https://3downnation.com/2025/03/16/if-cfl-wants-real-difference-maker-as-commissioner-compensation-needs-to-be-raised-commensurate-with-leagues-business/
"Outgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie earned around $750,000 annually, with bonuses giving him the chance to boost his compensation to approximately $1 million, per sources."
"According to sources, the CFL's estimated revenues are between $200 and $300 million.Ambrosie's earnings represent much less than one percent of the three down league's business. High-end executives point out that's not commensurate compensation compared to other public or private companies. If the board of governors want an innovative leader, the minimum starting point could be $2 million."
One million seems more than decent compensation for the commissioner job, in lieu of the salary restrictions CFL coaches and players are forced to live within, I don't think an increase is justified.
They really think that the $750K - $1 Mil salary is the problem?
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 16, 2025, 05:04:01 PMThey really think that the $750K - $1 Mil salary is the problem?
Don't know if this is an actual issue or if 3DN is beating the weeds to create stories.
Wow.
Commish, if it is a full time gig, should be well compensated, for sure.
Do we need a full time commish? Or should we have someone guiding the league who is already rich and doesn't need $2mil a year, and a staff of administrators to take care of the details at a fraction of that cost.
Uh, if you would have asked me before reading this I'd probably guess the commish gets $400-$500k. That's like what a decent GM or top HC would get.
Commish is basically a figurehead -- a handshaking, tongue-wagging, meet&greeting, baby-kissing, draft-announcing position. I guess there's also the deal-making (TV negotiating) side, but there's so little of that each year as most deals are multi-year.
And when they do more than just the above, it tends to be bad for the league. (Think the whole global player idea.)
This is the CFL, not the NFL/NHL/MLB. The league is always crying poor and always on the verge of bankruptcy (according to the doomsayers).
$750k seems more than adequate to me. I'm sure there's a zillion people in Canada who would love to have that cush job. If no one else wants it, I'll take it!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 17, 2025, 03:55:28 AMUh, if you would have asked me before reading this I'd probably guess the commish gets $400-$500k. That's like what a decent GM or top HC would get.
Commish is basically a figurehead -- a handshaking, tongue-wagging, meet&greeting, baby-kissing, draft-announcing position. I guess there's also the deal-making (TV negotiating) side, but there's so little of that each year as most deals are multi-year.
And when they do more than just the above, it tends to be bad for the league. (Think the whole global player idea.)
This is the CFL, not the NFL/NHL/MLB. The league is always crying poor and always on the verge of bankruptcy (according to the doomsayers).
$750k seems more than adequate to me. I'm sure there's a zillion people in Canada who would love to have that cush job. If no one else wants it, I'll take it!
Glen Suitor has already thrown his hat in the ring and he'll work for cheap!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 17, 2025, 03:05:17 PMGlen Suitor has already thrown his hat in the ring and he'll work for cheap!
Think of the crowdfunding money this would save the greenie fans.
Wasn't it the board that wanted Ambrosie out? And now they complain they can't find anyone to replace him because $750k is too poor?
Then just let Ambrosie keep going as "interim commish" indefinitely. Why not. I think Ambrosie has already "given us his worst" and can't screw things up any further. I'd be totally fine with that, and it will save the CFL having to pay some other clown $1.5M to come in with new screw-ups.
In the big scheme of things, Ambrosie wasn't too awful. He seems genuinely cordial, amiable, and affable. I'll miss the slightly dorky smiles when he gets half-booed when announced at GCs. He doesn't take himself too seriously. And we didn't go broke under him, so there's that.
I don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.
Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job? He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.
Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good. Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.
What about Buono? Or Huffnagel finally letting go.
An ex player? John Ryan? Adam Bighill? Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?
There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 03:05:01 PMI don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.
Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job? He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.
Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good. Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.
What about Buono? Or Huffnagel finally letting go.
An ex player? John Ryan? Adam Bighill? Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?
There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.
