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See the new DAZN-paradigm-in-2027 thread
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DAZN will get exclusive broadcast rights to CFL on Saturday nights, and for 2 playoff games, a total of 23 games a season.  DAZN is a for-pay streaming service that seems to specialize in NFL.

Will you pay what they are asking to see just these Saturday games?

The reason for the price range is we don't yet know if the CFL will be part of DAZN regular (the lower price) or DAZN+ (the higher price).

They'll get the $ out of me.  Because how could I not?  I'm not going to quit the CFL altogether (though it is an option for some).

I will grumble and groan, though.  And I will only do the month-to-month thing and quit the day after those 2 playoff games.  I'm not happy about it, but nemesis Johnston can consider me a win.

I bet the league will now make a schedule that evenly distributes those Sat games across all teams -- just so no fan base is off the hook.  Because if WPG got zero Sat games I would almost certainly NOT pay DAZN.  I love watching every CFL game, but to save $210+ I can miss a few other-team games and do yard work instead.

Maybe WM can request an entire season of Thu-night games -- even away games?!  ;D  ;D  ;D

Cameron said in The Huddle yesterday that maybe there are whispers that WFC will do something for STHs regarding a deal on DAZN.  He said he shouldn't be saying it, so who knows how it will pan out.

Perhaps when we get the final $$'s (which might take 6-10 months!) it might be lower and we can redo the poll.  As always, people will be price sensitive, and more people at the margin will be on board as the price goes down.

I would proffer the advice that they should figure this stuff out right now, and announce it right now, to deflect the massive blowback coming their way.  Not only would people be happier hearing they'll have to pay $15/mo instead of $25/mo, but it would appeal to the "Winnipeg Cheap".  (Just making up those $$'s by the way, no one has said squat about prices yet.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLXQTDi4Wfo

This actually makes me more upset. Stew said something about how "it's too early" to talk about pricing and if there will be a CFL-only subscription for DAZN that will be cheaper.

It was the same thing with the rule changes. Announced a bunch of things before the rules committee even figured out the details. It's so bush league.

I'm also starting to honestly enough with myself that if it wasn't for the field changes and the fact that I hate Stew, this wouldn't bother me as much. I might be able to see the good for the league angle more. But the Americanization of our field and potential for more changes is keeping me from looking at it that way.

Ultimately, I think I'll pay the subscription, especially if it's a reduced rate of some kind - because I really can't afford to keep adding subscriptions - but I'm really questioning if I'll still be a fan forever, which is not something that's ever entered my mind before. I'm not going to endure too many more impacts to the game itself.

Quote from: Jesse on May 29, 2026, 10:37:25 AMI'm also starting to honestly enough with myself that if it wasn't for the field changes and the fact that I hate Stew, this wouldn't bother me as much. I might be able to see the good for the league angle more. But the Americanization of our field and potential for more changes is keeping me from looking at it that way.

I agree.  We're Canadians, we're 35-85 year old CFL fans... we're used to a much slower rate of change in the CFL.  Unca Brosie basically only did one thing in like 8 years.  Cohon did almost nothing.  Orrige was barely a blip.

I'm now getting the sense that the pace of change will be this fast as long as Johnston is here.  Or faster.  This risks alienation of the core fans.

However, I did try to separate the hated rule changes from this money announcement in my mind, which is why I admitted I will pay.  However, even I may reach my limit with this guy, where I can no longer compartmentalize.

Quote from: Jesse on May 29, 2026, 10:37:25 AMbut I'm really questioning if I'll still be a fan forever, which is not something that's ever entered my mind before. I'm not going to endure too many more impacts to the game itself.

It's disturbing a fan such as yourself is forced into such thoughts.  Clearly you are not alone.  CFL needs to take this into account.

It's all well and good if you get $23M more for the league, but if you did it by bleeding dry every last hardcore fan, then it'll eventually hurt ticket sales, and perhaps lead to ruin by next TV contract time, where that $23M evaporates because you cut your base in half.

A new venture like DAZN who is just using you to juice revenue/numbers to get their magic IPO will not necessarily be there again in 5 years.  Is there any world in which they can increase cap by $1M one year, then take it all away 3 years later?  They better be thinking about these things and stash the money for a gradual cap increase where they can have some assurance they can keep that higher cap even if the sweet streaming deal disappears.

Right now I'd pay double that to keep the status quo.

Quote from: Jesse on May 29, 2026, 10:37:25 AMThis actually makes me more upset. Stew said something about how "it's too early" to talk about pricing and if there will be a CFL-only subscription for DAZN that will be cheaper.

It was the same thing with the rule changes. Announced a bunch of things before the rules committee even figured out the details. It's so bush league.

I'm also starting to honestly enough with myself that if it wasn't for the field changes and the fact that I hate Stew, this wouldn't bother me as much. I might be able to see the good for the league angle more. But the Americanization of our field and potential for more changes is keeping me from looking at it that way.

Ultimately, I think I'll pay the subscription, especially if it's a reduced rate of some kind - because I really can't afford to keep adding subscriptions - but I'm really questioning if I'll still be a fan forever, which is not something that's ever entered my mind before. I'm not going to endure too many more impacts to the game itself.

To be fair, most companies can't or won't tell you what their prices will be in May 2027. And in this case, it's not even the company itself, it's the person who just entered into an agreement with that company.

Of course he can't say, probably doesn't have any control over it and certainly isn't the one to announce and position it even if he did.

In reality, bush league would be the commissioner riffing off some prices for you and angering his brand new customer who gets to set their own pricing strategy for the new thing they just bought.

Quote from: Jesse on May 29, 2026, 10:37:25 AMThis actually makes me more upset. Stew said something about how "it's too early" to talk about pricing and if there will be a CFL-only subscription for DAZN that will be cheaper.

It was the same thing with the rule changes. Announced a bunch of things before the rules committee even figured out the details. It's so bush league.

I'm also starting to honestly enough with myself that if it wasn't for the field changes and the fact that I hate Stew, this wouldn't bother me as much. I might be able to see the good for the league angle more. But the Americanization of our field and potential for more changes is keeping me from looking at it that way.

Ultimately, I think I'll pay the subscription, especially if it's a reduced rate of some kind - because I really can't afford to keep adding subscriptions - but I'm really questioning if I'll still be a fan forever, which is not something that's ever entered my mind before. I'm not going to endure too many more impacts to the game itself.

I've had these same thoughts myself. Eventually there is a straw that breaks the camels back. I eventually gave up my Jets tickets when I realized the league was aligned in such a way that a small market Canadian team like the Jets was for the most part, not able to compete with the good weather low tax states. I saw hockey as a Canada's national sport that had essentially been sold out to curry favour with Vegas and Carolina in the hopes of juicing the American market. Tampa and Vegas manipulating the LTIR rules was the last straw for me.

I'll still be at PAS this year, and still watch on TSN. But I actually don't miss following the Jets. People move on, when the sense that the business they are patronizing no longer really cares about their concerns or their interests. For me right now, the saving grace is how well the local team, the Bombers is run, and the sense that Wade really does care about the fan. We'll see.

I'm retired on a fixed income with no company pensions. I just paid my property tax yesterday. It went up $500 this year and $1,000 over the last 3 years. Obviously they are many other inflationary issues for everybody.

At least I'm a home owner with no mortgage. Others may not be and having to pay rent.

While I'm not trimming anything yet, I don't know where or when there might be a tipping point.

I do remember the old days when not every game was televised and I tried to hear radio news of games in progress. Then all games were broadcast which made it much easier to watch all games of every team.  That builds fan interest IMO. Now they will lose some.

Actually I have trimmed out going to the stadium to watch games live after being a season ticket holder in the past. Every city has different cost profiles but in Vancouver, sitting on the goal line is about $75 and sitting at the 40 yard line is about $135. Parking is $30 - $40 a game.

That said, part of the reason for not attending is age related to large crowd size. Crowd crush in line ups for everything.

i have been a DAZN subscriber since launch - i pause my subscription in february and fire it up again in september.  the plan i have allows 2 concurrent streams. i can have redzone on one tv and every steelers game on the other or have the steelers game on tsn if available and put redzone on the upstairs tv so i dont miss anything...or have it playing on a tablet while i cook supper in the kitchen

they struggled with quality their first year but they have that all figured out now.

If they were smart, they would offer a CFL package for 9.99 a month.

It depends, if I would be willing to pay or not......

If I didn't have season's a game day ticket to go live for a Saturday home game isn't much more than a month of DAZN, couple it with a couple beers and free ride to and from a lounge like BP and to me I would take the live action 10/10 times

A Saturday away game, if a lounge like Silver Heights or BP was to have the game on I look at it, like 35-55/mnth  vs. the same cost as an appie and couple beers, but get the live experience of a evening out.....again I would take the live action 10/10 times.

If a situation arose where multiple games within one month were on Saturdays, I might consider the DAZN cost...

For me it's not so much about the money, but rather the experience. To me if I can sit at home watch a single away game on DAZN on a Saturday and pay 35-55 plus some appies and beers at home for a total of $70-100 and then have to clean up after myself, and cook my own food, pour my own drinks versus go to say lounge like Silver Heights, or BP, have someone else cook my food, pour my beers and clean up after me for close to same amount or a few dollars more it's an easy choice, as to what I'm doing......

Quote from: peg_city on May 29, 2026, 03:07:43 PMIf they were smart, they would offer a CFL package for 9.99 a month.

Actually, that'd be dumb.

They bought the rights to expand their subscription base.  When you join for a single event, or league, they don't get a chance to show you the value of the other offerings they are already paying for, that could turn you from a $9.99/6 month subscriber to an annual subscriber.

