It wasn't until I read the funniest sports blog in the city that I could tell the difference.

For over a season and a half of ups and downs but generally mediocre baseball, Drunk Jays Fans writers, Andrew Stoeten, Dustin Parkes and Justin Bergkamp, have maintained a steady flow of posts each week after heart-breaking week following the Toronto Blue Jays. Irreverent and intelligent, Drunk Jays Fans doesn't shy away from comment or criticism on everything from baseball broadcasters and writers to players and fans. The site's combination of laugh out loud crudeness and impassioned observations make it both entertaining and insightful.

Written by guest contributor Kenneth Wong.

On the eve of the NBA Draft, our hometown Toronto Raptors have made a huge change to the organization by acquiring all-star centre Jermaine O'Neal from the Indiana Pacers. In the deal, the Raptors give up TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and their 2008 17th pick (all pending physicals).

It's obvious why Brian Colangelo traded Ford, Nesterovic, and the 17th Pick. Ford was expendable after Jose Calderon proved he could play as an all-start caliber point guard in the NBA by putting up 11.2Pts, 2.9Rebs, and 8.3Asts all in 30mins:18secs a game. Add on the three years left on his contract ($25.5million for the next three seasons), it was obvious throughout the NBA that Colangelo was going to deal one of the two starting point guards, turns out it was Ford. Rasho Nesterovic and his $8.4 million contract, which ends in 2008, was simply a salary dump. With respect to the 17th pick in the draft, the pick could turn out to be between a number of players. But in my opinion, this trade was to win now and with all due respect to Rasho, he isn't the type of player to bring us a championship.

Now that Colangelo has made yet another great trade for the Raptors, on paper, it seems like the Raptors have a great chance to compete with the newly crowned champions, the Boston Celtics, and even match-up against some of the best teams in the West. With this trade comes a new style of basketball for the Raptors. Instead of spreading the floor, using fast breaks, and trying to score with ball movement, the Raptors will turn into a half-court style offense. The front line of O'Neal, Bosh, and Bargnani, who are 6'11, 6'10, and 6'10 respectively, will bring Toronto the size it has always wanted but could never find.

If you are not a big fan of soccer, I would agree with you, the Euro and World Cup are nothing but an annoying nuance nuisance to the city. It all seems a little over the top when you don't care that much and to be honest, taking street cars, taxis or driving is a hassle, even when you think you're taking a short cut, you inevitably run into a pack of fans in one niched corner of the city blocking traffic and waving flags.

Fortunately I've experienced the other side of soccer in this city. Although I am not much a fan of the sport in and of itself, I am a fan of the fans of the sport. Sitting in a bar with even just a dozen of any exuberant fans is contagious, and I suddenly feel compelled to care. It really is one sign of the greatness of our city.