The CAHA faced issues with the professional-style operation of its top-level senior teams during the 1950 Allan Cup playoffs.[1]Conn Smythe threatened that the Toronto Marlboros senior team would not continue the playoffs unless the CAHA guaranteed the team against financial losses for travel to the finals in Calgary, and claimed that it cost C$2,000 per week to keep the team operational.[1][2] Although the CAHA offered to pay tourist-class train tickets, the Marlboros insisted they travelled only by first-class accommodations.[3]The London Free Press sports editor Jack Park, wrote that Smythe did not appreciate the prestige of winning the Allan Cup, and that the CAHA was essentially sponsoring teams by covering travel expenses. Park speculated that amateur hockey might be fading away, and that teams in larger cities would rather operate openly as professional to have more control over player salaries due to the competition for talent.[1]