Building the brand/base is why they are investing in the CFL.  Not to get a few $9.99 x 6mth subscribers.

Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2026, 05:04:14 PMActually, that'd be dumb.

They bought the rights to expand their subscription base.  When you join for a single event, or league, they don't get a chance to show you the value of the other offerings they are already paying for, that could turn you from a $9.99/6 month subscriber to an annual subscriber.

Building the brand/base is why they are investing in the CFL.  Not to get a few $9.99 x 6mth subscribers.

You offer the 9.99 for the first year to get people to sign up. Then the following season, you increase the price and offer some other incentives.

The 9.99 is to get people who are on the fence to sign up.

Quote from: The Zipp on May 29, 2026, 02:15:17 PMi have been a DAZN subscriber since launch - i pause my subscription in february and fire it up again in september.  the plan i have allows 2 concurrent streams. i can have redzone on one tv and every steelers game on the other or have the steelers game on tsn if available and put redzone on the upstairs tv so i dont miss anything...or have it playing on a tablet while i cook supper in the kitchen

they struggled with quality their first year but they have that all figured out now.

I'm pretty similar to this (minus Steelers, insert Lions). I don't do it every year, but if I can budget for $35/month for the NFL, I do it.
But with that, you would get all 300ish NFL games, Redzone plus other sports (that I've never taken advantage of...). If you purchase it during the months of June to October (5 months) for a quarter of the games (4-5 games), you're really not getting your moneys worth...
Does this expose the CFL to more markets? I know the states mostly use YoutubeTV but they have probably 8 different streaming services including Peacock, Amazon, and lots of others. It's easier to sell when the demand is high, but with the CFL flame seemingly dwindling, it's kind of scary.

With that said, realistically I'm not in a position to spend $175 to watch a few games. Might have to settle for CJOB.

I am not paying extra to see a CFL game that doesn't involve the Bombers. I would watch baseball instead.

71% of the rabid fans say they won't pay for DAZN. I wonder what % of normal fans will... maybe 5%?

Quote from: bwiser on May 29, 2026, 07:43:48 PMI am not paying extra to see a CFL game that doesn't involve the Bombers. I would watch baseball instead.

Unfortunately it will likely be Sask or WPG games that will be on DAZN, and for sure when they play each other.

Wait until the broadcast team for DAZN gets announced.

Rod Black and Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan.

Duh Zone will be STR8 FYAH!

Quote from: BlueInCgy on May 29, 2026, 11:31:30 PMWait until the broadcast team for DAZN gets announced.

Rod Black and Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan.

Duh Zone will be STR8 FYAH!

Infinite upvotes for you   8)  8)  8)

But strangely enough, I kinda miss Blackie and I never thought Dunni should have been canned.  Let's make it a trifecta and have Jock Climie on the panel!

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 29, 2026, 11:53:51 AMOf course he can't say, probably doesn't have any control over it and certainly isn't the one to announce and position it even if he did.

Great point.  Unless it's in the contract that the league/teams gets the ability to offer discounts for fans or STHs, then the only way it happens is if WM calls up DAZN and strikes a separate deal.  That would mean WFC foots the bill to subsidize discounts for us.

Now, since WFC is flush, that could happen.  But EDM or TOR might have a hard time justifying that, especially since they arguably have more TV viewers and thus more to subsidize (unless it's limited to STHs).

One would hope the league/DAZN contract did stipulate that CFL is on, say, their basic package.  We don't want to leave it open-ended where DAZN makes a Super Cereal package just to gouge CFL fans $100/mo!!

Quote from: TBURGESS on May 29, 2026, 09:41:33 PM71% of the rabid fans say they won't pay for DAZN. I wonder what % of normal fans will... maybe 5%?

Ya, this poll is a real eye-opener.  In one day we have the bulk of regular members voting and the result is 25% will pay?

I don't know about you, but that's waaaaay less than I would have guessed.  My guess would have been 50/50 of uberfans.

If only 25% of uberfans will pay, kiss the casual fan goodbye.  You're right, at best probably 5% of those will pay.

Ouch!  I'm gonna head over to Riderfans to see what they are saying... strangely enough whether blue or green us uberfans tend to be on the same page when it comes to Dumb CFL Moves.

Quote from: TBURGESS on May 29, 2026, 09:41:33 PM71% of the rabid fans say they won't pay for DAZN. I wonder what % of normal fans will... maybe 5%?

Counter intuitively it's probably higher. Don't confuse the opinions on here with the actual actions of the market. They are not the same.

Lots of folks won't complain at all, will just subscribe for a few months or retain their subscription for longer than they would have. They won't be loud about it and it won't be a big deal to them. DAZN obviously knows their business model and have done this before. They didn't just pick a random number to compensate the league. They control like half of the streaming sports market at this point.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 30, 2026, 11:18:05 AMCounter intuitively it's probably higher. Don't confuse the opinions on here with the actual actions of the market. They are not the same.

Lots of folks won't complain at all, will just subscribe for a few months or retain their subscription for longer than they would have. They won't be loud about it and it won't be a big deal to them. DAZN obviously knows their business model and have done this before. They didn't just pick a random number to compensate the league. They control like half of the streaming sports market at this point.

This is true. Emotions are high right now and has little to do with what will happen a year from now. Especially if they do create a CFL package for a better price.

But I'm sure there are quite a few fans who already do own DAZN for the NFL. The dozen or so people who talk on an old message board aren't exactly representative of the hundreds of thousands who tune into games.

Well, rider forum is sounding a lot like here. And they have around 5x the active forum members that we do. A lot more "normie" fans over there. Just like here, I'm a bit surprised by the handles that are saying they may be done. Long time hardcore posters.

One rider fan made a great point... Does this mean non Canadian fans can get every game cheaper than us? We have to pay for TSN cable plus dazn. But foreigners can get the whole season with one CFL steam subscription??

If that's correct, that's some messed up poop. Basically punishing us for being so loyal and Canadian.

No I won't pay for another subscription I already pay waaay to much per month.

I ve watched the cfl religiously since 1975 and you can count me in as one of the upset alienated long time fans. Don't like the new Ryle changes, don't like the new commissioner, he's a dweeb and out of his element. Just watched the pre season opening half of a quarter of the Ottawa and Montreal game, and ya it's pre season, but I turned it off as I ve never seen such poorly executed football. Ottawa s going with maier as their Qb, ha, they ll be the worst team in the league by a landslide, and you want me to pay extra to watch them on a Saturday? Guess I ll do so,thing else on a Saturday 

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 30, 2026, 11:18:05 AMCounter intuitively it's probably higher. Don't confuse the opinions on here with the actual actions of the market. They are not the same.

Lots of folks won't complain at all, will just subscribe for a few months or retain their subscription for longer than they would have. They won't be loud about it and it won't be a big deal to them. DAZN obviously knows their business model and have done this before. They didn't just pick a random number to compensate the league. They control like half of the streaming sports market at this point.

Don't confuse your take with actual market actions.
(https://jpellegrino.com/images/reflogic/appealtoauthority.jpg)

So, Dazn is wrong. The league is wrong. The commissioner is wrong. Everyone is wrong... but you. The guy who doesn't go to more than a game a year anymore and won't watch if it's not on cable and won't miss it (all things you've recently said).
 
So we're clear.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 30, 2026, 03:29:13 PMSo, Dazn is wrong. The league is wrong. The commissioner is wrong. Everyone is wrong... but you. The guy who doesn't go to more than a game a year anymore and won't watch if it's not on cable and won't miss it (all things you've recently said).
 
So we're clear.

You always use the infallibility argument. 'They' must know what they are doing, so anyone who doesn't agree is wrong. Then the ad hominem attack. 
(https://jpellegrino.com/images/reflogic/adhominem.jpg)

I go to 1 game a year. I won't buy a second service to watch 20% of the games. I'll get used to missing those games, which isn't the same as "I won't miss it at all." None of that has anything to do with the validity of my argument.

 Folks who make the decisions love to tell us how great they are going to be, but almost never show the actual numbers after the fact. Makes the look more infallible than they really are, so I doubt we ever get the actual data on how many net new DAZN subscriptions sell, unless they have a CFL-only package and the numbers are good for their side. 

Quote from: TBURGESS on May 30, 2026, 03:59:24 PMYou always use the infallibility argument. 'They' must know what they are doing, so anyone who doesn't agree is wrong. Then the ad hominem attack.
(https://jpellegrino.com/images/reflogic/adhominem.jpg)

I go to 1 game a year. I won't buy a second service to watch 20% of the games. I'll get used to missing those games, which isn't the same as "I won't miss it at all." None of that has anything to do with the validity of my argument.

 Folks who make the decisions love to tell us how great they are going to be, but almost never show the actual numbers after the fact. Makes the look more infallible than they really are, so I doubt we ever get the actual data on how many net new DAZN subscriptions sell, unless they have a CFL-only package and the numbers are good for their side.

I just think they know what they're doing more than you.

I don't think anyone who is truly honest would come to any other conclusion.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 30, 2026, 04:06:50 PMI just think they know what they're doing more than you.

I don't think anyone who is truly honest would come to any other conclusion.

If business people were actually infallible, no businesses would ever fail. As that's obviously not true, the only viable conclusion is that business people are not infallible. 

Having more information than me doesn't make them right or guarantee that they make the right decisions. Businesses are "making max profit now and ignoring future enterprises." Always have been. Always will be.  

Do you think this group of owners cares if the CFL folds in 5 years as long as they can maximize their profit for those 5 years? Do you think that could affect their decision-making? 

Quote from: TBURGESS on May 30, 2026, 04:38:08 PMIf business people were actually infallible, no businesses would ever fail. As that's obviously not true, the only viable conclusion is that business people are not infallible.

