CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[Sir Blue and Gold]

And this is what's relevant. We are being Americanized because there remains a delusion that we can grow the market beyond the Canadian border.

It's not to improve the game, to improve scoring, or because anyone had a problem with the clock, field size, or goal posts. It's 100% about making the product more palatable to an American audience.

Suggesting there is anymore to this is just an insult to our intelligence.

I don't think any of these moves are designed to get Americans to watch the CFL. Look at NFL ratings in Canada. Look at CFL ratings in Canada.

The end.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

With all due respect, you must be delusional, if you think the new shortened field will make sight-lines better.

You're going to get additonal party zones on the field on both end zones. You're going to get a better view between the 20s because more of the game will be played in the centre of the field.

High value tickets go up. End zones keep their flavours and are more geared to the experience of family in the south and party in the north.

Regardless, it's happening. It's happening because the economics demand it and because there's like 20 of you upset about it still.

Everyone else has moved on. No one is going to really care by 2028 and the few people who do can take their ball and go home.

Sorry, but it's true.

[jets4life]

You're going to get additonal party zones on the field on both end zones. You're going to get a better view between the 20s because more of the game will be played in the centre of the field.

High value tickets go up. End zones keep their flavours and are more geared to the experience of family in the south and party in the north.

Regardless, it's happening. It's happening because the economics demand it and because there's like 20 of you upset about it still.

Everyone else has moved on. No one is going to really care by 2028 and the few people who do can take their ball and go home.

Sorry, but it's true.

Its sad when people are this delusional...

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Its sad when people are this delusional...

Let's chat in 2028 and we'll see who's right.

[blue_or_die]

High value tickets go up.

So many of the high value seats are held by loyal knowledgeable fans who you risk alienating with this marketing strategy. I guess the plan is addition by subtraction? Even if these fans continue to be loyal, there's no guarantee they're willing to pay more unless the changes to the game are positive AND offset the loss of the game they were loyal to for decades. So who does that leave to pay more money for these "improved seats"? It better be a much better game to go to market and ask for more money for these.

It's happening because the economics demand it

What do you mean? Do you mean the league needs growth and new/more revenue streams? Totally agree. So, how does the league's plan address this? Show your work.

there's like 20 of you upset about it still.

Everyone else has moved on. No one is going to really care by 2028 and the few people who do can take their ball and go home.

Sorry, but it's true.

Uh, I guess if you just want to use the forum as representative of data, it's literally only you, aards and Zipp who are in favour. In reality, the league is sustained by many long-term, generational fans who buy season tickets between the 20s and travel for grey cups, etc. Having lots of 20 somethings at the Rum Hut is fantastic and I hope they stick around, but they're fickle. You're right that they're not going to care about the new game. And you know who else won't care? Anyone new, because these dumb little rule changes aren't going to attract anyone new.

So let's pretend that the rule changes improve the game. You've still pissed off the traditionalists who pay the bills. Let's say only 5% of them exit though because the changes aren't actually enough to scare them away entirely. Then you've got your casual fans who don't notice the changes b/c they're too drunk. Then you have this elusive "new audience" you're trying to attract to "fix the economics that demand them" who will not give 2 ***ks about the CFL no matter how much you shorten that field (or if that's wrong, please finally tell me why). The net result is a 5% drop in audience. That means we upended longtime cherished elements of the game and actually made the audience worse.

I'm no marketing genius, but shouldn't the math work out that we get more people watching and not less ?

[wpg#1]

High value tickets go up. End zones keep their flavours and are more geared to the experience of family in the south and party in the north.

Well, I sit in the highest price section other than the Pinnacle seats and I'm surrounded by season ticket holders. No one around me likes the changes, and would not be happy to have their ticket prices increased because it looks more like the NFL. THAT'S a FACT !! You and Aards are making stuff up that you have no proof of. Pure speculation .. I have facts.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

So many of the high value seats are held by loyal knowledgeable fans who you risk alienating with this marketing strategy. I guess the plan is addition by subtraction? Even if these fans continue to be loyal, there's no guarantee they're willing to pay more unless the changes to the game are positive AND offset the loss of the game they were loyal to for decades. So who does that leave to pay more money for these "improved seats"? It better be a much better game to go to market and ask for more money for these.


