CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[blue_or_die]

I'll just state what I think are facts:

The CFL is a business, facing business challenges, making business decisions that they think will help grow interest in the game, revenue and profit. The market for football in Canada today is vastly different than 25 years ago. Many franchises have and continue to lose money.  The ones that are profitable are not wildly so.

Yes, that's all true.

The results attained by the league as of today are, generally speaking, the result of having a fairly traditional and reserved approach to major changes.

Zero idea how that's true. "The league has had the same rules and field of play for a long time. That's the reason I'm not going to watch it" doesn't math.

If being very different from the global market leader was helpful, we would have more full stadiums across Canada.

It's not being "very different" that's bringing people in nor keeping them away. To make that claim, you'd have to show some evidence or at least logic behind that.

Euro hockey leagues play with international rules. If they changed their rules to match those of the NHL, would they attract more fans? I can't possibly see how you can say yes to that question.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Yes, that's all true.

Zero idea how that's true. "The league has had the same rules and field of play for a long time. That's the reason I'm not going to watch it" doesn't math.

It's not being "very different" that's bringing people in nor keeping them away. To make that claim, you'd have to show some evidence or at least logic behind that.

Euro hockey leagues play with international rules. If they changed their rules to match those of the NHL, would they attract more fans? I can't possibly see how you can say yes to that question.

If younger Europeans began watching the NHL more and more and prefering that style of hockey and as a result many European teams were losing money and suffering poor attendance then of course they would consider it. It's the most obvious answer ever.

[jets4life]

If younger Europeans began watching the NHL more and more and prefering that style of hockey and as a result many European teams were losing money and suffering poor attendance then of course they would consider it. It's the most obvious answer ever.

You cannot even compare hockey with football.  Hockey has become a rich man's game. The cost of equipment, renting ice, and everything that goes with it, has prevented most North Americans from playing it. There is a reason the NHL is still over 95% white. No matter how many Europeans or North Americans become interested in ice hockey, only a minority will be able to afford it.

It's becoming like golf or tennis. If you are not rich, or middle class (and willing to make great personal sacrifices financially for your kid), your kid will not be able to afford to play. Why do you think in Canada sports like soccer and basketball have grown leaps and bounds over hockey in the past 40 years? They are relatively inexpensive, and most Canadian families have to disposable income to enroll their children into those sports.

[jets4life]

BTW, I've been hearing a lot of talk that the powers that be, who want these changes (rich executives in Toronto), secretly hope the CFL fails after the new changes come into effect, as it would open up Toronto for NFL expansion.  The CFL is the only barrier left for the NFL to place a team in Toronto, and that will be much easier when the field is the same size.

[ModAdmin]

BTW, I've been hearing a lot of talk that the powers that be, who want these changes (rich executives in Toronto), secretly hope the CFL fails after the new changes come into effect, as it would open up Toronto for NFL expansion.  The CFL is the only barrier left for the NFL to place a team in Toronto, and that will be much easier when the field is the same size.

That is one heck of a conspiracy theory. 

[jets4life]

Regardless, a bunch of corporate bigwigs, who could not give a **** about the tradition of the CFL, have decided to change the game, in order to appeal to fans in the GTA.  It's doomed to fail, since the only football people in Toronto care for is the NFL, and I am sure some show contempt for the CFL, as it's in their way of one day being granted a NFL team, so that the city has a pro sports team in every major team sport (NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and NFL).


What will happen, is it will alienate fans in traditional CFL markets, especially in the prairie provinces. A small but significant number of CFL loyalists, and observant fans will see it for what it is- a watered down version of the NFL, no different than then USFL, XFL, UFL, or the WLAF. It will be the final nail of the coffin, if these changes are allowed to proceed, and the CFL will be finished for good.

Mark my words. If the corporate executives running the CFL eliminate the 55 yard line, and reduce the size of the end zone, the CFL will fold.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I love how the people who are all mad about this can simultaneously attack all relevant proof point using only their own opinions and ask for loads of data while simultaneously inventing their own data, state opinions as facts and pat each other on the back while doing so.