Having more information than me doesn't make them right or guarantee that they make the right decisions. Businesses are "making max profit now and ignoring future enterprises." Always have been. Always will be. 

Do you think this group of owners cares if the CFL folds in 5 years as long as they can maximize their profit for those 5 years? Do you think that could affect their decision-making?

That's the thing, they don't really care about the product creating the wealth or the interests of those who provide the wealth, their focus is 100% on how much wealth can be generated.  Movies, music, entertainment in general, all suck now because accountants ceased control and they sucked the living soul out of the beast. 50 years ago we had Elvis and the Beatles, now we have bubbles.

Quote from: Tecno on May 30, 2026, 06:28:42 AMYa, this poll is a real eye-opener.  In one day we have the bulk of regular members voting and the result is 25% will pay?

I don't know about you, but that's waaaaay less than I would have guessed.  My guess would have been 50/50 of uberfans.

If only 25% of uberfans will pay, kiss the casual fan goodbye.  You're right, at best probably 5% of those will pay.

Ouch!  I'm gonna head over to Riderfans to see what they are saying... strangely enough whether blue or green us uberfans tend to be on the same page when it comes to Dumb CFL Moves.

Do you really think this a Dumb CFL Move?

Watched CFL for over 45 years.  I'd pay $50 a month to keep the 55 yard line and all the games on cable. other than that, no.  I don't subscribe to streaming services, Shaw gets enough $ out of me for cable and internet.  Nope not happening to watch a Edmonton Ottawa yawner or anything Chad Kelly is in.

Quote from: tlf on May 30, 2026, 06:53:51 PMWatched CFL for over 45 years.  I'd pay $50 a month to keep the 55 yard line and all the games on cable. other than that, no.  I don't subscribe to streaming services, Shaw gets enough $ out of me for cable and internet.  Nope not happening to watch a Edmonton Ottawa yawner or anything Chad Kelly is in.

my sentiment exactly!!

Quote from: Tecno on May 30, 2026, 02:08:25 PMOne rider fan made a great point... Does this mean non Canadian fans can get every game cheaper than us? We have to pay for TSN cable plus dazn. But foreigners can get the whole season with one CFL steam subscription??

If that's correct, that's some messed up poop. Basically punishing us for being so loyal and Canadian.

and us canadians can get all the nfl games and red zone on DAZN and americans need to subscribe to multiple streaming services to get what we have. 

It's because Canadians will pay for it since they're already fans (collectively, speaking about the market overall, not the 12 of you here) and the play globally would be to make it as easy and accessible as possible because customer acquisition will be far more expensive and harder globally.

Wouldn't surprise me to see the NFL carve up Canada over time.

Quote from: bomb squad on May 30, 2026, 06:49:34 PMDo you really think this a Dumb CFL Move?

I think it's all way too much way too fast. We don't even have time to digest the previous Johnston nutiness. A lot of people are getting Johnston fatigue.

This particular move has pros and cons. League and players love it because they all get raises, and the owners make bank.

But there's not a single fan who loves the idea of paying more or missing out on Saturday games. We might accept it as a tradeoff for league health, but no one likes it for the effects on fans.

Speaking only about the Canadian audience, this will shrink viewership numbers for those games. Probably by half or more. It will gain no new fans. The dude without TSN, but with dazn, is not going to watch 1 game a week and suddenly become a fan.

This is simply a money grab to further monetize the existing fan because they've decided there is no other way.

Put it this way, what if a couple of years later they then say Sunday games will be on Hulu. And Friday on crave. At what point do we decide we won't be leeched off of? I get the money aspect, but it really shows a lack of respect for the fans who've supported the CFL this entire time. And I've read posts on other forums from poorer people who would love to pay but simply can't. Not very liberal to say "no CFL for you"!

On the other hand, imagine what the Bombers will be able to do with extra revenue. Some of it will be saved. Some to player salaries. Some of it will go to community initiatives, game day initiatives, stadium improvements and more. That's inherently good for the game of football in Manitoba.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 31, 2026, 12:55:52 AMOn the other hand, imagine what the Bombers will be able to do with extra revenue. Some of it will be saved. Some to player salaries. Some of it will go to community initiatives, game day initiatives, stadium improvements and more. That's inherently good for the game of football in Manitoba.

Think of the children! (TM)

All well and good.  But there were 2 aspects to most of our desires for league health: 1) becoming financially sound, and 2) getting more fans to be seat-butts and watch TV.

Johnston solved (1), but I posit that this harms goal (2).  Most of us were instead trying to solve (2) in order to organically bring about (1).

I'd also argue that (2) is integral to (1) being sustainable.  If instead of growing butts/eyeballs by 10% you shrink it by 10%, how are you going to negotiate such a sweet media deal next time around?

Quote from: Tecno on May 31, 2026, 12:45:51 AMI think it's all way too much way too fast. We don't even have time to digest the previous Johnston nutiness. A lot of people are getting Johnston fatigue.

This particular move has pros and cons. League and players love it because they all get raises, and the owners make bank.

But there's not a single fan who loves the idea of paying more or missing out on Saturday games. We might accept it as a tradeoff for league health, but no one likes it for the effects on fans.

Speaking only about the Canadian audience, this will shrink viewership numbers for those games. Probably by half or more. It will gain no new fans. The dude without TSN, but with dazn, is not going to watch 1 game a week and suddenly become a fan.

This is simply a money grab to further monetize the existing fan because they've decided there is no other way.

Put it this way, what if a couple of years later they then say Sunday games will be on Hulu. And Friday on crave. At what point do we decide we won't be leeched off of? I get the money aspect, but it really shows a lack of respect for the fans who've supported the CFL this entire time. And I've read posts on other forums from poorer people who would love to pay but simply can't. Not very liberal to say "no CFL for you"!

You chose to essentially call it a "Dumb CFL Move". Do you stand by that or not?

Quote from: bomb squad on May 31, 2026, 04:26:18 AMYou chose to essentially call it a "Dumb CFL Move". Do you stand by that or not?

Sure.  Especially in my original context: the sum total of all the recent Dumb CFL Moves since Johnston came in.  As others have said, if we weren't in Johnston Fatigue mode already, we'd probably be happier with this media deal.

Why is it dumb?  Because I think it has long term costs and does zero to get more CFL fans in Canada -- ones that can fill the stands, and buy the advertiser's products.  It's been established Johnston's field spec rule changes will lose around 5% of long time fans.  From all I've read on various forums, I'd say this media move will lose another 5% of fans.

That's 10% of good fans lost right off the bat.  No one has explained how no 55YL will add fans to replace these.  And clearly making it harder/pricier to watch games on TV will not add any Canadian fans at all.

So we did absolutely nothing to address the organic side of a healthier leage: get more people out to games and hooked on TV.

Yes, this is a short-term win that has the CFL sitting pretty for 6 years.  It means a big payout to everyone, probably including perks for Johnston.  But what about after that?  Hollow out your base and it'll be a much harder sell.  What happens when DAZN disappears because their short term needs were satisified and no one steps in?  Back to $50M a year from TSN.  Think the CFLPA will accept a commensurate $1M drop in SMS at that time because the money dried up?  No one is asking the "ya, and then what?".

And I checked.  DAZN was recently trying to IPO but had to delay because wallstreet is worried about the profit (there is none) and revenue growth.  Exactly as I predicted in one of my first posts in the other thread.

DAZN doesn't care about the CFL.  They don't even want it.  This is merely a business move to buy revenue growth and increase the all-important subscriber count.

Once they get their IPO they are all billionaires (including the head honcho who will become more of a billionaire) and they can drop the CFL like a hot potato.  Especially when they inevitably morph into "be more profitable" mode.

If someone can give me a rough count of the number of CFL fans in Canada -- those in seats or watching at home -- I can run the numbers and probably illustrate how DAZN will gain no profit from this.  It's all about the IPO.  I knew it was shady their name is perfect stock ticker length!!

It's kind of funny.  They are using the CFL.  The CFL is using them.  It's like a match made in he-double-hockeysticks.

Riderfans who are older than me shared this tidbit:

"This reminds me of the second Carling O'Keefe deal in the 80's, which was a record deal for the CFL at the time.
[...]
My concern is what happens if DAZN doesn't get the numbers they expect and don't renew, or reduce the deal significantly?
[...]
Teams took quite a hit after the O'Keefe deal expired.  CTV had backed out of the games, so they had to come up with the Canadian Football Network.  TSN was a youngling in 1986 and I believe they started broadcasting CFL games in 1987."

-- Saskfan in Winnipeg, via Riderfans

(no, the guy is not me!)

Quote from: dd on May 30, 2026, 10:29:22 PMmy sentiment exactly!!

I third this. 
We are far from alone.  I suspect it is anyone who still pays cable that is upset by this.  Even more so if you pay for the complete package.

Quote from: Tecno on May 31, 2026, 03:48:07 AMThink of the children! (TM)

All well and good.  But there were 2 aspects to most of our desires for league health: 1) becoming financially sound, and 2) getting more fans to be seat-butts and watch TV.

Johnston solved (1), but I posit that this harms goal (2).  Most of us were instead trying to solve (2) in order to organically bring about (1).

I'd also argue that (2) is integral to (1) being sustainable.  If instead of growing butts/eyeballs by 10% you shrink it by 10%, how are you going to negotiate such a sweet media deal next time around?

Maybe he could have hosted a call to explain to the league's owners and players that instead of signing a deal for an extra 60% in broadcast revenue (learning it's a 6 year term through 2033) he chose to decline that and keep things the same.