What do you mean? Do you mean the league needs growth and new/more revenue streams? Totally agree. So, how does the league's plan address this? Show your work.

Uh, I guess if you just want to use the forum as representative of data, it's literally only you, aards and Zipp who are in favour. In reality, the league is sustained by many long-term, generational fans who buy season tickets between the 20s and travel for grey cups, etc. Having lots of 20 somethings at the Rum Hut is fantastic and I hope they stick around, but they're fickle. You're right that they're not going to care about the new game. And you know who else won't care? Anyone new, because these dumb little rule changes aren't going to attract anyone new.

So let's pretend that the rule changes improve the game. You've still pissed off the traditionalists who pay the bills. Let's say only 5% of them exit though because the changes aren't actually enough to scare them away entirely. Then you've got your casual fans who don't notice the changes b/c they're too drunk. Then you have this elusive "new audience" you're trying to attract to "fix the economics that demand them" who will not give 2 ***ks about the CFL no matter how much you shorten that field (or if that's wrong, please finally tell me why). The net result is a 5% drop in audience. That means we upended longtime cherished elements of the game and actually made the audience worse.

I'm no marketing genius, but shouldn't the math work out that we get more people watching and not less ?

This forum is in no way a representative sample. It is a small echo chamber of passionate fans (from the CFLs currently most successful market) who predominately like things the way they are and feel passionate about it. Nothing wrong with that but if catering to that market worked across the country, the CFL would be significantly more successful that it is. It doesn't. There is no forum of "could be CFL fans" to offer a counterpoint or different perspectives, obviously. There is no forum of occasional or semi-frequent fans who are apathetic of the changes. Both of those segments exist in real life and they are FAR larger than this group.

If there were many more "keep things the same" fans across the country who were driving revenue and therefore profit, no one would be trying to find new segments to go after.

And also a sanity check: we are talking about moving goal posts and changing the way the clock is whistled in. There is a significantly higher number of CFL fans who actually have no idea how the clock works in that detail and couldn't tell you how it starts or how the NFL does it or why either version if different or better or the same.

I get you guys care and this is the place to chat about it. Not saying it's not. But the mass market doesn't care.  They will care if the camera angles are better. If production values improve. They'll care get a better view. They might not be able to articulate that now, but they will because that's how business works. And overtime, if the CFL shows up with better game day experiences and better production values, they'll win more often. For example, if the field wasn't so wide the TV angles would be significantly better and you'd get those amazing NFL close-ups. Would that be better in the long run? Maybe. These are the kind of choices you must consider if you're serious about growing over the long term.

[theaardvark]

Seats currently between the 20's get better... you are closer to the action at either end by 10 yards.  Its just math.

Seats currently between goal line and 20 get better, action at the far end is 10 yards closer (15 for the back of the endzone) and there are no posts obstructing your view of the other side of the field.

EZ seats get better, not because of goal posts not blocking sightlines for as many seats, and action at the far end is 10 yards closer, but because there can be more, and they can/will be cheaper.

This is whether you are lower or upper deck.  My biggest issue when I had upper deck corners was how far away action was in the other end.  That is now 10% closer, and action in the close end is unobstructed.

The new layout will be cleaner and have better sightlines and closer action regardless which end the play is in, and the field of play will be identical in every stadium.

And moving the teams to opposite sidelines in every stadium is not just a no brainer, it literally levels the playing field. 

As Sir B&G said, its happening.  Embracing it instead of fighting it will make everyone happier.

The recent NFL changes make CFL changes look insignificant.  Kick offs became irrelevant.  The CFL did not touch KO's, and if anything have made PR a little more interesting by eliminating the rouge.  Yes, no more missed FG returns for 128 yards, but there can still be one for a shank or block.  And really, how many missed FG returns get brought out past the point where the ball will now be spotted?

I didn't hear any complaints when they added new regulations (the Rourke rule) for QB into the ratio, or allowing 2 QB's on the field.  Neither of those are historically CFL.  Nationalized Americans didn't cause anyone to say we were Americanizing the game and they were dropping their seasons tickets.  Taking away the 5 yard no yards and making them all 15 yards, that's not historically CFL.  Adding in new penalties for illegal hits and ejections, sounds American to me.  Allowing Guardian Caps...  before 2023, to get a rouge on a kickoff, the ball had to be touched.  How many STH quit on that one? How about eliminating having players numbered 0 and 00 on a roster?  Awarding a safety when holding is called in the EZ? 

