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Toronto Star
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'
There was a time back in the 1990s when Steve Vogelsang was known as the 'sexiest man in Winnipeg.' A former sportscaster, college instructor and executive with True North Sports and Entertainment, Vogelsang helped several Winnipeggers shape their careers. So when the Saskatoon native was arrested in 2017 for sticking up banks in Saskatchewan and Alberta, his once made-for-TV persona became rife with static. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'It raises a lot of questions,' said Charlie Siskel, a director and producer for 'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg,' a new documentary detailing Vogelsang's rise and fall that releases Friday on Amazon's Prime Video. 'What happened to this guy? Why did he end up robbing a bunch of banks? Why did he do it in such theatrically ridiculous fashion?' Vogelsang was sentenced in 2019 to six and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to a string of bank robberies in Saskatchewan and Alberta between July and October 2017. In one case, he walked into a Regina bank with a fake bomb strapped to his chest, slid a note to the teller demanding $50,000 and pleaded for help, saying 'They've got my grandson.' On its face, it's a ridiculous but tragic story, says co-director Ben Daughtrey. 'We decided to embrace both sides of Steve's personality,' he said in an interview. 'He is genuinely a funny person, but there's also something ultimately tragic about a person going to these depths to try to change his life.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In an interview from Washington state, Siskel said the documentary has been in the works since Vogelsang's release from prison. Vogelsang himself was involved in its making, re-enacting elements and sharing his thoughts for the cameras. The documentary also hears from several current and former Winnipeg reporters who knew Vogelsang and recall their shock at learning he had been arrested. 'The film is a character study, ultimately,' he said. 'Not so much a whodunit because we know who committed the crimes, but a whydunit.' Vogelsang's trial heard the former broadcaster's marriage had fallen apart, his prescribed medication for depression wasn't working and he was deep in debt from lengthy unemployment. Asked why Vogelsang gets a documentary when ordinary people convicted of bank robberies don't, Siskel said humans are obsessed with true crime and fame. His crimes were minor, so it's all the more surprising, the director said, that Vogelsang thought it was his way back. 'What is it about these crimes and criminals and crime stories that so fascinates the public and makes such a ready market for these kinds of stories ... Is this all fame seeking on his part? ... What role do we have in turning these people back into celebrities?' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Siskel said the viewer should 'play jury' when watching the documentary. Was Vogelsang 'some sort of monster,' he said, or an ordinary person who got a taste of fame, lost it and went about a 'weird way' of getting it back? Siskel adds that Vogelsang routinely points out in the film that he doesn't want 'that much fame.' But Siskel thinks otherwise. 'I do think that fame and fame seeking is at the heart of Steve's story,' he said. 'I think there is an element of redemption in the sense that Steve is coming to terms with his own past and his choices. 'Is it a redemption story, is it exposing the deep flaws of another human being, or is it something in between?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'
There was a time back in the 1990s when Steve Vogelsang was known as the 'sexiest man in Winnipeg.' A former sportscaster, college instructor and executive with True North Sports and Entertainment, Vogelsang helped several Winnipeggers shape their careers. So when the Saskatoon native was arrested in 2017 for sticking up banks in Saskatchewan and Alberta, his once made-for-TV persona became rife with static. 'It raises a lot of questions,' said Charlie Siskel, a director and producer for 'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg,' a new documentary detailing Vogelsang's rise and fall that releases Friday on Amazon's Prime Video. 'What happened to this guy? Why did he end up robbing a bunch of banks? Why did he do it in such theatrically ridiculous fashion?' Vogelsang was sentenced in 2019 to six and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to a string of bank robberies in Saskatchewan and Alberta between July and October 2017. In one case, he walked into a Regina bank with a fake bomb strapped to his chest, slid a note to the teller demanding $50,000 and pleaded for help, saying 'They've got my grandson.' On its face, it's a ridiculous but tragic story, says co-director Ben Daughtrey. 'We decided to embrace both sides of Steve's personality,' he said in an interview. 'He is genuinely a funny person, but there's also something ultimately tragic about a person going to these depths to try to change his life.' In an interview from Washington state, Siskel said the documentary has been in the works since Vogelsang's release from prison. Vogelsang himself was involved in its making, re-enacting elements and sharing his thoughts for the cameras. The documentary also hears from several current and former Winnipeg reporters who knew Vogelsang and recall their shock at learning he had been arrested. 'The film is a character study, ultimately,' he said. 