You guys really are too much. Blinded by bias to the point of complete silliness. Even when the guy secures a huge win by essentially all measures you're trying to tie yourself into knots to explain how it's wrong.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 31, 2026, 03:41:44 PMMaybe he could have hosted a call to explain to the league's owners and players that instead of signing a deal for an extra 60% in broadcast revenue (learning it's a 6 year term through 2033) he chose to decline that and keep things the same.

You guys really are too much. Blinded by bias to the point of complete silliness. Even when the guy secures a huge win by essentially all measures you're trying to tie yourself into knots to explain how it's wrong.

I can see both sides of this. On the one hand its a win for the league in terms of revenue.

Both its not a win for the fan's experience.  You have a choice of losing 25% of the games, including some playoff games, or paying a lot more (possibly as much as 75% more than my current cost for cable and TSN) to retain the viewing exposure I had last year. You're asking the fans to be happy about this? For a benefit that is intangible and vague, the "good of the league". The league will make more money. Your assuming that translates in some way into a more stable league with a better product, which is good for the fans. But all it may mean is more money for players (most of which might go to the players making over 200k per year), more money in the owner's pocket, and more drift towards an Americanized game that most CFL fans don't want. You have no difficulty seeing one side of the issue, but there's clearly a second side that's valid as well.

As far as I know, we also don't know the specifics of how much of the approximately 60 million per year TSN pays and how much DANZ pays. And that will colour my view of the deal as well. If TSN is paying 30 million for their  75% of games, and DANZ was willing to cough up 30 million for 25% of the games, then it would be hard to argue with Johnson's decision. But if TSN is paying 45 million for 75% of the games, and DANZ 15 million for their 25% of the games, and if TSN was actually willing to pay the same prorated for all the games ie 60 million, but Johnson opted to go with this current deal, then its not fan friendly at all. Because he would have got the same money by giving it all to TSN, and maintained fan access to all the games. And if for some reason DANZ is paying less per game than TSN, well then this deal becomes even harder to defend. Any defense would have to fall back on some vague "streaming on a streaming only platform is good, and will bring in the younger fans" argument, which may or may not turn out to be true. I'm skeptical.

Quote from: Tecno on May 31, 2026, 07:11:54 AMAnd I checked.  DAZN was recently trying to IPO but had to delay because wallstreet is worried about the profit (there is none) and revenue growth.  Exactly as I predicted in one of my first posts in the other thread.

DAZN doesn't care about the CFL.  They don't even want it.  This is merely a business move to buy revenue growth and increase the all-important subscriber count.

Once they get their IPO they are all billionaires (including the head honcho who will become more of a billionaire) and they can drop the CFL like a hot potato.  Especially when they inevitably morph into "be more profitable" mode.

If someone can give me a rough count of the number of CFL fans in Canada -- those in seats or watching at home -- I can run the numbers and probably illustrate how DAZN will gain no profit from this.  It's all about the IPO.  I knew it was shady their name is perfect stock ticker length!!

It's kind of funny.  They are using the CFL.  The CFL is using them.  It's like a match made in he-double-hockeysticks.

Just look into DAZN's shady past, founded, financed and controlled by Leonard Blavatnik a Russian oligarch with Israeli ties who made billions buying up state owned aluminum factories after the demise of the USSR. The British granted him a knighthood for his philanthropic donations in Britain, they don't care where the money came from, how it was acquired or that he continues to use bribery to meddle in the affairs of Israel, the US and Russia.

Meanwhile, in the NHL, Crave is moving to a Mondays, Amazon to Wednesday, Sportsnet to Thursday & Saturday.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 31, 2026, 10:44:39 PMMeanwhile, in the NHL, Crave is moving to a Mondays, Amazon to Wednesday, Sportsnet to Thursday & Saturday.

And I only watch on TSN because crave and sportsnet are too expensive. 

Quote from: Jesse on May 31, 2026, 11:04:18 PMAnd I only watch on TSN because crave and sportsnet are too expensive. 

I get it. I'm not a big enough hockey fan to subscribe for the odd Jets game. They also have enough money in my opinion and there's too many games anyway.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 31, 2026, 10:44:39 PMMeanwhile, in the NHL, Crave is moving to a Mondays, Amazon to Wednesday, Sportsnet to Thursday & Saturday.

I have watched games on Prime, it's not bad.
I pay for the full cable package plus NetFlix, Crave, Disney, Prime etc
If the CFL went with any of these other providers, I'd be fine. I don't want to have to add another - I'm already paying $200+/month

Asking for a friend - IF he did subscribe, would that same subscription get him NFL games all season too?  On multiple devices at the same time? 

Quote from: BomberFan73 on May 31, 2026, 11:25:38 PMI have watched games on Prime, it's not bad.
I pay for the full cable package plus NetFlix, Crave, Disney, Prime etc
If the CFL went with any of these other providers, I'd be fine. I don't want to have to add another - I'm already paying $200+/month

Asking for a friend - IF he did subscribe, would that same subscription get him NFL games all season too?  On multiple devices at the same time? 

a subscription to dazn gets you all the content - not much else besides nfl interests me in their offerings but you would get cfl and the whole nfl package (which is really good)

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 31, 2026, 03:41:44 PMMaybe he could have hosted a call to explain to the league's owners and players that instead of signing a deal for an extra 60% in broadcast revenue (learning it's a 6 year term through 2033) he chose to decline that and keep things the same.

You make it sound as though this DAZN deal just fell into Johnston's lap.  Nah, he was actively shopping the league around, probably targeting DAZN.  I bet he was doing it even before he was publicly named Commish.  None of this is random chance.  There's nothing for him to "decline", because this was his plan all along.

What I want to see now is Johnston's contract.  Is it like a normal CEO job where if you hit certain targets you get a huge bonus?  He might be scoring some portion of the hundred-millions for himself.

In which case I know the answer to my question of "what then? (after 6 years)" -- the answer from Johnston is "don't care, got mine".

Quote from: Tecno on June 01, 2026, 06:38:59 AMYou make it sound as though this DAZN deal just fell into Johnston's lap.  Nah, he was actively shopping the league around, probably targeting DAZN. I bet he was doing it even before he was publicly named Commish.  None of this is random chance.  There's nothing for him to "decline", because this was his plan all along.

What I want to see now is Johnston's contract.  Is it like a normal CEO job where if you hit certain targets you get a huge bonus?  He might be scoring some portion of the hundred-millions for himself.

In which case I know the answer to my question of "what then? (after 6 years)" -- the answer from Johnston is "don't care, got mine".

Well yeah... isn't it the commissioners job to sell the product and 'actively' shop it around to procure the best deal for the league?  I would be concerned if he wasn't doing this.

Quote from: bluengold204 on June 01, 2026, 12:13:17 PMWell yeah... isn't it the commissioners job to sell the product and 'actively' shop it around to procure the best deal for the league?  I would be concerned if he wasn't doing this.

Of course, but I don't think anyone saw this coming. He has a plan and vision for the CFL, and he basically keeps it to himself. And then the rest of the world just is told what that is and you're gonna lump it.

It's normal that his vision will align with some people, and not others.

I will say he's being very successful at executing his vision. Let's just ask hope he's right!

If in 2024 I presented you 2 options for the CFL, both guaranteed to actually occur, which would you choose?

1. Everything Johnston has done.

Or

2. Grow the Canadian interest in the CFL such that every year for 6 years you get 5 to 10 percent more fans in seats and eyeballs on tv. Get a new TSN contact for 60m a year in 2027. Everything else stays the same as 2024. No field changes.

Honestly think which you would have chosen as the best path for long term stability and team finances.

To me the Johnston moves show he has given up on number 2. And he's willing to sacrifice even more butts for media revenue. Nothing he's done will put more fans in the stands in tor or edm.

Is this the "success" we all hoped for? If it turns out Johnston was right, then good for him. Me? I was hoping there was still another way. Regardless, I remain a loyal fan.

Short answer for me, no I wouldn't pay to watch CFL games on Saturday night. It is a darn shame and the commissioner is screwing up this league we have.

Like Jesse I to find myself questioning continuing to be a hardcore fan. I'll admit there are various reasons but adding a subscription to which CFL ball just further pulls me away.

Starlink + Amazon Firestick + Roomba IPTV app = free everything on my TV.

With this extra revenue coming into the CFL, I could see this being the initiative that was needed to get a 10th team to commit.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on June 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMLike Jesse I to find myself questioning continuing to be a hardcore fan. I'll admit there are various reasons but adding a subscription to which CFL ball just further pulls me away.

And that's the thing that is a scaring me most. Both here and on other forums there are posters that are in the upper echelons of uber fans that are expressing thoughts of quitting the CFL. Or massively curtailing their commitment and support.

Guys I would have thought would be sitting in the stands all geared up even if there was a nuclear war.

If Johnston moves are making these guys feel this way, then maybe it's even worse among the less committed fans.

This should worry everyone.

P.s. Goldie, what are the other reasons that are bothering you?

Quote from: VictorRomano on June 01, 2026, 01:31:54 PMStarlink + Amazon Firestick + Roomba IPTV app = free everything on my TV.

As long as you're ok with theft. Yes, many are doing this.

But it does absolutely nothing to help the league financially. And it makes everyone else's bills go up.

Quote from: Tecno on June 02, 2026, 04:09:17 AMAs long as you're ok with theft. Yes, many are doing this.

But it does absolutely nothing to help the league financially. And it makes everyone else's bills go up.

Piracy isn't theft.

Gouging consumers does nothing to help, either. Our bills continue to increase all the same; that's greed.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 02, 2026, 01:32:03 PMPiracy isn't theft.

Gouging consumers does nothing to help, either. Our bills continue to increase all the same; that's greed.

Piracy is obviously theft, but it's well earned "robin hood" theft.

