CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I asked everyone around me @PAS about the changes.  Had some interesting takes.  On theory in particular stood out to me, as they guy was pretty sure he was right.

Dude thought the '27 changes aren't in stone and are negotiating tactics for when the USA TV deal is renewed between 26'-'27.  If USA guys pay up for TV rights then we do this Diet-NFL changes.  If USA doesn't pay up, we ditch the 110Y/GP changes.

Certainly as possible as some of my theories.  And gives us 110-is-sacrosanct people possible hope.  Though now we're hoping CFL only gets the normal pittance from the USA deal, LOL.

I haven't heard mention of their deal with CBS Sports Network this season, nothing about ratings or future plans.

[theaardvark]

Can't recall if I saw this here or not.  Just in case, here's a petition for the league to pause and think through these changes a bit.

Petition to pause rule changes

If you're even remotely on the "nay" side, sign it.  It's not saying you hate all the changes, or that you don't want any changes, it just means there should be more discussion and external input.

I love the passion fans have, but I think the league is getting all the feedback they need without a petition...  and each BOG will get new input from his team (players and coaches) that will let them decide if an rethinking is needed.

Regardless, other than the clock, I can't see them going bock on the cosmetic changes on field size and goal posts.  With unanimous consent from the guys that are going to have to pay for the changes, I can't see fan "outrage" or "protests" causing them to change what are very logical updates.  Even without any thought toward US expansion or hosting NFL games, the only real downside is cost, and the guys who have to pay have OK'd that.

But yes, the clock they need more input.  From coaches, players and fans. And they have already committed to that.

I'd like to see either side come up with proposals for how to address the 35 second clock.

I'm all for standardizing the clock regardless crew.  Which it sound like is why this was proposed.

I don't want fewer plays, so game clock should only run during the last 20 seconds of the play clock, or not until the snap as per current rules.

Does that fix everything? 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Meanwhile it was 30-27 with 4:50 left in Sunday Night Football, and then 34-30 with 1:45 and 37-37 at the end of regulation.

BuT iT OnlY happENs in tHe CFl. 

[BLUEBOMBER]

Too many changes all at once... should do it slowly to see what works and what doesn't. I think the CFL needs to expand and market itself more to young fans rather than change the game. The game works as it is now. Yes, the field is big, but that's what makes it different from the NFL. I would prefer to keep the rouge and field goal posts as it is now. The field and end zones can get smaller to encourage more scoring, I don't mind that.

[blue_or_die]

I love the passion fans have, but I think the league is getting all the feedback they need without a petition...  and each BOG will get new input from his team (players and coaches) that will let them decide if an rethinking is needed.

Regardless, other than the clock, I can't see them going bock on the cosmetic changes on field size and goal posts.  With unanimous consent from the guys that are going to have to pay for the changes, I can't see fan "outrage" or "protests" causing them to change what are very logical updates.  Even without any thought toward US expansion or hosting NFL games, the only real downside is cost, and the guys who have to pay have OK'd that.

But yes, the clock they need more input.  From coaches, players and fans. And they have already committed to that.

I'd like to see either side come up with proposals for how to address the 35 second clock.

I'm all for standardizing the clock regardless crew.  Which it sound like is why this was proposed.

I don't want fewer plays, so game clock should only run during the last 20 seconds of the play clock, or not until the snap as per current rules.

Does that fix everything? 

You can't see them changing the new rules you like, but definitely they will look into rethinking the new rule you don't like?

[blue_or_die]

Meanwhile it was 30-27 with 4:50 left in Sunday Night Football, and then 34-30 with 1:45 and 37-37 at the end of regulation.

BuT iT OnlY happENs in tHe CFl. 

The question is actually if the new clock will result in less instances of "interesting endings" overall in the CFL. Just as it would be equally fascinating if the CFL clock rules would be implemented in the NFL and we could see if the instances of "interesting endings" increased, decreased or staying the same.

I don't think anyone doubts that the best players in the world are capable of storming back on each other and creating some real drama in the last 2 minutes of one single game, but the question is if it's maximized within the rules of the game. Showing an instance of that (while a good one) is cherry picking if we're going to be fair. And it would be equally egregious for anyone to point out the opposite if the NFL has a dud ending tonight.

[theaardvark]

You can't see them changing the new rules you like, but definitely they will look into rethinking the new rule you don't like?

They have actually said they need more study on the clock.

The rest are done deals.

As to implementing them slowly, its far better to make the changes to the playing field in one fell swoop, which re-assures me that the 65yd wide field is not going to change.  New turf / goal posts at the same time makes sense.

My buddy and I were looking at the field during the game, and calculating where the posts would be, and the endzones, and he pointed out that now we will be 5 yards closer to both goal lines, and 10 yards closer to the back of the endzone. 

So, literally, our seats just got better.  We won't be on the 50 yard line, we will be at the 45, so it doesn't sound as cool, but we are still 5 yards from the centre of the field.

The majority of CFL seats are between the current goal lines, EZ seats are discounted and prime giveaway seats.  Look at where all the orange shirts were last game, EZ corner.

