CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[jets4life]

And if the league thinks these changes will help and will lead to a stronger league, isn't that the main thing?

Yes, because we all know that the CFL brass always makes the right choice, and should never be questioned..

To put it bluntly, most of you are  no more qualified to make that decision than you are to teach fencing

Neither are you, pal.

[wpg#1]

Do you really "cherish" the 55 yard line?

And if the league thinks these changes will help and will lead to a stronger league, isn't that the main thing?

YES ! I have long been a fan of the traditions of the Canadian game
and .. it could also chase away the loyal fans they already have, and not make the league stronger.
Sadly, it could really be the start of the end.

[theaardvark]

Stop being so condescending.  You are the one who has not thought this through. The CFL has always been more exciting than the NFL.  It's a faster game, that is more entertaining, and the scoring is higher. That is the whole appeal of the league. Take that away, and we become nothing more than the XFL.

Leagues that try to mimic the NFL fail. Period.  There is no grey area. None have survived.  Why are we making the game more like the NFL?  The truth of the matter, is that we have to market the game better in different regions.

The sad thing is, that it seems the CFL bigwigs are desperate, and not thinking this through. If we take away the things that make the Canadian game unique, the CFL will fold. It's not going to work. Period.

Where is the "mimic the NFL"?

More logical position of goalposts, taking obstructions out of the field of play?  Its like when Naismith took the bottom out of the peach baskets in basketball.  Update to make the game run better.

Length of field -10 yards, does not change the play at all, no change in the number of downs to get 10 yards, no change in any of the rules regarding play.  10 yards closer when starting in your end means you can score faster, more points.

No changes in waggle, downs, yard off the ball, no yards returns, 12 men, 65 yard wide field... the things that make the game unique and better.

Any one of those things being changed would degrade the "Canadian" aspect of the game for sure.  But losing the quirky 55 yard line and getting the goal posts out of the playing field, not so much.  Modernizing, not Americanizing. 

[blue_or_die]

Do you really "cherish" the 55 yard line?

And if the league thinks these changes will help and will lead to a stronger league, isn't that the main thing?

To put it bluntly, most of you are  no more qualified to make that decision than you are to teach fencing but in the era of outrage everyone knows now to scale sports entertainment businesses, apparently.

To the bold: yes.

To the rest...you're continuing to put blind faith into the braintrust of the CFL. Firstly - sure, they ought to know a lot about the business of football, and so I'll say again: if there is solid rationale behind these moves, just show us. How many times do I need to say that?

Second, we've called the league mickey mouse many times in the way it runs things, and there are plenty of examples where weird and fruitless actions have been taken by them. Can you really say that the leadership of this league has earned the benefit of the doubt given the history of poor decisionmaking and veiled implementation? The same league that rolled out a Global program with laughable results, or US expansion that makes everyone laugh and cringe at the same time and praying a boondoggle like that never happens again?

You seem to think that these newest overhauls are the league finally coming to their senses, when - and certainly without transparency - I and other chest thumpers (to use your denigrating term) see it as the league continuing with their usual antics. If the league brass is so much smarter than the paying fans (I'm sure that HAS to be true, right?), just come out with it already.

[blue_or_die]

Where is the "mimic the NFL"?

More logical position of goalposts, taking obstructions out of the field of play?  Its like when Naismith took the bottom out of the peach baskets in basketball.  Update to make the game run better.

Length of field -10 yards, does not change the play at all, no change in the number of downs to get 10 yards, no change in any of the rules regarding play.  10 yards closer when starting in your end means you can score faster, more points.

No changes in waggle, downs, yard off the ball, no yards returns, 12 men, 65 yard wide field... the things that make the game unique and better.

Any one of those things being changed would degrade the "Canadian" aspect of the game for sure.  But losing the quirky 55 yard line and getting the goal posts out of the playing field, not so much.  Modernizing, not Americanizing. 

Aardvark. The NFL is 100 yards long. The NFL has their goalposts in the back. No one has ever complained about the 110 yard length. No one has ever complained or called the goalpost positioning distracting or problematic. It literally might just be you.

There will be material impact to the game as a result of it moving closer to the NFL look. You are right there are still differences (for now), but the net movement is more like the NFL.

Does "modernizing" just mean making something closer to something else that already exists? If it leads to an overall more exciting/better game, that would be the hope and is absolutely a dice roll, but if the goal is to attract new viewership, we are fixing a leaky roof by changing out the flooring.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Yes, because we all know that the CFL brass always makes the right choice, and should never be questioned..

Neither are you, pal.

But isn't the commissioner of the league and the approval and support of the CEOs/owners of all member clubs? You better at business than Dolman? More proven than Wade?

Because I'm agreeing with that pedigree and you're the one who isn't with nothing to back it up.

Trust me when I say you're the one with the outstretched neck and nothing to support yourself. Or don't? You clearly haven't been able to apply logic or separate fan from business so perhaps this conversation is not quite on your level. Pal.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

To the bold: yes.

