To mikem -
I tend to feel a lot more optimistic about the CFL’s future and for an East Coast team. If my memory is correct, the CFL conducted a poll (last year) and found that the CFL was watched quite regularly amongst Canadians - as much as the NFL. Also, there was a lot of interest in a Halifax team just prior to COVID - due to that time the momentum was lost. I hope it can be brought back. Let’s start thinking positively about the CFL growing!
Yes there was interest in a Halifax team prior to COVID. But it’s meaningless if there are no investors and no funding from the HRM/province for a CFL stadium.
The HRM had promised $20 Million towards the land sale for the stadium. But the Halifax ownership group had no money themselves, to contribute to a stadium.
Yes let’s be optimistic about the CFL’s future but that doesn’t have to be about expansion. The problem area is Toronto, the largest population base in Canada and they have trouble drawing 12k to a game. MLSE has saved football in Toronto and they continue to pay the bills and put up with the small crowds year after year and never threaten to sell the team.
We need to stop talking about this expansion nonsense, we have been talking about it on this site since I came aboard in 2006.
Again, I disagree - just because expansion failed in Halifax a couple of years ago, we need to remember that it was due to a pandemic that got in the way. There is absolutely no reason why expansion ideas should stop. Canada is a growing country and our game is a great spectator sport - if backers were close to finishing the deal in Halifax a couple of years ago - then they or others will try again. To believe that trying grow the game and not to have other fans included - well that in itself is nonsense! Every game played in Nova Scotia has been a sell out - don’t use Toronto as an example to discourage expansion efforts - if anything it proves that expansion is needed.
I think was XFL cause rock owns it and he has CFL Roots.
I really don’t watch that much TV it wouldn’t be worth the money
I watch a little bit of sport over the antenna and a few other stuff as long as it’s free
When you live on a fixed income you have to make choices
I grew up in a family that could never afford cable so I became used to it.
Now that I can afford it I just don’t want to spend money on it. I also don’t want more options that can draw me into more time watching TV.
Just cleaned up a bunch of replies that were getting off topic.
Let’s try to keep things focused moving forward. Thanks!
I thought this was a pretty fair assessment of Ambrosie’s time as commissioner.
Mr Johnston get rid of the Globals! This only takes jobs from Canadians and doesn’t get an international following for the CFL. A bad idea by Randy Ambrosie.
Also put more emphasis on speeding up, not slowing down the game. Get rid of automatic reviews for all scoring plays and turnovers and get rid of the challenges. Just let the on field officials do their job. And please fire Davis Sanchez. He is really annoying!
Welcome to the forum. Globals is a great thing for the CFL created by the best Commissioner the CFL has ever had.
Speeding up the game is ideal. I’ll give you that one.
Sanchez is not for everyone but the new commissioner most likely has a friendly relationship with him given his former position.
Couple observations. Lyle has been oddly silent. Secondly, expansion into the USA on the new commishes agenda? Not likely unless we managed to fix the ratio issue that is illegal down south.
Never going to happen. Two years ago there were the talks between the CFL and XFL about a relationship/merger. That was dead because the XFL/UFL play their games Feb to June which is the NFL/NCAA off season. The CFL wouldn’t switch the season earlier and CFL fans wouldn’t want that and there is no way that US fans are going to watch another league from Aug to Nov.
And I don’t think there are any stadiums in the US that could accommodate a CFL field.
I hope that expansion is NOT on the new Commishes agenda, if it is he is off to a bad start. Expansion is the last thing the CFL needs
You still didn’t address the ratio. It is or was illegal in the US. That is the biggest issue since playing against all American teams won’t work long term. They have too many players to choose from.
I agree that USA expansion isn’t happening any time soon based on what I’ve seen coming from the league office.
As far as the ratio being an obstacle, I’m not convinced. However, the punishment for not abiding by the ratio is just a fine. In a scenario where a Canadian team was playing an American team, the Canadian team could choose to not follow the ratio rules in that game only.
https://3downnation.com/2021/11/27/ticats-fined-for-violating-canadian-ratio-rule-against-riders/
I wouldn’t have an issue with the CFL not enforcing the ratio rule against American competition.
The Commish should be looking at reducing the Canadian content, coaches are always juggling to meet the ratio. The ratio means that all teams scramble to sign as many Cdn O-linemen possible so they can fill the talent positions with Americans plus the safety position and that one Cdn receiver.
Just not enough good Canadians coming out of Usports to fill all the starting positions. Not enough young people playing football because highs schools have cut their football programs and the most talented elite players are recruited to play their final couple of years at a US high school and then the NCAA. A few will come back to play in the CFL at the talent positions, like Rourke and a few others.
The ratio has to be addressed by the new Commish
They tried to do it in 2022 and the CFLPA didn’t agree. The next CBA will be interesting and I’m sure the ratio will be under attack again.
Whenever the ratio is examined, and long, long before any more ideas on US expansion including especially as long as there is a UFL with NFL-backing behind its curtain, the CFL will consider the situation with the ratio once again on a business basis with the CFLPA well before one gets into any of the legalities on the US side of the border. I’ve been over that “legal” part before, but it’s a fruitless discussion until after the next discussion in Canada on the matter, if not altogether given no current realistic prospects for US expansion.
In short, any talk of US expansion and legalities is well, well ahead of itself, much like 15 years ago on this forum with the talk of expansion in general, especially without private investment at least in part and a dedicated modern venue for any such team.
At a time when our country is fighting to be recognized as a separate and independent nation, I find it disturbing to read how some “supposed” CFL supporters want to lessen the Canadian content, with fewer Canadian players and to also do not want to grow our game within Canada. Sorry, but you people are not true CFL fans. For far too many years, a lot of people have tried to bring our game to the East Coast - the people there want it, every game played there is a sell out - surely there are other investors who want to see the game grow there - and hopefully there are more fans across Canada want that too. As for the naysayers - a pox upon you! if you want to talk about lowering ratios, the fewer of you the better!
Not good enough IMHO. We need to go the extra mile in developing our home grown talent. Kids need elite coaching and elite competition early on to get them where they need to be post secondary. General lack of this means more time on the PR later. The ratio protects that development time.
Thats the job and teams need more investment in youth ball, not less.
Primary reason for raising this issue is that the league seemed to be caught off guard in the 90’s when the matter was raised in court. Was hoping in the past thirty years a solution other than “ignoring the ratio” was imagined. I am absolutely against US expansion unless the ratio can be maintained or we achieve more equilibrium in development.
The next issue that’s been raised lately is that of the “spider cam”. Is it not possible to install the cable in every stadium, have the camera mounted pregame and then remote piloted from the command center? The local crew would then use the feed as they see fit. No need for a second crew on site every game. This angle is eye candy for the TV viewer.