Quote from: Tecno on June 02, 2026, 04:06:48 AMAnd that's the thing that is a scaring me most. Both here and on other forums there are posters that are in the upper echelons of uber fans that are expressing thoughts of quitting the CFL. Or massively curtailing their commitment and support.

Guys I would have thought would be sitting in the stands all geared up even if there was a nuclear war.

If Johnston moves are making these guys feel this way, then maybe it's even worse among the less committed fans.

This should worry everyone.

P.s. Goldie, what are the other reasons that are bothering you?

I'll tell you the reason bothering me... it is no longer recognizable as Canadian football. It is some CFL/NFL hybrid that MAYBE American gamblers will bet on. We'll see how it looks on tv when every stadium has Toronto style empty seats with the people actually there not being uber fans, just casuals. I fully expect it to fail and leave us stuck. Perhaps it can't come back at that point. 

Greed. We don't make enough money they say. If true, the sensible thing is cut costs. Why is it so hard to just to pay the players what the market will bear? Is there a player shortage I don't know about? If the cap went down for a few years would the sky collapse or would teams break even and everyone still have a job?

Quote from: Jesse on June 02, 2026, 01:41:45 PMPiracy is obviously theft, but it's well earned "robin hood" theft.

That's the line we've been hearing since the late 90s with music, movies, games, etc. None of those industries appear to be struggling on account of piracy, and less so with regard to them being victimized by it. Online streaming is no exception as those platforms continue to rake in record profits.

I can understand why someone wouldn't want to pay for both TSN and DAZN in order to watch the CFL. This new format is based purely on greed.

No change ever pleased everyone, everytime.  Yes, Johnston has made moves (with 100% CFL owners agreement) that some hardcore fans dislike.  But getting a 66% increase in TV revenues in a league that relies on those more than ever is worth taking some lumps over.

When you have to go to a longstanding partner and some potential new partners, and want them to pony up MORE than previously, you have to show why.  You have to give a reason.  Change is important, and while some traditionalists may say these are not in the spirit of the CFL's long and storied history, I say that if preserving and growing the league while maintaining its core values (12 men, 65 yd wide, deep endzones and ratio) means sacrificing the 55 yard line, that's a small price to pay to still have a CFL 10 years from now.

Will the league lose some diehards?  Maybe. But those are not the demographic these broadcast partners seek. And, truthfully, many diehards are aging out of viewership altogether.

Meanwhile, through new viewing venues and shifting schedules, the league is counting on putting new eyes on the product.  A product that is getting better every year, and is getting reviews from players and coaches that its dang good football. And, maybe, just maybe, they start realizing that it is more interesting/fun to watch.

Broadening access to the league, reducing the impact gate has on black ink, these are great things. 

When Johnston was hired, many were wary.  When the proposed changes were brought it, there was much ballyhoo.  But he was brought in for his media savvy, and on that he has delivered in spades.

Again, a 66% increase in TV revenue is far and above what I had dreamed he could deliver.  I can't see a team in the league now having red ink, and it makes a 10 or dare I dream, 12 team league possible.  Now, with that revenue, a 15k stadium might be profitable.  And that can be built just about anywhere.

The Schooners, and teams in Quebec City and London suddenly become in play (can't do Brampton or Markham, because then Toronto would want a team :) ). 

There are so many reasons this is a great thing.  There is no way lost viewership over subscriptions and the 55yard line will come close to offsetting a 66% increase in media revenue for the teams.

I can't see any downside to this.  Sorry.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 02, 2026, 02:12:36 PMThat's the line we've been hearing since the late 90s with music, movies, games, etc. None of those industries appear to be struggling on account of piracy, and less so with regard to them being victimized by it. Online streaming is no exception as those platforms continue to rake in record profits.

I can understand why someone wouldn't want to pay for both TSN and DAZN in order to watch the CFL. This new format is based purely on greed.

i am tired of eating pork chops - i want some steak but don't want to pay for it...superstore makes gobs of profit so i am just going to grab a couple and walk out of the store.  superstore won't be struggling they have lots of money and i need my steak.

stealing is stealing

Pirates gonna pirate, as they make it harder to do, fewer will do it, and then someone comes up with an easy hack, and back they go.

Back in the day, my old boss used to subscribe to a pirate service that would upload the latest Direct TV hacks, and you'd burn your PROM card with the new fix to get free service.  He justified it because Direct TV did not sell Canadian subscriptions.  He rapidly became a dealer, even though he had zero tech ability, other than downloading a file and burning a card.  But Direct TV would change their codes right before any major event, dropping all the pirate cards, and it usually took a few hours for the new hack to arrive.  But the rest of the time, "free" TV.  This went of for a few years until Direct TV got too sophisticated for easy pirating.

With the way AI is going, I can see this becoming an issue again before long.

Quote from: The Zipp on June 02, 2026, 04:03:43 PMi am tired of eating pork chops - i want some steak but don't want to pay for it...superstore makes gobs of profit so i am just going to grab a couple and walk out of the store.  superstore won't be struggling they have lots of money and i need my steak.

stealing is stealing

I think your example is a false equivalency. Stealing food is not the same as replicating a sports broadcast for free.

If someone wants to use a VPN and an app that lets them stream sports, movies, etc. without them sending a monthly subscription to some faceless, profit-driven corporate entity, all the power to them. Piracy's not the bogeyman despite whatever propaganda corporate ghouls continue to peddle over the last few decades.

IMO, TSN could've easily kept airing all the games going forward in Canada without giving 1/4 of them away to a non-Canadian streaming service.

Most of you aren't old enough to remember but at the beginning of cable Vision for tv,

There were two corporations that delivered it.  they divided the city into two sections;

One section each, no competition, charge what you want.

You don't have to be smart if you have a monopoly.

R

The reason CFL, NFL, NHL give streamers exclusive games is to get eyeballs/subscription driven to them.  If the CFL aired all its games on TSN, the other providers get zero access to the established fan base.  Which is what they are primarily paying for.

Local radio coverage is always available for live coverage, and no doubt CFL+ and/or Youtube will have on demand after probably 24 hours.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 02, 2026, 04:49:40 PMI think your example is a false equivalency. Stealing food is not the same as replicating a sports broadcast for free.

If someone wants to use a VPN and an app that lets them stream sports, movies, etc. without them sending a monthly subscription to some faceless, profit-driven corporate entity, all the power to them. Piracy's not the bogeyman despite whatever propaganda corporate ghouls continue to peddle over the last few decades.

IMO, TSN could've easily kept airing all the games going forward in Canada without giving 1/4 of them away to a non-Canadian streaming service.

It's not the bogeyman, and it's a problem they create for themselves. So I agree with you. But strictly speaking, if someone is paying to provide a service, and you use that service without paying for it, you are stealing.

Again, under these circumstances, I'm with you that it's justified theft. Still theft though.

I guess the argument is that stealing from a local grocer hurts that grocer, but stealing from a national chain can "afford" the loss, and usually has it built into their business model, so while still a crime, it is a "victimless" crime.

Stealing broadcast signal is a crime, but most see it as a "victimless" crime.  The place it loses that argument is when people who would normally pay for the service start to pirate it, which then means the provider actually loses money.

Why is that important?  If the number of pirates is within the rounding error, its probably not.  But if it becomes a substantial number, especially within an identifiable group of users, then paying for the content those users are pirating becomes not viable. And the revenue that the league receives can end.

I'm not sure how long the DAZN deal is guaranteed for, or what the deliverables are within the deal, or how much of the $ are from DAZN, but if the league doesn't get them eyeballs, its not going to get renewed.

I think folks are tired of the gouging that's going on right now, whether its the grocery stores hosing you for grossly inflated grocery prices, inflated restaurant prices , the price of gas sky rocketing, CFL changes and now a subscription cost. I for one am fed up with all of it. Ever since covid, everyone is has an excuse as to why they can hose you. Well time to make some tough calls. Beef is $30/lb, no more steaks. Gas is $1.85, guess I'll talk my bike or walk, CFL wants to you pay more to watch certain games, guess we don't watch those games, and if they continue to change the rules, maybe we just move on from the league altogether. I've watched the game since 1975 and this is the first year I haven't been fired up for the season opener..yep, times they are a changing.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 02, 2026, 03:27:06 PMNo change ever pleased everyone, everytime.  Yes, Johnston has made moves (with 100% CFL owners agreement) that some hardcore fans dislike.  But getting a 66% increase in TV revenues in a league that relies on those more than ever is worth taking some lumps over.

When you have to go to a longstanding partner and some potential new partners, and want them to pony up MORE than previously, you have to show why.  You have to give a reason.  Change is important, and while some traditionalists may say these are not in the spirit of the CFL's long and storied history, I say that if preserving and growing the league while maintaining its core values (12 men, 65 yd wide, deep endzones and ratio) means sacrificing the 55 yard line, that's a small price to pay to still have a CFL 10 years from now.

Will the league lose some diehards?  Maybe. But those are not the demographic these broadcast partners seek. And, truthfully, many diehards are aging out of viewership altogether.

Meanwhile, through new viewing venues and shifting schedules, the league is counting on putting new eyes on the product.  A product that is getting better every year, and is getting reviews from players and coaches that its dang good football. And, maybe, just maybe, they start realizing that it is more interesting/fun to watch.

Broadening access to the league, reducing the impact gate has on black ink, these are great things. 

When Johnston was hired, many were wary.  When the proposed changes were brought it, there was much ballyhoo.  But he was brought in for his media savvy, and on that he has delivered in spades.

Again, a 66% increase in TV revenue is far and above what I had dreamed he could deliver.  I can't see a team in the league now having red ink, and it makes a 10 or dare I dream, 12 team league possible.  Now, with that revenue, a 15k stadium might be profitable.  And that can be built just about anywhere.

