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Harold Ballard

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Sports Executive

The Resume

    (June 30, 1903-April 11, 1990)
    Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Birth name was Edwin Harold Ballard
    Owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs (1961-90) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1978-88)
    Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (1977) and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1987)

Why he might be annoying:

    He is considered arguably the most hated sports figure in Toronto history.
    Upon his death, it was revealed he cheated on his wife and offered his mistress a pittance of his fortune.
    Similar to the situation in Chicago prior to 2007, many former Leafs who played for the team during his ownership refuse to associate themselves with the team.
    He came up with an idea to introduce a penalty box into soccer, an idea that was automatically denied by FIFA.
    He actually lived inside Maple Leaf Gardens.
    He was so disgusted when the Beatles played two shows at Maple Leaf Gardens he demanded the heat be turned off and tripled the price of concession items.
    He was charged with tax evasion (1969).
    Upon his release from prison, he became a cheapskate and micromanaged the team.
    He protested the use of letters on the uniform, requesting the team's equipment staff to stitch the lettering the same color as the jersey.
    He made the Leafs a perennial laughingstock during the 1970's and 1980's.
    He made a sexist remark about media personality Barbara Frum by stating 'Women are best in one position -- on their backs.'
    He once made his coach Roger Neilson wear a paper bag over his head during a game.
    He stole team equipment and sold it to collectors.
    He was considered the ringleader behind the Maple Leaf Gardens sex scandal which was eventually made public during the late 1990's.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was an avid fan of ice sports and frequently would attend events to promote his skate company.
    In addition to his love of ice sports, he was involved in boating events during the summer months.
    He served as a minority owner for the Leafs during the team's dynasty run during the 1960's.
    He earned four Stanley Cup rings (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967) and a Grey Cup ring (1986) in an ownership capacity.
    While he was despised by many in the hockey community, he had a close friendship with one time Leaf Tiger Williams.
    Despite the controversies in his personal and professional lives, he was seen as a generous man by friends.
    He was a Freemason.

Credit: Ricky


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 49 Votes: 67.35% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 25 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 73.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 67 Votes: 62.69% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 105 Votes: 69.52% Annoying