What? The job is first and foremost growing revenue for the league, its teams and owners, and maximizing profits. Football, when you're the commissioner/CEO, is a product. You don't need a football guy. You need someone capable of growing an entertainment business. Put into a context you have a better chance at understanding: a dog lover doesn't automatically make someone qualified to run a pet supply business, does it?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 18, 2025, 04:05:09 AMWasn't it the board that wanted Ambrosie out? And now they complain they can't find anyone to replace him because $750k is too poor?
Then just let Ambrosie keep going as "interim commish" indefinitely. Why not. I think Ambrosie has already "given us his worst" and can't screw things up any further. I'd be totally fine with that, and it will save the CFL having to pay some other clown $1.5M to come in with new screw-ups.
In the big scheme of things, Ambrosie wasn't too awful. He seems genuinely cordial, amiable, and affable. I'll miss the slightly dorky smiles when he gets half-booed when announced at GCs. He doesn't take himself too seriously. And we didn't go broke under him, so there's that.
Disagree Ambrosie did a poor job, he was the face of the league and performed his duties with enthusiasm and had a real love for the game. Not every initiative was a success but it looks like the CFL increased revenue during his tenure, so bully for him.
He's just another victim of the modern trend to berate and criticize anyone that steps up and performs in a public position. Soon enough we won't be able to find anyone brave enough to take on the hassle of becoming a political representative, unfortunately the neanderthals from the back of the classroom are winning.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 03:05:01 PMI don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.
Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job? He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.
Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good. Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.
What about Buono? Or Huffnagel finally letting go.
An ex player? John Ryan? Adam Bighill? Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?
There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.
LOL Milt for commissioner!
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 03:05:01 PMI don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.
Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job? He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.
Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good. Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.
What about Buono? Or Huffnagel finally letting go.
An ex player? John Ryan? Adam Bighill? Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?
There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.
Commissioner is not a football job, aards. Lapo and every other guy you mentioned has zero experience.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 18, 2025, 03:19:07 PMWhat? The job is first and foremost growing revenue for the league, its teams and owners, and maximizing profits. Football, when you're the commissioner/CEO, is a product. You don't need a football guy. You need someone capable of growing an entertainment business. Put into a context you have a better chance at understanding: a dog lover doesn't automatically make someone qualified to run a pet supply business, does it?
Nope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.
You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business... just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.
Adam Bighill, for instance. Think he's just a football meathead?
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 05:07:22 PMNope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.
You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business... just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.
Adam Bighill, for instance. Think he's just a football meathead?
Not to pile on and certainly there are former players who are good on the business side, but it's not (or shouldn't be) run-of-the-mill commerce grads they seek out. You need someone with real business experience, ideally having worked in a situation where high stakes negotiations occur, major revenues are managed and grown, and there's an understanding of how an organization functions. Once they have this, the more they know about the CFL and football, the better, but I think that should come secondary.
Adam Bighill is a great example of a smart guy who's also a former pro baller, but he's also on the first rungs of a career is Finance with no experience running an organization. I know you weren't really suggesting him as a commish candidate, but I'm struggling to come up with examples of former players at that level. Wade Miller is one, but it took a long post-football biz career to get to that level.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 05:07:22 PMNope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.
You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business... just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.
Adam Bighill, for instance. Think he's just a football meathead?
He's an investment advisor not a C-Suite CEO. Man, sometimes I wonder.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 05:07:22 PMNope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.
You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business... just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.
Adam Bighill, for instance. Think he's just a football meathead?
What a whacky response.
@Sir Blue and Gold made a valid point: the commish doesn't need to be a football guy in order to be successful as commish.
Mark Cohon is a perfect example of that. A football acumen can be a positive attribute but isn't a requirement.
I don't think anyone here would label Bighill as such. Why even pose such an infantile question?
Just have a former CFL player to handle the football matters such as rules, fines etc. The commissioner is there for league well being and the major qualification should be sports executive experience.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the commissioners of the NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL all have no experience as pro players.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 18, 2025, 03:05:01 PMBarker, a little too erratic, but might be good. Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.
What about Buono? Or Huffnagel finally letting go.
I can guarantee you the next commish will be Ambrosie-age or younger. They don't want the face of the league to be an ailing 80 year old, no matter how (still) capable!