The Schooners, and teams in Quebec City and London suddenly become in play (can't do Brampton or Markham, because then Toronto would want a team :) ). 

There are so many reasons this is a great thing.  There is no way lost viewership over subscriptions and the 55yard line will come close to offsetting a 66% increase in media revenue for the teams.

I can't see any downside to this.  Sorry.

The deal is obviously good news for the league, more revenue helps grow and improve the product.  From a fan viewpoint, change is rarely good news, we all have to adjust every time a digital service is added, deleted or altered in some way and it rarely makes people happy, but that's life. 

I'm not subscribing to another service but I'll find a work around to watch any Bomber games blacked out from TSN, whether that's watching the game a day later on YouTube, or streaming it live on a shady gambling site as I sometimes do with NHL playoff games.  I don't need to see it live to find joy, as long as the Bombers play well and win.

Quote from: Tecno on June 02, 2026, 04:06:48 AMAnd that's the thing that is a scaring me most. Both here and on other forums there are posters that are in the upper echelons of uber fans that are expressing thoughts of quitting the CFL. Or massively curtailing their commitment and support.

Guys I would have thought would be sitting in the stands all geared up even if there was a nuclear war.

If Johnston moves are making these guys feel this way, then maybe it's even worse among the less committed fans.

This should worry everyone.

P.s. Goldie, what are the other reasons that are bothering you?

It is just Goldie getting older. The Bombers do a great job, really.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 02, 2026, 04:49:40 PMIMO, TSN could've easily kept airing all the games going forward in Canada without giving 1/4 of them away to a non-Canadian streaming service.

Maybe if all the pirates were paying for their TSN subscriptions all this time then it could have stayed all TSN...

And it's not TSN giving away 25% of the games, it's the CFL!  It's Johnston, the BOG and team owners.  So all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

Quote from: theaardvark on June 02, 2026, 03:27:06 PMWill the league lose some diehards?  Maybe. But those are not the demographic these broadcast partners seek. And, truthfully, many diehards are aging out of viewership altogether.

I've had 3 oldsters I knew pass away in the 5 years.  All hardcore CFL fans, and STH.  None ever "aged out" of watching the CFL.  In fact, I'm pretty sure as you get older, the more Bombers games you watch -- as you have nothing else to do!  They don't stop watching until they are dead.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 02, 2026, 03:27:06 PMMeanwhile, through new viewing venues and shifting schedules, the league is counting on putting new eyes on the product.

I'll believe that when I see it.  Remember, the all-critical market for CFL is inside Canada.  How DAZN builds more fans who will attend is beyond me.  I guess if they convert the NFL bigots (Canadians who only watch NFL, not CFL) in droves then I'll eat crow.  But I'm not sure how having a handful of games on DAZN does this...

Quote from: theaardvark on June 02, 2026, 03:27:06 PMAgain, a 66% increase in TV revenue is far and above what I had dreamed he could deliver.  I can't see a team in the league now having red ink, and it makes a 10 or dare I dream, 12 team league possible.

If they get that 10th team AND get new butts in seats, then it will have been a success.  I'm not sure even Johnston believes this is possible, though.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 02, 2026, 03:27:06 PMI can't see any downside to this.  Sorry.

What happens in 2033 when it's renewal time and DAZN is broke, or has IPO'd and doesn't need to pad its numbers at a loss anymore?  That's the downside.  (And I'm assuming DAZN doesn't have an exit clause they can exercise earlier!!)

Quote from: Tecno on June 03, 2026, 06:19:36 AMWhat happens in 2033 when it's renewal time and DAZN is broke, or has IPO'd and doesn't need to pad its numbers at a loss anymore?  That's the downside.  (And I'm assuming DAZN doesn't have an exit clause they can exercise earlier!!)

Heard nothing about an exit clause. If they have one the first year is critical.

From what I can see the company (DAZN) has the same strategy that worked for Amazon. That is, willing to suffer huge losses year after year with the ultimate goal of becoming the gorilla of their niche. It remains to be seen if DAZN survives and succeeds or gets bought out or maybe just folds.

The CFL has to have one of the tiniest fanbases to own in the grand design of being the biggest soccer, NFL and sports provider in the world. The only way this makes sense is the gambling money. Right now that is illegal in much of Canada, hence the Americanization of our game. So for DAZN it is ideal that two things happen, Canada allows sports betting and Americans also bet on CFL games. Right now I would not be optimistic for either. Being based in the UK I wonder how much good intel they have about North America and how fast they would be likely to bail if the option is there.

Quote from: Waffler on June 03, 2026, 12:14:19 PMHeard nothing about an exit clause. If they have one the first year is critical.

From what I can see the company (DAZN) has the same strategy that worked for Amazon. That is, willing to suffer huge losses year after year with the ultimate goal of becoming the gorilla of their niche. It remains to be seen if DAZN survives and succeeds or gets bought out or maybe just folds.

The CFL has to have one of the tiniest fanbases to own in the grand design of being the biggest soccer, NFL and sports provider in the world. The only way this makes sense is the gambling money. Right now that is illegal in much of Canada, hence the Americanization of our game. So for DAZN it is ideal that two things happen, Canada allows sports betting and Americans also bet on CFL games. Right now I would not be optimistic for either. Being based in the UK I wonder how much good intel they have about North America and how fast they would be likely to bail if the option is there.

A DAZN representative was on a radio show yesterday and one comment they made was having their content run year round. If people pause their subscriptions when the NFL is done, that leaves 6 months of non-payments.

Quote from: Jesse on June 03, 2026, 01:46:29 PMA DAZN representative was on a radio show yesterday and one comment they made was having their content run year round. If people pause their subscriptions when the NFL is done, that leaves 6 months of non-payments.

i am still going to pause my subscription for the months of Feb, March, April and maybe May (depending on the schedule of Bomber games) New $$ for DAZN from me will be June, July and August

Quote from: Tecno on June 03, 2026, 06:12:09 AMMaybe if all the pirates were paying for their TSN subscriptions all this time then it could have stayed all TSN...

You can't be serious with the above statement.

Quote from: Tecno on June 03, 2026, 06:12:09 AMAnd it's not TSN giving away 25% of the games, it's the CFL!  It's Johnston, the BOG and team owners.  So all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

Whoever made the decision isn't the relevant point here. It's the fact that this decision was made at all which is insulting to TSN/TSN+ customers.

Feel free to clutch those pearls all you want, but online piracy isn't why the CFL is hurting financially. Fans whose pockets are being emptied by corporate avarice who then choose not to pay for overpriced streaming platforms aren't the villains in this.

Would love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

Quote from: LXTSN on June 03, 2026, 03:43:38 PMWould love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

Geographically the Maritimes provide great optics. Realistically, Quebec City is the better option for attendance and rivalries. They seem to be serious about building a new stadium too.

Quote from: LXTSN on June 03, 2026, 03:43:38 PMWould love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

Halifax has to be the play. It's such a vibrant and fun city and CFL expansion there would be my ideal way to even out the number of teams, not to mention make the CFL truly coast to coast.

Here's hoping third time's the charm but I remain skeptical for now, even with this new broadcast arrangement.

Quote from: Waffler on June 03, 2026, 03:48:24 PMGeographically the Maritimes provide great optics. Realistically, Quebec City is the better option for attendance and rivalries. They seem to be serious about building a new stadium too.

I agree that Quebec City is the most realistic option.

Quote from: Tecno on June 03, 2026, 06:12:09 AMSo all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

The CFL I grew up loving is soon to be dead and gone with all the rule changes to try and alter the core audience and promote it as NFL-lite.  I might consider paying again if (and ONLY if) the CFL returned to it's Canadian roots, ruleset, and field size.  I gave up my shared season tickets this year, and will not pay to watch games this year, for the inferior product that is being pushed on long-time fans who didn't ask for these changes in the first place.  Corporate bigwigs and their boards of directors only understand one thing - profit and loss.  I'm letting the loss of the thousands I used to spend annually speak for my position on the matter.  If that leads to the final gasp of life from this league, it's no loss in my eyes - they brought it on themselves by alienating their core market.

Quote from: Jesse on June 03, 2026, 04:23:49 PMI agree that Quebec City is the most realistic option.

Yah, Maritimers had 20 years to make the Schooners a go and they did nothing, didn't even set up a both at the last Touchdown Atlantic game played out that way, I think they disbanded. Quebec city has a vibrant football culture already in existence and the rivalry with the Als would be great which would help them too.

Quote from: Tecno on June 03, 2026, 06:19:36 AMIf they get that 10th team AND get new butts in seats, then it will have been a success.  I'm not sure even Johnston believes this is possible, thou
What happens in 2033 when it's renewal time and DAZN is broke, or has IPO'd and doesn't need to pad its numbers at a loss anymore?  That's the downside.  (And I'm assuming DAZN doesn't have an exit clause they can exercise earlier!!)

What do you not understand about being a Russian Oligarch and owning aluminum factories? Head guys is a billionaire one hundred times over, CFL money is poppycock to these guys.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 03, 2026, 06:39:32 PMWhat do you not understand about being a Russian Oligarch and owning aluminum factories? Head guys is a billionaire one hundred times over, CFL money is poppycock to these guys.

What I understand about a Russian Oligarch is that he may change his mind on a whim. His goal is to be the big dog in online sports streaming and betting. If the CFL does not help in that he will drop it like a hot картофель.

His net worth seems to be estimated at 27 billion not 100.  He cares nothing for the CFL, if he even knows what it is, but everything about money. Sure he can afford to lose a lot but only in pursuit of the larger goal. His patience won't be endless.

