CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[theaardvark]

You somehow didn't answer the question ... That's ok. It seems the arguments for the changes have a lot of people avoiding the questions.

How did I not answer.  Shortening the field:

Makes a regulation field fit in TOR and MTL
Reduces distance needed to be covered to score, increasing scoring.

Downside:  I can't see any other than loving the difference and having a 55 yard line.

[wpg#1]

How did I not answer.  Shortening the field:

Makes a regulation field fit in TOR and MTL
Reduces distance needed to be covered to score, increasing scoring.

Downside:  I can't see any other than loving the difference and having a 55 yard line.

I'll ask again then..
Did they say they're moving the KO back 10 to 15 yards ? Is that what the CFL is doing ? Or are you just suggesting that they will ?

If Wade wholeheartedly supported this as you say he did, then I will show Wade how I feel by not renewing.

[jets4life]

I've heard that the new changes will negatively effect the sightlines for ppl sitting in the end zones.

[BlueInCgy]

My lingering back of mind concern, NFL Lite by 2028 notwithstanding, is that there hasn't been a fully thought through plan.  If there are more field changes (not ruled out), they need to be done at the same time because it's not like most CFL teams have piles of spare operating cash to make continual upgrades (without jacking up ticket prices which also has a point of diminished returns).  Since U Sports wasn't considered in the decision (not exclusively the CFLs problem however a number of fields are shared use facilities), either U Sports retrofits all non shared facilities (at their cost) or abandons the shared facilities, in which case those CFL stadiums lose a tenant and whatever associated revenue stream comes with it (probably not much but also non zero).  Practice facilities won't necessarily have to be retrofitted, but it would probably be recommended.

Season ticket seats just got worse for most so they'll either have to be discounted appropriately, or risk forfeiting, neither of which is revenue positive.

And that is independent of fan reaction.

[Blueforlife]

Miller was... and agreed wholeheartedly.

Not the way I would do business.  Not a fan of top down changes.  Power to the people, man.

[BlueInCgy]

Miller was... and agreed wholeheartedly.

And had to sign an NDA and couldn't tell MOS

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes I see that. Again, my point is .. the shorter field and short endzone creates a situation where the ball is easy to sail right out of the back of the endzone ( still exists in the NFL) and therefore eliminates all kick returns. This is called a touchback in the NFL and will happen now in the CFL. The touchback still exists with the new dynamic kickoff rule in the NFL.
I don't like the shorter field and endzone for this reason. 

I don't see the benefit of kicking the ball through the endzone for 0 pts. and giving the opponent possession on their own 40.  I think it will happen by accident as it does now, but the kickoff strategy will still be to pin them as deep as possible.

[blue_gold_84]

Did Miller agree or did he acquiesce...?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Most of the media are toeing the line. They're giving airspace to the former American players who like the changes.

You have to follow the former Canadian players to get their opinions.

Peter Dyakowski:

For now. They gutted everything they could outside of bargaining. Anything that didn't require player approval for health & safety/CBA reasons. They will come for the rest when the CBA expires. These are the first (and major) steps towards full convergence with NFL rules.

Dyakowski served as Treasurer of the CFLPA for a few years so he has insideer knowledge of negotiating with the league.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Did Miller agree or did he acquiesce...?

You can read for yourself.

https://3downnation.com/2025/09/22/blue-bombers-president-wade-miller-calls-cfl-changes-positive-step-insists-they-will-not-impact-bisons/

[bomb squad]

Here's one for the "confidence in their due diligence" front. Stewart says the changes will result in 60 more tds, resulting in a 10% increase. If 60 is 10%, then that means they were basing it on 600 tds per season. There are 81 games per season. That means there would have to be 7.4 tds scored per game. I don't think so. I think it's more like 5. And that doesn't factor in defence and teams tds. The percentage then should be more like 15%. A less sellable claim perhaps? We're watching, CFL.

[blue_gold_84]

You can read for yourself.

https://3downnation.com/2025/09/22/blue-bombers-president-wade-miller-calls-cfl-changes-positive-step-insists-they-will-not-impact-bisons/

I already did. Much like Johnston yesterday, there's very little substance in what was said. There's no basis that these changes will improve the game, either in terms of its profitability or its appeal.

I question where he actually stands on this whole thing.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Here's one for the "confidence in their due diligence" front. Stewart says the changes will result in 60 more tds, resulting in a 10% increase. If 60 is 10%, then that means they were basing it on 600 tds per season. There are 81 games per season. That means there would have to be 7.4 tds scored per game. I don't think so. I think it's more like 5. And that doesn't factor in defence and teams tds. The percentage then should be more like 15%. A less sellable claim perhaps? We're watching, CFL.

Save those stats. for his trial, they can be recited aloud at his execution.

[BlueInCgy]

Here's one for the "confidence in their due diligence" front. Stewart says the changes will result in 60 more tds, resulting in a 10% increase. If 60 is 10%, then that means they were basing it on 600 tds per season. There are 81 games per season. That means there would have to be 7.4 tds scored per game. I don't think so. I think it's more like 5. And that doesn't factor in defence and teams tds. The percentage then should be more like 15%. A less sellable claim perhaps? We're watching, CFL.

Yeah that doesn't check.  Average combined scores in 2024 per game were between 49 and 52 points.  Figure there's probably 2-3 FGs per team per game, that brings your average TDs per game to 4 to 5 total TDs average per game (ignoring singles and safeties and treating offensive and defensive TDs as the same). 

Funny enough, the NFL average score in the same period was 6 points per game less.    I have no idea what the FG count is in the NFL but I'm assuming it's non zero.

Sounds like Stewie sucks at math.

[BlueInCgy]

Save those stats. for his trial, they can be recited aloud at his execution.

Unfortunately it will likely be a eulogy.