Most CFL revenue comes from seats that just got better.  More seats at higher prices.

Even the upper decks, all of the OB lines are closer.  Except the discounted seats, if you were on the 5, now you are goal line.  But the far goal line is 5 yards closer.  So, again, not as cool sounding a seat location, but actually better sightline.

No reason to re-assess these changes, IMHO.  They did thier work, BOG unanimously agreed, they've committed the $$ and now hand it over to the ticket sales and marketing groups.

[Tecno]

I think the CFL needs to expand and market itself more to young fans rather than change the game.

I've said for years that every team needs to do the fans-on-field post-game thing like PAS.  It shocks the heck out of me that they don't.

Every kid/youth/20's person goes down after the games to have fun and scope things out.  For my kids this is the #1 draw of going to games.  Tons of "influencer"-looking people on the field last game taking pics/videos for social media.

Johnston should mandate this for every team starting yesterday.  Cost is an extra 30mins for security staff.  Upside is you get the exact demo market you are trying to get in the stadium!!  CFL ads on TV should loudly proclaim this feature and show videos of what it's like.

Shame on all the other teams for not doing this already.  I think 1 other team besides us does this?  Shame on SSK.

[wpg#1]

They have actually said they need more study on the clock.

The rest are done deals.

As to implementing them slowly, its far better to make the changes to the playing field in one fell swoop, which re-assures me that the 65yd wide field is not going to change.  New turf / goal posts at the same time makes sense.

My buddy and I were looking at the field during the game, and calculating where the posts would be, and the endzones, and he pointed out that now we will be 5 yards closer to both goal lines, and 10 yards closer to the back of the endzone. 

So, literally, our seats just got better.  We won't be on the 50 yard line, we will be at the 45, so it doesn't sound as cool, but we are still 5 yards from the centre of the field.

The majority of CFL seats are between the current goal lines, EZ seats are discounted and prime giveaway seats.  Look at where all the orange shirts were last game, EZ corner.

Most CFL revenue comes from seats that just got better.  More seats at higher prices.

Even the upper decks, all of the OB lines are closer.  Except the discounted seats, if you were on the 5, now you are goal line.  But the far goal line is 5 yards closer.  So, again, not as cool sounding a seat location, but actually better sightline.

No reason to re-assess these changes, IMHO.  They did thier work, BOG unanimously agreed, they've committed the $$ and now hand it over to the ticket sales and marketing groups.

You know you're not convincing the 78%, right ?

[theaardvark]

You know you're not convincing the 78%, right ?

I don't need to, the only ones that matter are the ones footing the bills, the BOG.  Yes, the fans pay the way, and you have to have the fan's support, but at the end of the day, I don't think this will have a negative effect on gate.

[blue_or_die]

Most CFL revenue comes from seats that just got better.  More seats at higher prices.

Even the upper decks, all of the OB lines are closer.  Except the discounted seats, if you were on the 5, now you are goal line.  But the far goal line is 5 yards closer.  So, again, not as cool sounding a seat location, but actually better sightline.

What this doesn't take into account is the 20 yards worth of seating that is still sufficiently high priced currently that have now essentially turned into endzone seating. So if your plan is to simply charge more money for seats between the goal lines, that's going to go to just compensating for once decent seats that are now worse. And with the EZ seats further removed, I guess reduce the cost of those as well as their value has now dropped?

No reason to re-assess these changes, IMHO.  They did thier work, BOG unanimously agreed, they've committed the $$ and now hand it over to the ticket sales and marketing groups.

Dying to hear the campaign. "The field is a bit shorter and we moved the goal posts. It's just like watching Pat Mahomes and the gang now guys! Come buy tickets that just got worse sightlines, or pay more for the fewer good seats we just created!" That'll get the kids in the door.

[eddie8]

I don't need to, the only ones that matter are the ones footing the bills, the BOG.  Yes, the fans pay the way, and you have to have the fan's support, but at the end of the day, I don't think this will have a negative effect on gate.

i have informed the Bombers that i will not be renewing my tickets for the 27 season. i do not think these changes will put more bums in seats at PAS

[RebusRankin]

I don't think these changes are going to attract any new fans. Techo's idea about copying what it done at PAS is infinitely better.

[Tecno]

i have informed the Bombers that i will not be renewing my tickets for the 27 season. i do not think these changes will put more bums in seats at PAS

Sorry to hear that, Eddie.  I totally understand.  Riderforum showed 5% were going to cancel.  And that's huge because that forum has 5X the regular users & traffic as this place (as seen by poll users count).

What was the 1 or 2 changes you hated the most?  If they reversed that/those change(s) would you reconsider?

There is hope Johnston can see the light, at least on 1 or 2 of the '27 changes.

[theaardvark]

i have informed the Bombers that i will not be renewing my tickets for the 27 season. i do not think these changes will put more bums in seats at PAS

Sorry to lose you as a fan.  If minor changes in field size and goal post placement changes your view of the distinctive CFL game, there's no way we can change your mind.

You will see that the game is not going to change dramatically with these modifications, and probably will be a game you will enjoy more. 

Hopefully, when you decide to change your mind on ST's, there are good seats left...