Quote from: Waffler on June 03, 2026, 07:15:42 PMWhat I understand about a Russian Oligarch is that he may change his mind on a whim. His goal is to be the big dog in online sports streaming and betting. If the CFL does not help in that he will drop it like a hot картофель.

His net worth seems to be estimated at 27 billion not 100.  He cares nothing for the CFL, if he even knows what it is, but everything about money. Sure he can afford to lose a lot but only in pursuit of the larger goal. His patience won't be endless.

Man. Just so you know, he's one of the richest people on earth. Believe me, he's not signing DAZN contracts in a sweaty office or reviewing the profit / loss on this deal. It's so small it's not even a rounding error on his books. His patience has nothing to do with anything.

You guys gotta touch grass or something. Go to a library. Take a coursera class. Anything.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 03, 2026, 06:39:32 PMWhat do you not understand about being a Russian Oligarch

DAZN has averaged over $1B loss in each of the last 3 fiscal years.  Even a $27-billionaire can only sustain that for so long before the pain is too great.

He's betting on the big "free magic money for everyone involved" IPO.  That's the only thing that matters.  If he can't get that, he'll drop the whole venture within 5 years.

The CFL is just a way to buy up "subscribers".  That's it, that's all.  He's probably doing the same for 15 other tiny leagues and obscure sports around the world.  It's the smart move.  I bet he'll get that IPO.  Still doesn't mean he'll want to pay the CFL the same money once the contract expires and he no longer needs us!

Quote from: VictorRomano on June 03, 2026, 04:27:03 PMThe CFL I grew up loving is soon to be dead and gone with all the rule changes to try and alter the core audience and promote it as NFL-lite.  I might consider paying again if (and ONLY if) the CFL returned to it's Canadian roots, ruleset, and field size.

I totally agree, and you're not alone.  Many more would be willing to overlook the indignity of the DAZN cash grab if Johnston allowed a compromise on field changes.

Maybe we need a grassroots movement: Save The 55

P.S. After every game I go stand on those magic two-5's on the field.  I'm telling you, it's a weird feeling.  It upsets me every time.  Everyone who attends a WPG home game this season needs to stay after and try it.  Just go stand on them.  See how you feel.  And if you want a piece of history, take your pictures standing on it before the last home game of 2026...

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 03, 2026, 03:33:58 PMYou can't be serious with the above statement.

Whoever made the decision isn't the relevant point here. It's the fact that this decision was made at all which is insulting to TSN/TSN+ customers.

I'm dead serious.  It's like when I see a shoplifter run past me at the grocery store.  That idiot just raised the price of my already crazy-priced groceries.  Just because you don't want to acknowledge cause and effect doesn't suddenly make me happier about subsidizing freeloaders.

And I 100% agree the DAZN debacle is insulting to TSN customers (of which I am one).  Both things can be true.  Two wrongs don't make a right.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 03, 2026, 03:33:58 PMFans whose pockets are being emptied by corporate avarice who then choose not to pay for overpriced streaming platforms aren't the villains in this.

Lol, OK Che.  Viva la resistance.

And are you including WFC in that "corporate avarice"?  Because the teams and team owners are going to be the major beneficiaries of the new media deal.  Is WFC a villain too?  Do you think we should scale the PAS walls to watch the home games for free because tickets are too expensive?  That'll show them!

Quote from: The Zipp on June 03, 2026, 03:33:39 PMi am still going to pause my subscription for the months of Feb, March, April and maybe May (depending on the schedule of Bomber games) New $$ for DAZN from me will be June, July and August

If you pause for 3 months, you're paying $315 a year vs $300/yr if you don't pause.  If you pause for 4 months, then it is slightly in your favor, but probably not worth your hassle ($10-$20 and have to remember to cancel/renew).

Quote from: Tecno on June 04, 2026, 08:04:26 AMI'm dead serious.  It's like when I see a shoplifter run past me at the grocery store.  That idiot just raised the price of my already crazy-priced groceries.  Just because you don't want to acknowledge cause and effect doesn't suddenly make me happier about subsidizing freeloaders.

And I 100% agree the DAZN debacle is insulting to TSN customers (of which I am one).  Both things can be true.  Two wrongs don't make a right.

Lol,OK Che.  Viva la resistance.

And are you including WFC in that "corporate avarice"?  Because the teams and team owners are going to be the major beneficiaries of the new media deal.  Is WFC a villain too?  Do you think we should scale the PAS walls to watch the home games for free because tickets are too expensive?  That'll show them!

That reads like the type of unhinged, bad-faith reply one would post in throes of exhaustion at 3 am.

Unless you can provide some evidence that online piracy is the reason why streaming platforms have become more expensive, your grocery store example will remain a false equivalency.

Who said anything about two wrongs making a right? We're talking about how TSN+ lost 25% of CFL broadcasting for no other reason than to give away to another non-Canadian platform that'll cost fans/customers more money in order to watch 100% of the CFL. And that's after the fact that TSN+ just increased its monthly price in April. The math ain't mathing for us fans/customers.

And trying to label someone a communist - and a che communist at that - because they pointed out how corporate avarice is a serious and exacerbating factor during an affordability crisis (https://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33735&Itemid=2632&lang=en) is laughable at best, and intellectually destitute at worst.

(https://media.tenor.com/8TNgnhPPdTsAAAAM/do-better.gif)

As soon as any company puts their product on the airwaves or the internet, they lose all control of the revenue stream. Using the wildly flawed grocery analogy, once the product is out of the store, it's not making any more profit; in fact, it's not theirs anymore. 

Trump Media has $400mil+ in expenses on $1mil in revenue.

Its not all about profit/loss, its what/where them money comes from and goes to.

Not suggesting DAZN is nothing but money laundering, but the idea that betting is getting involved in it, well...

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 04, 2026, 02:23:49 PMUnless you can provide some evidence that online piracy is the reason why streaming platforms have become more expensive, your grocery store example will remain a false equivalency.

Because it stands to reason.  Take it to the nth degree: everyone agrees with you and everyone pirates DAZN for CFL.  Not a single CFL fan pays.  Does DAZN re-up after its contract term (assuming profit motive exists then, not IPO motive).

Or, if you prefer, if not a single CFL fan pays the extra $ for the TSN channels on cable or satellite or streaming, will TSN re-up their CFL contract?  Good luck with that.

To think that media contracts offered to the CFL are inelastic versus the paying fans it brings to the table is the concept that's ludicrous.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 04, 2026, 02:23:49 PMWho said anything about two wrongs making a right? We're talking about how TSN+ lost 25% of CFL broadcasting for no other reason than to give away to another non-Canadian platform that'll cost fans/customers more money in order to watch 100% of the CFL. And that's after the fact that TSN+ just increased its monthly price in April. The math ain't mathing for us fans/customers.

And in that I totally agree (except once again, it's the CFL to blame, not TSN).  Still doesn't make it right to <insert word other than steal that makes it more palatable to you here> the content.  The correct thing to do if you are mad and decide not to pay is to go watch it at your buddy's place, or a sports lounge.  Or just boycott that game to express your displeasure.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 04, 2026, 02:23:49 PMthey pointed out how corporate avarice is a serious and exacerbating factor during an affordability crisis is laughable at best, and intellectually destitute at worst.

Then you should join me in being mad at Johnston.  He's the "corporate avarice" that is putting this extra burden on CFL fans, not DAZN.  He could have kept CFL 100% at TSN at the normal prices we've all been used to for over a decade.  Join me in the discussion on how this may end up hurting the league down the road.

Arguing over piracy is pointless because the pirates have this self-image, whatever it is, and I've learned over the years it's basically impossible to shake them out of it.  And in the end I don't really care.  I just don't like how usually the only vocal ones on a thread about it are the pirates -- you should see the Riderfans one, you'd love it there.

However, I will end with this.  I can accept if you want to call piracy morally neutral.  But I take umbrage with someone trying to paint it as morally positive.  It's not.  Either it ultimately hurts the CFL, as I posit, or it has no effect, as you posit.  In no way does piracy benefit the CFL.

Question is how does TSN benefit from this new arrangement?  I'm doubting Stuart Johnson stabbed his old employer in the back...

Quote from: Waffler on June 03, 2026, 07:15:42 PMHe cares nothing for the CFL, if he even knows what it is, but everything about money.

Same as every other billionaire.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 04, 2026, 08:14:24 PMQuestion is how does TSN benefit from this new arrangement?  I'm doubting Stuart Johnson stabbed his old employer in the back...

TSN still gets good content.  Not sure what the split is on who's putting up what dollars, TSN was going to have to pay an increase for this deal, maybe the DAZN/Youtube money reduced their total buy without reducing their total viewership numbers? 

Whatever the numbers are, Johnston sold them on the value, and they are paying, and that was his job.  Whether he could get a 66% increase just from TSN, or needed the added participation to get there, who knows.  All I know is he did it, and next year we are going to see if impact both SMS caps significantly, quite probably increasing teh base salaries and the total number of jobs (expanded rosters/coaching/scouting staffs)

Quote from: theaardvark on June 04, 2026, 08:59:07 PMTSN still gets good content.  Not sure what the split is on who's putting up what dollars, TSN was going to have to pay an increase for this deal, maybe the DAZN/Youtube money reduced their total buy without reducing their total viewership numbers? 

Whatever the numbers are, Johnston sold them on the value, and they are paying, and that was his job.  Whether he could get a 66% increase just from TSN, or needed the added participation to get there, who knows.  All I know is he did it, and next year we are going to see if impact both SMS caps significantly, quite probably increasing teh base salaries and the total number of jobs (expanded rosters/coaching/scouting staffs)

How does TSN profit by broadcasting less games, with less eyes overall watching their Network?

