CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[wpg#1]

Well, we all have a great opportunity to find out on Saturday.  I for one will be asking nearly everyone in ear shot around my seat what they think.  I'm in a 99% STH area.  These are the fans whose opinion matters most.  If even 10% of STHs cancel next year, that will be disaster for WFC and the league.

I agree. I will be asking the people around us on Saturday. ALL season ticket holders. I'm willing to cancel if the field is made smaller. I just don't like it !! I can spend my whole summer fishing, and just listen to the games on the radio. Maybe this is the excuse/reason I use. I've had season tickets for 15 years, after a "kids" break from having season tickets for 4 years when I was a younger man.
To me it's sad .. I never thought of not renewing, now I am.

[Tecno]

From riderfans:

Slogans for the "new" CFL:

No rule is safe
Diversity is strength... until 2026
Our balls are the same
Keep it Unstable
Great for MLSE, ok for you
Radically American
-- Soylent

Go Bills Go!
Continental Football League
This used to be Our League
You'll watch it and you'll like it, or else...
No numpty's allowed
Rules will keep changing until morale improves
-- gilligan

They'll have to change the Friday Night Football lyrics. "The CFL is America's game"
-- greenwhitenadwin

The ACFL, The Almost Canadian Football League where magic mushrooms are a command center staple!
- Bioben

So much for being wider, longer and having bigger balls....
-- Tyree

Consultation's For Losers
-- El Guapo

"Our Balls are Red, White, and BLUE!"
-- danno

CFL - We are only Wider...for now
-- Wheathead Guy

Slogans, CFL:
Where EVERY lead is safe
You too can go home with 6 minutes on the clock
We won't protect the QBs, but we'll sure protect that post
Distinctly American
Keep it unrelated to Canada
Keep it under renovation
What we're made of... means nothing
-- me

Acronyms, CFL:
Condescending Football League
Commissioner Feels Like-it
Commissioner Frequently Lies
Continuous Fieldsize Lowering
Crazy Fawning League
Costs a F Load (to Usports/HS/junior)
Changing For Little (scraps from the NFL)
-- me

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I wouldn't be surprised for it to take years if not decades before all fields are changed.  There is no legal requirement for them to do so. I don't even know know what their motivation would be. Only a tiny fraction end up in the pros, this is not why they exist.

Yep, at the community level much of these changes are going to be ignored or voted down and they'll continue on with what they have as best they can, as most of the infrastructure and equipment is paid for through the fundraising of volunteers and donations.  When it comes to improving recreation facilities in many communities across Canada the funding pot is empty.  The 10 ****** in the room that decided to invoke these changes are disconnected from the grassroots of sport.

[blue_gold_84]

The CFL: "We're pretty much broke, our business model is unsustainable, and the bulk of our franchises can't turn a profit."

Also the CFL: "Let's make a bunch of unilateral changes that will cost millions - with no guarantee of a return on investment."

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Interestingly enough the chair of the BOG is also the Chancellor for the U of Sask so while he isn't directly representing USports he would have an indirect linkage to them and certainly an understanding of their challenges and  should be championing their cause through these changes.  His title alone will open the doors to the discussions and I am sure when talk of these changes was begin discussed every member of the BOG would have had the opportunity to being their ideas, thoughts and concerns. 

They aren't a bunch of dimwits - these people have likely worked on other transformational changes in their careers and have thought through this process - doesn't mean mistakes don't happen but the hyperbole on this is pretty intense ..and maybe that is good - perhaps people and fans have been a bit lukewarm towards the CFL and this has got them a bit more passionate.

Not likely what happened, the league hired Johnston specifically to investigate changes and come up with suggestions to improve the game. He produced a report in record time with a small team of data nerds without consultation from other interested or affected parties.  The BOG convened for a meeting, maybe 2-3 hours, had a steak dinner threw back a few drinks and approved the recommended changes on the spot. What little input or objection any had was likely washed away in a bid for conformity among peers, who are far from equal parties.

[The Zipp]

Not likely what happened, the league hired Johnston specifically to investigate changes and come up with suggestions to improve the game. He produced a report in record time with a small team of data nerds without consultation from other interested or affected parties.  The BOG convened for a meeting, maybe 2-3 hours, had a steak dinner threw back a few drinks and approved the recommended changes on the spot. What little input or objection any had was likely washed away in a bid for conformity among peers, who are far from equal parties.

you are free to believe what you want but I do think Ambrosie was well aware of the BOG plans and he wasn't the guy to be the spokesperson and implementer of them, hence the retirement...this has been ongoing since 2021 when there were formal and announced discussions with the XFL.  This is not 5 months old

[gobombersgo]

The commish is going to be on Winnipeg Sports Talk shortly.

[theaardvark]

The commish is going to be on Winnipeg Sports Talk shortly.

https://youtu.be/z_8XZSfiFJo?t=2042

[theaardvark]

Starts at minute 34

[wpg#1]

So... that did nothing to change my mind. I believe he wants to NFL the CFL.
Moving the goalposts and making the field smaller is not going to make the game more exciting. He claims it will, and has NO proof.

[The Zipp]

So... that did nothing to change my mind. I believe he wants to NFL the CFL.
Moving the goalposts and making the field smaller is not going to make the game more exciting. He claims it will, and has NO proof.

i didn't hear that at all.

i do believe that not having the goalposts in the front middle of the end zone will make more plays possible.  you can't prove something that hasn't been in place. 

embrace change - don't accept the status qui and be positive. 

it was a very good interview - cfl is in good hands

[wpg#1]

He claims it will be more exciting. I already think the CFL is the more exciting of the 2, and these changes will not make a difference or bring in more fans, especially in Toronto where they don't care anyway.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

So... that did nothing to change my mind. I believe he wants to NFL the CFL.
Moving the goalposts and making the field smaller is not going to make the game more exciting. He claims it will, and has NO proof.

Funny, does "grow the game" immediately equate to "change the game"?  Did anyone consult Wade about improvements that could be made to the game day experience?

Delusional "we want to solidify our place at the top of the North American professional sports echelon".

Fact: The CFL is a small market league, limited by the population of Canada.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I got to meet the commissioner early this season and was left generally impressed. It was a good move for him to come on and do the interview. Still reasonably impressed. He seems reasonable. He spoke with data when it was possible and relevant. He talked through some scenarios that he and the membership worked through as they worked through the process. They talked about the clock and why they went with the changes. They remain committed to ensuring the end of the game clock still works for comebacks and excitement and they're going to look at it to make sure it stays awesome.


   

[bunker]

Agree
Thought he did a good interview. Hope he's genuine about the true motivation for the changes. Time will tell.
Hustler did a good job being respectful but touching on all the controversies.