The sweet spot is probably 50-69.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 18, 2025, 03:19:07 PMWhat? The job is first and foremost growing revenue for the league, its teams and owners, and maximizing profits. Football, when you're the commissioner/CEO, is a product. You don't need a football guy.
Hate to tell you guys who are bashing Aards, but Ambrosie was a CFL player (OL OG) for nearly 10 years!!
Sure, the commish doesn't have to be a player, but you can't disqualify a dude for having played!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 18, 2025, 03:26:26 PMDisagree Ambrosie did a poor job, he was the face of the league and performed his duties with enthusiasm and had a real love for the game. Not every initiative was a success but it looks like the CFL increased revenue during his tenure, so bully for him.
Hey, I gave him his due, I didn't just bash him. My main gripe was the GLOB program. I acknowledged he did a good job financially.
But many people like to pick on the big cheese. It's not so much sincere as it is something fun to do. And Ambrosie definitely doesn't take it personally: see the awesome looks he gives I referenced when he gets booed on the field. He knows you can't please everyone all the time.
As for not being able to find someone because of teasing? Ya, again, for $750k I'll stand on the field and take tomatoes to the face every game. Plus I have some great ideas to improve the product on the field! Weeeeeee!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 19, 2025, 10:49:30 AMHate to tell you guys who are bashing Aards, but Ambrosie was a CFL player (OL OG) for nearly 10 years!!
Sure, the commish doesn't have to be a player, but you can't disqualify a dude for having played!
Are you kidding?
Randy Ambroise retired from football in the mid 1990s and spend almost 30 years in business afterwards where he focused on sales and growth and by 2007 was the president of one of Canada's fastest growing independent investment firms at the time - before it was sold for a sizeable sum. He then when to be the CEO of one of Canada's oldest investment companies for about a decade and helped that business get back to being exceptionally profitable. In short, he got the job because of what he did after playing. The fact he was an offensive lineman was fantastic, but the least important part of the resume.
Aardvark's hilarious suggestion was Adam Bighill, who is probably super smart, but has been a full time athlete since he was a kid and a part-time financial advisor for a half dozen years.
Are you done now?
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 19, 2025, 01:27:32 PMAre you kidding?
Randy Ambroise retired from football in the mid 1990s and spend almost 30 years in business afterwards where he focused on sales and growth and by 2007 was the president of one of Canada's fastest growing independent investment firms at the time - before it was sold for a sizeable sum. He then when to be the CEO of one of Canada's oldest investment companies for about a decade and helped that business get back to being exceptionally profitable. In short, he got the job because of what he did after playing. The fact he was an offensive lineman was fantastic, but the least important part of the resume.
Aardvark's hilarious suggestion was Adam Bighill, who is probably super smart, but has been a full time athlete since he was a kid and a part-time financial advisor for a half dozen years.
Seems more about 3 years, it wasn't until his last contract Bighill took on the side job.
It's urgent to get a commissioner in place soon and take advantage of the recent rise in patriotism, the CFL should get an ad campaign rolling promoting CFL football as a national treasure and they should be advertising during hockey games right through the playoffs. Hopefully they can reverse the trend of half empty stadiums that have been a plague since COVID killed off so many customers.
Borrowed from the other Bomber fan forum. "Make the CFL Great again Hats".
I'm sure there are lots of former CFL players that have had 10+ years post career in business.
Or, hear me out, you have a former player Commish who is a business idiot but personable as all get out, and you have a "VP Business Development" who is a negotiating/business genius to take care of the nuts and bolts. The Commish could even be a part time job, and the VP a full time job at a higher pay than the commish.
The Commish is just there for ribbon cuttings, Canada Day games, trophy presentations, and discussing football matters.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 19, 2025, 03:51:42 PMI'm sure there are lots of former CFL players that have had 10+ years post career in business.
Or, hear me out, you have a former player Commish who is a business idiot but personable as all get out, and you have a "VP Business Development" who is a negotiating/business genius to take care of the nuts and bolts. The Commish could even be a part time job, and the VP a full time job at a higher pay than the commish.