2022 they moved the hashmarks.  Did we lose STH's or fans?  Or do we now see that was a good move?  Adding in the EITS?  Takes away from the gameflow, takes responsibility away from officials.

How about when they took away the wedge, disallowing the use of 3 or more blockers on returns?  OR only allowing 6 D players in the 2 yards either side of the LS?  Or Pyramiding?  Eliminating "sleeper" plays where a player can sub in outside the numbers?  Moving the PAT from the 12 yard line to the 32? And moving the 2 point from the 5 to the 3? How American.  Illegal contact outside 5 yards on receivers... 
 
Rule changes happen, some for safety, some for gameplay, and always with the intent on making the game better.

I get the outrage at any changes to the game.  We love our history. But I agree with BLM's characterization of the changes "modernizing" the game.  3 downs, yard off the ball, waggle, 5 yard halo, best OT in sports (did you watch the Rams/Niners?  Ewwww), our game is still amazing. 

[wpg#1]

Did I mention the high price season ticket holders around me do not like the proposed changes ?
Yes I think I did. Talk, speculate, and make stuff up all you want, we will see what happens.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Did I mention the high price season ticket holders around me do not like the proposed changes ?
Yes I think I did. Talk, speculate, and make stuff up all you want, we will see what happens.

I agree with you that it's unpopular with some season ticket holders. Doesn't surprise me at all and I'm sure it's of no surprise to the league or the Bombers either.

Are you really going to stop going to games or watching them on TV because of it? I doubt that's the outcome for most and there are far more impactful reasons why someone may or may not renew: annual cost, team performance, age, income, schedule etc. Moving goal posts and starting a clock immediately instead of winding in it is where? I mean seriously.

[wpg#1]

I agree with you that it's unpopular with some season ticket holders. Doesn't surprise me at all and I'm sure it's of no surprise to the league or the Bombers either.

Are you really going to stop going to games or watching them on TV because of it?

Yes and no. I mentioned before, I can still be a fan and watch on TV or listen to the games on the radio. I will never lose my love for the Bombers, but I can stop spending money on season tickets. It's very sad actually. I've never felt this way .. never considered stopping, until now.
I also don't understand how you can take 10 yards off the center of the field and think the seats on the sidelines are better as Aards says.   

[wpg#1]

Again... one more time ...Talk, speculate, and make stuff up all you want, we will see what happens.

[theaardvark]

Did I mention the high price season ticket holders around me do not like the proposed changes ?
Yes I think I did. Talk, speculate, and make stuff up all you want, we will see what happens.

Well, I sit in the highest price area, and not a one even mentioned the changes.  So there's that.

Of course if you start the conversation "Don't you just hate the changes", you are going to have the conversation you are looking for.  But whatever.

[theaardvark]

Well, I sit in the highest price section other than the Pinnacle seats and I'm surrounded by season ticket holders. No one around me likes the changes, and would not be happy to have their ticket prices increased because it looks more like the NFL. THAT'S a FACT !! You and Aards are making stuff up that you have no proof of. Pure speculation .. I have facts.

And who said ANY ticket prices will increase over this change?  Are you out of your mind?  *I'm* making things up?  More inventory of tickets to sell may slow or stop the regular increases from happening.  Ticket prices will increase, as they do every year, but not because of these changes.

Pure speculation, and you have zero facts, just conjecture based on a very small sample size that you contaminated with your negative presence and the conjecture that prices would go up.

Were your seatmates for the hash mark changes?  Or the Nationalized American / Designated American rules?

[wpg#1]

Well, I sit in the highest price area, and not a one even mentioned the changes.  So there's that.

Of course if you start the conversation "Don't you just hate the changes", you are going to have the conversation you are looking for.  But whatever.

I'm in 107 and I mentioned it to people around me, and they voiced their opinion. Everyone I spoke to did not like the changes. SO THERE'S THAT !
I'm sure if you asked the people around you, you would get the same response. Although, I'm sure you would avoid it because you're pretty sure you know what the response will be.