Where and What is Next

CFL Talk
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Well here we are. I have been over a long period of time been an on & off CFL fan. But when the season rolls around, I watch my team and others play. I do watch the NFL but refuse to compare the two games because they are so different. Let us leave it at that. I am here because like so many other fans we have no idea if this league will survive.

It pains me to read all the negative comments regarding the league and the lack of any concrete plan. The reality is “Looking in the mirror” we all knew eventually all problems would surface. Of course, the pandemic and play stoppage exposed this along with the weakness or lack of a business plan. Running the CFL must be difficult, consider the lack of real revenue, the regional differences between the East & West fan base, the old school mentality lacking leadership and no plan for growth.

The so-called board of governors and commissioner believe the CFL should be run using the same model as in the 70’s (the old boys club) and treating players with the take or leave it mentality. Here we are in 2020 with little or communication with the players, that is so sad and uncalled for. Former players and commentators have never faced the realities of today’s athletes,

More than ever the CFL needs leadership, it is now to “Put on the big boy pants”. They are no quick fix solutions, other than accepting the realities of todays world and commit to clear communications with the fans while appealing to a younger demographic.

IMO both CFL 2.0 and Halifax expansion sounded good and generated excitement but were nonstarters. The CFL needs to expand to the US. Done properly and negotiating what you want it will work. I will never understand the fear of losing the CFL’s identity or uniqueness. Please…….., expansion is crucial to the survival of the CFL. Besides, Canadian Usport and colleges athletes are being recruited by teams in the US. The MLS has expanded on two different occasions in the US and are now moving ahead of the NHL in some US cities in popularity.

Unfortunately I do not think the CFL will change because they don’t want to be considered a viable pro league. The commenting on this forum bears this out.

In closing I expect the negative feedback to begin. That is our reality ….. LET THE NEGATIVITY BEGIN

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Welcome to the forums, @anon41073379. :slight_smile:

I agree that expansion is necessary to the CFL - a major constraint on the league's ability to generate TV and sports betting revenues are that there are simply enough games and game-hours to sell. I would love to see a permanent staff position or two struck to enlarge the league; Halifax of course, but maybe attempt to grow to 12 or 14 or 16 teams.

The issue of course is if the NHL has found it fiscally unpalatable to expand past 7 teams in Canada, that's really a stretch for the CFL. I don't know how to resolve this basic issue. The population of the country and how it's concentrated into really about ten big cities makes this very difficult.

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OneXMan
Great post!
Totally agree with most of it(except USA expansion)

> The so-called board of governors and commissioner believe the CFL should be run using the same model as in the 70’s (the old boys club) and treating players with the take or leave it mentality. Here we are in 2020 with little or communication with the players, that is so sad and uncalled for. Former players and commentators have never faced the realities of today’s athletes

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Locking this thread down as US expansion has been covered in numerous other threads created by the same poster under previous names.

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