The Commish is just there for ribbon cuttings, Canada Day games, trophy presentations, and discussing football matters.
That's where the football background comes in handy, the CFL commissioner has to be able to discuss the game intelligently in public as he's the face of the league and is quite visible compared to most commissioners who hide out in boardrooms. So having a football background certainly is a bonus, I'd nominate Wade Miller but would hate for the Bombers to lose him.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 19, 2025, 03:51:42 PMI'm sure there are lots of former CFL players that have had 10+ years post career in business.
I'm sure there are.
But those were none of the names you suggested.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 19, 2025, 03:51:42 PMI'm sure there are lots of former CFL players that have had 10+ years post career in business.
Or, hear me out, you have a former player Commish who is a business idiot but personable as all get out, and you have a "VP Business Development" who is a negotiating/business genius to take care of the nuts and bolts. The Commish could even be a part time job, and the VP a full time job at a higher pay than the commish.
The Commish is just there for ribbon cuttings, Canada Day games, trophy presentations, and discussing football matters.
Why would an organization reduce their highest ranking executive officer to a "ribbon cutter" and then hire someone else as a 'VP' who would actually run the organization? And wouldn't you want your CEO to be known and visible and wouldn't that pedigree help that individual achieve business mandates?
And even if you wanted to split the roles for some legitimate strategic reason (of which you haven't actually articulted) wouldn't it make infinitely more sense to hire a qualified commissioner and then sign up a spokesperson or two to do public facing "ribbon cuttings"?
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 20, 2025, 01:01:41 PMWhy would an organization reduce their highest ranking executive officer to a "ribbon cutter" and then hire someone else as a 'VP' who would actually run the organization? And wouldn't you want your CEO to be known and visible and wouldn't that pedigree help that individual achieve business mandates?
And even if you wanted to split the roles for some legitimate strategic reason (of which you haven't actually articulted) wouldn't it make infinitely more sense to hire a qualified commissioner and then sign up a spokesperson or two to do public facing "ribbon cuttings"?
Forcing the hiring decision of a CEO to include the ability to be the face of the organization reduces the hiring pool dramatically.
Having 2 jobs, one that is front of camera, and one that is focused on the negotiation table / running the league, is a logical distribution of responsibilities.
CEO, COO, CFO, Spokesman... most organizations distribute that power among candidates specifically good at the task. If you can find one man to wear all the hats, you got real lucky.
If you have a million dollar budget for the Commish, you can hire a a CEO/spokesman to direct things and a CFO/COO to make them happen. Which one you give the actual title of "Commissioner" is irrelevant.
Now, should you find a Wade Miller out there (no, much as I love the CFL, you can't have Wade), I have no issue giving him extra hats. But it will be much easier hiring multiple heads to fill the hats than one head that can wear many hats.
(https://i.imgur.com/eDTmhEf.gif)
Hopefully the next commissioner revives "CFL Week", which should be ongoing right now, capped by the CFL Combine this weekend. They dropped the ball after COVID and haven't picked it back up yet, I'd give them a F for effort in creating any buzz heading into the new season.
Last year the Bombers sent Ed Tait and a handful of players (Willie, Neufeld, Demski, Lawler) out as reporters as it was held in Wpg, this year it's in Regina but it's being relegated to a non-event by the lack of media coverage, as far as I can tell no media outlet is covering the Combine in detail.
This is all I can find so far.
https://www.cfl.ca/category/cfl-combine/
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 20, 2025, 03:07:10 PMHopefully the next commissioner revives "CFL Week", which should be ongoing right now, capped by the CFL Combine this weekend. They dropped the ball after COVID and haven't picked it back up yet, I'd give them a F for effort in creating any buzz heading into the new season.
Last year the Bombers sent Ed Tait and a handful of players (Willie, Neufeld, Demski, Lawler) out as reporters as it was held in Wpg, this year it's in Regina but it's being relegated to a non-event by the lack of media coverage, as far as I can tell no media outlet is covering the Combine in detail.