'Not so much a whodunit because we know who committed the crimes, but a whydunit.' Vogelsang's trial heard the former broadcaster's marriage had fallen apart, his prescribed medication for depression wasn't working and he was deep in debt from lengthy unemployment. Asked why Vogelsang gets a documentary when ordinary people convicted of bank robberies don't, Siskel said humans are obsessed with true crime and fame. His crimes were minor, so it's all the more surprising, the director said, that Vogelsang thought it was his way back. 'What is it about these crimes and criminals and crime stories that so fascinates the public and makes such a ready market for these kinds of stories … Is this all fame seeking on his part? … What role do we have in turning these people back into celebrities?' Siskel said the viewer should 'play jury' when watching the documentary. Was Vogelsang 'some sort of monster,' he said, or an ordinary person who got a taste of fame, lost it and went about a 'weird way' of getting it back? Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Siskel adds that Vogelsang routinely points out in the film that he doesn't want 'that much fame.' But Siskel thinks otherwise. 'I do think that fame and fame seeking is at the heart of Steve's story,' he said. 'I think there is an element of redemption in the sense that Steve is coming to terms with his own past and his choices. 'Is it a redemption story, is it exposing the deep flaws of another human being, or is it something in between?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Winnipeg Jets playoff run generates 'invaluable' free publicity for city
The success of the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL playoffs so far this season has done more than lift the spirits of hockey fans — it has given the city a wealth of free exposure. The televised hockey games — and the accompanying whiteout street parties — have put a spotlight on the city and its downtown. It's too soon to know the full economic impact of the games and parties, which draw an estimated 22,000 people to the events, a spokesperson for True North Sports and Entertainment said in an email statement. "The broader exposure of the Whiteout, for the sport, the Jets and our city, is invaluable," spokesperson Krista Sinaisky wrote. Economic Development Winnipeg has contributed up to $90,000 to the parties through the City of Winnipeg's special event tourism fund. It also partnered with 10 social media content creators from across Canada and the U.S. to come to Winnipeg and promote the games. That content generated 58 million views, worth about $2 million worth of "earned media," said Natalie Thiesen, vice-president of tourism. "That ability to position our city in a different way and having more eyeballs on Winnipeg, allows us to do our jobs and extend our reach in a way that our budget doesn't allow," she said. Paying to promote the city on a television program with the level of viewership of an NHL game doesn't come cheap, said Martin Fisher, CEO of Show and Tell Agency, a Winnipeg-based advertising firm. "You probably would end up having to spend about $1.5 million, $2 million to get the number of eyeballs that would have seen that on a … North American basis … You're into Super Bowl kind of money," said Fisher. WATCH | Fans, local businesses look forward to 2nd round of playoffs: The whiteout parties began in 2018. An analysis from Economic Development Winnipeg found the event saw 120,500 people attended the parties over the course of the six weeks the Jets were in the playoffs that year. That did not include the 15,000 people watching the game inside the arena or at downtown bars, restaurants and other places. In terms of "earned media" — essentially third-party publicity without direct payment — Economic Development Winnipeg calculated the value at roughly $2.2 million, including nearly 400 separate news articles with a reach of over 233 million views. The total cost of the party in 2018 was $2,167,000, including $1,084,000 from True North Sports and Entertainment, $120,000 from Economic Development Winnipeg and $962,000 from the City of Winnipeg, not including $153,000 it received from True North to cover extra policing and transit costs. Felicia Wiltshire, communications director for the City of Winnipeg, said in an email the city may also provide additional "in-kind" services, and is heavily involved in planning and execution of the events including any necessary road closures, city beautification and other work.
CBC
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Riley Green replaces Jason Aldean at Winnipeg concert slated for July 10
Alabama country singer Riley Green has replaced Jason Aldean as the headliner for the Country Thunder concert slated for Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium on July 10, True North Sports and Entertainment announced Thursday. Opening acts Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith and Madeline Merlo remain on the bill for the concert, the second in a two-night series that includes a Rockin' Thunder event on July 9 featuring Def Leppard, Joan Jett Foreigner and Toque. Aldean's performance in Winnipeg was scrapped due to a scheduling conflict, True North said. "Regretfully, an unforeseen conflict arose with Winnipeg's concert date, which is the only factor in the cancellation," True North said in a statement. Aldean is still slated to play Craven, Sask. on July 11. In January, Aldean performed at an inaugural ball for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has spent months musing about the use of economic leverage to annex Canada.