As for the salary increase, it's great for the players but I doubt fans will notice an improvement in the quality of players or play.  They'll still rely on the best players that can't make the NFL, they're the exact same players they have now.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 04, 2026, 09:20:57 PMHow does TSN profit by broadcasting less games, with less eyes overall watching their Network?

As for the salary increase, it's great for the players but I doubt fans will notice an improvement in the quality of players or play.  They'll still rely on the best players that can't make the NFL, they're the exact same players they have now.

If interest in the league rises, per game viewing increases and the advertising for those games increases.

Alternately, if you only get a shot at watching 3 games of 4 on the weekend on TSN, maybe you watch all three for sure, instead of letting one slip.

However Johnston justified the increase, he certainly did his job well.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 04, 2026, 08:14:24 PMQuestion is how does TSN benefit from this new arrangement?  I'm doubting Stuart Johnson stabbed his old employer in the back...

He happily did if his Commish contract includes a share of any increased revenues!!

The only way this hurts TSN is if tons of people quit the CFL altogether.  From my forum hunting this would be max 5-10% of fans in '27 -- and probably only half would ditch TSN, because they need it for other sports too.

Also, maybe TSN is renting out their camera crews to DAZN?  I can see DAZN bringing in their own talking heads, etc, but also bringing in a camera crew, when the TSN ones will be sitting idle?  The wording about DAZN producing those games is ambiguous with regards to unseen crew.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 04, 2026, 09:20:57 PMAs for the salary increase, it's great for the players but I doubt fans will notice an improvement in the quality of players or play.  They'll still rely on the best players that can't make the NFL, they're the exact same players they have now.

1) We need to at least be much more attractive, $-wise, than the UFL/XFL/whateverFL leagues are offering.  We need to be the #1 destination for NFL rejects and hopefuls.  We need to beat the US$ salaries, including the bad Canadian tax impact (50% vs 30%).  This new deal will help with that -- especially if they can find a way to get it to the ELC players.

2) The high-end NATs need to be paid more.  Every year we get a weird NAT retirement.  How many of those guys would have stayed if they were making $100k/year more?  Goosen, Gray, Dequoy... guys like that.  All retired when they had tons of years left.  Money talks... pay them all $100k+ more and I bet most would have extended their careers.

I think the whole league suffers from the paucity of top class NAT OL talent, and part of that is league retention.

Quote from: Tecno on June 05, 2026, 12:06:17 PM1) We need to at least be much more attractive, $-wise, than the UFL/XFL/whateverFL leagues are offering.  We need to be the #1 destination for NFL rejects and hopefuls.  We need to beat the US$ salaries, including the bad Canadian tax impact (50% vs 30%).  This new deal will help with that -- especially if they can find a way to get it to the ELC players.

2) The high-end NATs need to be paid more.  Every year we get a weird NAT retirement.  How many of those guys would have stayed if they were making $100k/year more?  Goosen, Gray, Dequoy... guys like that.  All retired when they had tons of years left.  Money talks... pay them all $100k+ more and I bet most would have extended their careers.

I think the whole league suffers from the paucity of top class NAT OL talent, and part of that is league retention.

I believe the CFL is already the #1 destination for NFL rejects for any players without other serious career prospects.

I would hope they can expand the roster and give more Natl. college draft picks more time and a better chance to develop, pretty sad to see some attend one TC and never get another shot.  Many players the Bombers sent back to school and never invited back.

As an addition for NFL football watching, the CFL could become quite a catch.  As long as we don't try to program against the NFL, I think there is going to be an increase in worldwide consumption of the CFL.

The NHL will no longer be shown on CBC after it and national rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet were unable to come to agreement on a new sublicensing deal that would have allowed the public broadcaster to air games on its Saturday program Hockey Night in Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/cbc-nhl-hockey-night-in-canada-ends-9.7236977 (https://www.cbc.ca/sports/cbc-nhl-hockey-night-in-canada-ends-9.7236977)

The broadcast world continues to evolve but not often in positive directions.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 16, 2026, 07:01:33 PMThe NHL will no longer be shown on CBC after it and national rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet were unable to come to agreement on a new sublicensing deal that would have allowed the public broadcaster to air games on its Saturday program Hockey Night in Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/cbc-nhl-hockey-night-in-canada-ends-9.7236977 (https://www.cbc.ca/sports/cbc-nhl-hockey-night-in-canada-ends-9.7236977)

The broadcast world continues to evolve but not often in positive directions.

The end of an era. Kind of sad nostalgia. However, I'm not really sure what business a national broadcaster has in bidding on and showing NHL hockey games in this day and age. Seems like there is better use of public money, no?

Quote from: Tecno on June 05, 2026, 11:58:16 AMI can see DAZN bringing in their own talking heads,

You wonder who they can get. Interestingly enough I heard Derek Taylor is doing the Regina game with Lapo?  Maybe radio people will be on DAZN too.

https://x.com/DTonOB/status/2066920095306436821

Quote from: Waffler on June 17, 2026, 12:10:50 AMYou wonder who they can get. Interestingly enough I heard Derek Taylor is doing the Regina game with Lapo?  Maybe radio people will be on DAZN too.

https://x.com/DTonOB/status/2066920095306436821

TSN might be trying Taylor out for a play by play spot next season to lower the age in the booth, strange CJOB would let him do this if he is under contract though.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 17, 2026, 12:30:49 AMTSN might be trying Taylor out for a play by play spot next season to lower the age in the booth, strange CJOB would let him do this if he is under contract though.

I get the impression DT is not even 1% as popular as Bob was.  Many people feel about DT like MOS feels about DT...

Me, I like DT because he's a numbers nerd and "what if" thinker like me.  But on the radio you need a guy that's really well liked.  Thus 'OB might be fine with DT finding a new job.

DT has done segments on TSN before.  Remember the "Numbers with DT" segment?  I could see him doing ok as a TSN booth head.  He also has that more youthful enthusiasm, a bit like Dustin, which can help spruce up the broadcast.  Looks like TSN continues to try to get younger.

Quote from: Tecno on June 17, 2026, 01:35:49 AMI get the impression DT is not even 1% as popular as Bob was.  Many people feel about DT like MOS feels about DT...

Me, I like DT because he's a numbers nerd and "what if" thinker like me.  But on the radio you need a guy that's really well liked.  Thus 'OB might be fine with DT finding a new job.

DT has done segments on TSN before.  Remember the "Numbers with DT" segment?  I could see him doing ok as a TSN booth head.  He also has that more youthful enthusiasm, a bit like Dustin, which can help spruce up the broadcast.  Looks like TSN continues to try to get younger.

I fear Taylor's replacement could be much worse, imagine Michael Ball would work for free to broadcast a game his son is playing in.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 17, 2026, 01:50:27 AMI fear Taylor's replacement could be much worse, imagine Michael Ball would work for free to broadcast a game his son is playing in.

Ball would be a nightmare  :o
DT would make a paper print journalist than on radio or TV IMO. Too much over the top energy and enthusiasm...although maybe you could pare him with Duane Ford :D . I like the fact he does research and is trying to bring some analytics to the CFL.

DT and Osh on the coaches show reminds me a little of Spike and Chester (for those of you old enough to remember)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNHcob3oJg

Quote from: bunker on June 17, 2026, 01:55:47 AMDT and Osh on the coaches show reminds me a little of Spike and Chester (for those of you old enough to remember)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNHcob3oJg

LOL, nailed it.  And no disrespect to MOS or DT.  Like them both.  But put the 2 together and it's oil and water.

Reading that CBC will no longer have hockey.  All on Sportsnet now. Sure a lot of people have cable but CBC was easy to get over the air for cord cutters. Just one more step to sports being available by subscription only. I wonder where new fans will come from.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hockey-night-in-canada-cbc-reaction-9.7237747

Quote from: Waffler on June 17, 2026, 12:10:50 AMYou wonder who they can get. Interestingly enough I heard Derek Taylor is doing the Regina game with Lapo?  Maybe radio people will be on DAZN too.

https://x.com/DTonOB/status/2066920095306436821

strevy is gunning for the DAZN spot

Quote from: The Zipp on June 17, 2026, 05:02:46 PMstrevy is gunning for the DAZN spot

He's got a Youtube channel set up where he reviews the weeks game. His production values need work, but he's talented at it.

Quote from: Jesse on June 17, 2026, 05:44:29 PMHe's got a Youtube channel set up where he reviews the weeks game. His production values need work, but he's talented at it.

i think with some time and experience he is going to be good.  he has qb experience in cfl and nfl.  has a great energy - he may find his spot in broadcasting somewhere.  if he is smart he will try and get 5 minutes somehow on the pat macafee show and it will grow from there

I think that if we can't have Bob forever that DT is about as good as you can get.

Every broadcaster has annoying things about them but it's important the good outweigh the bad and I think that's def the case with DT. Especially compared to so many of the other talking heads in the media in most all sports.

Quote from: blue_or_die on June 17, 2026, 07:01:30 PMI think that if we can't have Bob forever that DT is about as good as you can get.

After a couple games and he got the Rider green out of his blood, I started to like him.  He works hard, has great knowledge and super enthusiastic. The pregame show is better than the one Bob Irving did. Yes, I said it. For play by play Bob is still the best but time was catching up and I'm glad he went out while still at or near top form.  Some of the other cities I have heard... let's just say be grateful we have DT.

Bob was like watching a game with your grandpa.  DT is like watching a game with your ADHD / autist nephew who drank Dr Pepper instead of taking his ritalin.

Personally I like both.  Sometimes it's nice to have some soothing time with your grandpa.  Sometimes you want the excitement of someone more your own age.  Clearly those in charge of media think we need to "go younger".  And so here we are.