This is all I can find so far.
https://www.cfl.ca/category/cfl-combine/
Maybe a few teams should use some of the nonSMS marketing dollars they have to spend by sending one guy that came through the combines to cover it.
Bombers should send Tait and Clercius or Wallace in any event, and if other teams join in, great.
You'd think that in SSK, they'd be all about Combines...
Quote from: theaardvark on March 20, 2025, 03:19:17 PMMaybe a few teams should use some of the nonSMS marketing dollars they have to spend by sending one guy that came through the combines to cover it.
Bombers should send Tait and Clercius or Wallace in any event, and if other teams join in, great.
You'd think that in SSK, they'd be all about Combines...
Sad, can't find any mention of the CFL Combine on Riderfans, maybe the public hasn't been invited to attend.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 19, 2025, 01:27:32 PMAre you kidding?
Randy Ambroise retired from football in the mid 1990s
...
Aardvark's hilarious suggestion was Adam Bighill, who is probably super smart, but has been a full time athlete since he was a kid and a part-time financial advisor for a half dozen years.
Are you done now?
A bit rude... All I was doing was pointing out how former players can make good commishes. It's you guys that said NO PLAYER CAN BE COMMISH, THAT'S DUMB.
I said nothing about Biggie, that was Aards. And Aards may be right, maybe Biggie will be a great commish... in another 15 years.
The "players can't be commish" people spoke in absolutes, and were patently wrong as I just proved.
If you want to argue about timespans and experience and intervals, sure fine, I 100% agree and never said otherwise.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 19, 2025, 03:07:25 PMIt's urgent to get a commissioner in place soon and take advantage of the recent rise in patriotism, the CFL should get an ad campaign rolling promoting CFL football as a national treasure
I make no statement on the merits of anti-USA sentiment, but I 100% agree it is a "thing" and (like every other company out there) we should be playing it up!
Rowdy announcer voice: "Hey, you still watching NFL? You're a USA lover! Come and watch real football that is 10X better with way longer fields, way wider fields, more players, and a game for real men because we only let you have 3 chances to get 1st down, not lame-o 4. And no wussy American fair catch! Our returners get their butt whooped every single return! So get
your butt out to a real CFL game, THE GAME FOR CANADIANS!" :D
However, we also need to make sure we don't have anti-USA sentiment or booing at our games. 2/3 of the starting roster is American, after all. Keep that hockey disrespect out of our game.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 19, 2025, 04:07:00 PMThat's where the football background comes in handy, the CFL commissioner has to be able to discuss the game intelligently in public as he's the face of the league and is quite visible compared to most commissioners who hide out in boardrooms. So having a football background certainly is a bonus, I'd nominate Wade Miller but would hate for the Bombers to lose him.
Keep in mind the commish authorizes studies and makes final decisions on big 100% football/CFL-specific things like changing to 4 downs! I 100% want someone who spent years playing for or managing a CFL team to be the one deciding things of that magnitude.
Imagine some pencil-pushing investment CEO guy who has no idea what the CFL is comes in and makes that change that forever ruins our league? Ya, no thanks.
And again, having a guy with a solid CFL career (even like Wade, whowas no star, but "Rudy'd his way to the Blue Bombers HOF) who also has some business knowledge can be very effective if he has the right staff.
Another name, Jon Cornish. Named one of the youngest in North America when named chancellor at U of C...
There are plenty of ex-players that can be Commish with a good staff.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 21, 2025, 02:04:33 PMAnd again, having a guy with a solid CFL career (even like Wade, whowas no star, but "Rudy'd his way to the Blue Bombers HOF) who also has some business knowledge can be very effective if he has the right staff.
Another name, Jon Cornish. Named one of the youngest in North America when named chancellor at U of C...
There are plenty of ex-players that can be Commish with a good staff.