Meanwhile, the Bombers just played a football game in front of 8,000 people.

Are you guys done? To be quite honest, from my perspective, some of you would be better off not posting after 2026 so maybe changes will be a win in more ways than one.

[TBURGESS]

Please answer my question... Do you think these changes will work? Will they make American's want to watch? That's the crux of the issue. 

[Blue In BC]

That is one heck of a conspiracy theory. 

No kidding. The NFL wants 65K - 85K size stadiums. Look at the size and cost of the newer facilities. What did the stadium in Vegas cost?

There are many cities in the USA that want a team and will get one before any Canadian city.

[dd]

Please answer my question... Do you think these changes will work? Will they make American's want to watch? That's the crux of the issue.

No it won't. They don't care about our fringe league, never have and never will. The cfl is like the usual to us, if they went 3 downs and changed the field, would you watch that league, probably not because it's crappy football. They view our game the same way, a minor league with inferior talent.

[Sway]

I think some Speculation Theories are warranted here.

All the owners unanimously secretly agree to these changes....hmmmm

Why?  Not even old stock CFL born n bred Wade Miller opposes.

It could be as simple as the CFL teams will host NFL regular season games after 2027. And the field changes were necessary to allow that.

Owners would make more money on 1 game then the whole season pretty much.

That's my theory

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Please answer my question... Do you think these changes will work? Will they make American's want to watch? That's the crux of the issue.

They aren't designed to make Americans watch. At least it's not the primary motivation or outcome I don't think.

[theaardvark]

Saskatchewan is in 1st place, and they had a chance to wrap up 1st overall tonight. Attendance? 27,500.

Fans are outraged by the ill conceived changes to the game, and are putting their foot down.

Edm fighting for a playoff spot, having won some good games recently, and they drew...

about 8K? can't find the numbers anywhere, but if there were 8k I'd be surprised...

[blue_or_die]

If younger Europeans began watching the NHL more and more and prefering that style of hockey and as a result many European teams were losing money and suffering poor attendance then of course they would consider it. It's the most obvious answer ever.

lol "the most obvious answer ever".

Good one. K, well that explains your stance then.

Please answer my question... Do you think these changes will work? Will they make American's want to watch? That's the crux of the issue.

It will make everyone want to watch more because there is a correlation between # of fans and field layout. If you change the field layout to match, it automatically makes more fans. Correlation means causation. It's the most obvious answer.

[theaardvark]

BTW, I've been hearing a lot of talk that the powers that be, who want these changes (rich executives in Toronto), secretly hope the CFL fails after the new changes come into effect, as it would open up Toronto for NFL expansion.  The CFL is the only barrier left for the NFL to place a team in Toronto, and that will be much easier when the field is the same size.

LOL.

The CFL does not need to fail for a Toronto NFL franchise to happen.

Buffalo would have to fail.  And $2billion for a new franchise, not sure that's even possible for the Rich Executives in Toronto.  Relocating Buffalo might be, even part time.

And the Argos could fold without the CFL folding.  8 teams makes for a better league.  Or move the Argos to Oshawa, Newmarket, Brampton or London with new owners.

And NFL team in Toronto does not spell doom for the CFL.  Who's to say it doesn't actually help.  Its not like the Toronto market gate has been anything good, and while the TSN deal takes in those households, they do not necessarily go away with an NFL franchise there, in fact, they might become more loyal, boycotting the league that stole their Argos.

Again, I think changing from the 5 yards to a fair catch would be a larger change than the field / goal post changes, and "Americanizing" the game.

The changes do open up opportunities to practice/play almost anywhere, no one can deny that.  Whether those opportunities are taken advantage of, and how many of them do, we can only wait and see.

In the meantime, we have to wait to see how the changes affect things, and only THEN can a judgment be made.