So, on the Fan590 this morning, word was that the new Bell/Rogers ownership did not like Burke at all from the start. They didn't care for his methods and his overall behaviour/personality. He was very combative with the media in Toronto, which is largely owned by Bell and Rogers so I'm sure that didn't help too much. Sounds like they wanted a more "corporate" person in there to be the face of the team, for whatever reason.
Burke's record in Toronto speaks for itself. I don't think anyone doubted his time in Toronto was coming to an end sooner or later. The biggest surprise in all this was the timing. Why now? Why not a few months ago?
I can understand wanting to start the season with the GM you want, but that should have been done long ago as it sounds like these discussions have been going on for some time with ownership.
If they let it go this far, they at least deserved to give Burke the benefit of a 48-game season to try and do something with what he put together. The new CBA has Burke's finger prints all over it.
The Luongo "situation" may have played into this but I don't think it was the main factor, if one at all. He may have told ownership he has no interest in trading for Luongo or that the price that was being asked was way too high (which Nonis agrees with from what I hear) or that the contract was way too long etc... but the GM is the guy that should be making those decisions. Ownership should not be getting into those details and trying to control those decisions.
I'm sure pieces of the truth will leak out eventually. Some media have mentioned that since his son's death, he has not been the same, which is understandable. Some mentioned that he was more aggressive and angry with the media. Maybe that was a factor too. Who knows.
As always, never a dull moment here in Toronto. The donkey rodeo continues...