As it's a position that pays $1 million per year, I'm sure well qualified candidates will pursue it without our help, including former players that have gone onto successful business careers. 99.99% of people never have a shot at getting a job with that level of remuneration, so it's a bit crazy to think the pay is inadequate.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 21, 2025, 02:23:38 PMAs it's a position that pays $1 million per year, I'm sure well qualified candidates will pursuit it without our help, including former players that have gone onto successful business careers. 99.99% of people never have a shot at getting a job with that level of remuneration, so it's a bit crazy to think the pay is inadequate.
The whole point of the article is that it does NOT pay $1mil, only $750K.
Yeah, for us, the difference between $750k and $1mil is not worth mentioning, but at that level of hire, the article is suggesting $750k ain't enuf. That we *need* to get over $1mil to land a quality candidate.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 21, 2025, 02:42:04 PMThe whole point of the article is that it does NOT pay $1mil, only $750K.
Yeah, for us, the difference between $750k and $1mil is not worth mentioning, but at that level of hire, the article is suggesting $750k ain't enuf. That we *need* to get over $1mil to land a quality candidate.
QuoteOutgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie earned around $750,000 annually, with bonuses giving him the chance to boost his compensation to approximately $1 million, per sources.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 21, 2025, 02:42:04 PMThe whole point of the article is that it does NOT pay $1mil, only $750K.
Then make it like every CEO position out there: give him a base pay and then add on a generous bonus that is based on league revenue growth and butts-in-seats growth. Win-win for everyone.
From what TB says, it's already a bit like that. I would make it even more generous if it's directly tied to $$ because if commish can grow the league +$10M more then an extra 500k into commish pocket is self-funding.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 21, 2025, 10:39:38 PMThen make it like every CEO position out there: give him a base pay and then add on a generous bonus that is based on league revenue growth and butts-in-seats growth. Win-win for everyone.
Personally I don't like huge bonuses for CEOs. It is just motivation to for them to make a bonus this year for themself at any cost. Like a Taman Grey Cup, long term health of the organization becomes secondary.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 21, 2025, 01:20:16 AMI make no statement on the merits of anti-USA sentiment, but I 100% agree it is a "thing" and (like every other company out there) we should be playing it up!
Rowdy announcer voice: "Hey, you still watching NFL? You're a USA lover! Come and watch real football that is 10X better with way longer fields, way wider fields, more players, and a game for real men because we only let you have 3 chances to get 1st down, not lame-o 4. And no wussy American fair catch! Our returners get their butt whooped every single return! So get your butt out to a real CFL game, THE GAME FOR CANADIANS!" :D
However, we also need to make sure we don't have anti-USA sentiment or booing at our games. 2/3 of the starting roster is American, after all. Keep that hockey disrespect out of our game.
TLB said "patriotism", not "anti-US sentiment".
Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 21, 2025, 01:20:16 AMI make no statement on the merits of anti-USA sentiment, but I 100% agree it is a "thing" and (like every other company out there) we should be playing it up!
Rowdy announcer voice: "Hey, you still watching NFL? You're a USA lover! Come and watch real football that is 10X better with way longer fields, way wider fields, more players, and a game for real men because we only let you have 3 chances to get 1st down, not lame-o 4. And no wussy American fair catch! Our returners get their butt whooped every single return! So get your butt out to a real CFL game, THE GAME FOR CANADIANS!" :D
However, we also need to make sure we don't have anti-USA sentiment or booing at our games. 2/3 of the starting roster is American, after all. Keep that hockey disrespect out of our game.
A super simple idea that wouldn't cost much is mounting and flying the largest Canadian flag available on top of the football stadium in each city, 4x the size of the large flags SuperStore used to fly. It wouldn't require an ad campaign or any explanation and it would create a visible/visual connection.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 25, 2025, 03:25:28 PMA super simple idea that wouldn't cost much is mounting and flying the largest Canadian flag available on top of the football stadium in each city, 4x the size of the large flags SuperStore used to fly. It wouldn't require an ad campaign or any explanation and it would create a visible/visual connection.
Wouldn't it be better to put back to back Canadian Flags on every field outside the hashmarks between the 50 and 55? 4 flags on each field in an area that does not exist south of the border.
Maybe in the back corners of the endzones as well... 10 yards high...