To the rest...you're continuing to put blind faith into the braintrust of the CFL. Firstly - sure, they ought to know a lot about the business of football, and so I'll say again: if there is solid rationale behind these moves, just show us. How many times do I need to say that?

Second, we've called the league mickey mouse many times in the way it runs things, and there are plenty of examples where weird and fruitless actions have been taken by them. Can you really say that the leadership of this league has earned the benefit of the doubt given the history of poor decisionmaking and veiled implementation? The same league that rolled out a Global program with laughable results, or US expansion that makes everyone laugh and cringe at the same time and praying a boondoggle like that never happens again?

You seem to think that these newest overhauls are the league finally coming to their senses, when - and certainly without transparency - I and other chest thumpers (to use your denigrating term) see it as the league continuing with their usual antics. If the league brass is so much smarter than the paying fans (I'm sure that HAS to be true, right?), just come out with it already.

The rules of the game are elements of a product. If you truly "cherish" the 55-yard line then you're a passionate fan and not in a great position to evaluate the business strategy of those changes.

Do you agree to that?

[TBURGESS]

Does anyone 'cherish' the 100 yard fields or the shorter end-zones or the uprights at the back of the end-zone? No? Then there is no advantage to doing it. 

Costs money + No Advantage = Stupid Decision and that doesn't even include pissing off the old fans who have kept the lights on for the last 40 years. 

[blue_or_die]

The rules of the game are elements of a product. If you truly "cherish" the 55-yard line then you're a passionate fan and not in a great position to evaluate the business strategy of those changes.

Do you agree to that?

I don't agree to that. It implies that because I'm happy with the game the way it is now and have no reason to believe these elements of the product as you say are a detriment to it, that I'm somehow incapable of rational thought. I am not in a great position to evaluate the league's business strategy but not because I like the 55 yard line, but because I am not an expert. That's why I would like the experts to tell me why they are taking away the thing I like. You're calling this a business strategy but....what's the strategy? Make changes --> ? --> profit? It's the South Park underpants gnomes business model.

I've said this already but I'll make sure it's clear: I am not opposed to change because I don't like change. If the league presents their rationale based on objective evidence (i.e. not a fluff piece from some out of touch outside consultant with zero skin) of how this will grow the game/sustain the league/create new revenue, or it's revealed that there's a contract in a drawer with ESPN for a multi million dollar long term TV deal in the States, I will drop this. I would hate the changes but entirely understand that they are needed so that I can continue watching the CFL even if the version is a bit different.

I GET that there is a problem with the league and I don't get how what is being proposed is a solution. That's the crux.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I don't agree to that. It implies that because I'm happy with the game the way it is now and have no reason to believe these elements of the product as you say are a detriment to it, that I'm somehow incapable of rational thought. I am not in a great position to evaluate the league's business strategy but not because I like the 55 yard line, but because I am not an expert. That's why I would like the experts to tell me why they are taking away the thing I like. You're calling this a business strategy but....what's the strategy? Make changes --> ? --> profit? It's the South Park underpants gnomes business model.

I've said this already but I'll make sure it's clear: I am not opposed to change because I don't like change. If the league presents their rationale based on objective evidence (i.e. not a fluff piece from some out of touch outside consultant with zero skin) of how this will grow the game/sustain the league/create new revenue, or it's revealed that there's a contract in a drawer with ESPN for a multi million dollar long term TV deal in the States, I will drop this. I would hate the changes but entirely understand that they are needed so that I can continue watching the CFL even if the version is a bit different.

I GET that there is a problem with the league and I don't get how what is being proposed is a solution. That's the crux.

Fair. Do you understand what I think the league is trying to do: and that is align the game more generally to NFL which may encourage Canadians who live in Canada and enjoy the NFL to give it a shot?

Do you also see that interacting with that segment might be assessed as easier than other segments, such as, new Canadians who prefer other sports (cricket, soccer, etc.) or non sports fans.

When you segment markets looking for growth, since resources are finite, you choose the lowest hanging fruit or who you're most likely to win with resources you do have. One option that has no up front costs are changes to the rules (product) compared to an integrated campaign (very expensive). They likely need to do both.

Segmenting the market is done typically from data obtained by market research companies (and a mix of approaches) but it's probably not something the league (or any business) is going to share with the publicly.

You can still disagree it will work. That's your opinion entirely. But can you see that there is likely ogic and tactics being acted upon from a strategy somewhere at head office. Again, your thoughts on the matter succeeding aside, I can see how this path could be chosen over others and no action is also a choice too. I found it interesting they publicly told us that not doing something was not an option for them. The truth is all options before them would have pros and cons and all could be difficult to pull off. I happen to agree with it based on my experience, I advocated for some of this much prior to this year, but your milage obviously differs.

[TBURGESS]

Do you understand what I think the league is trying to do: and that is align the game more generally to NFL which may encourage Canadians who live in Canada and enjoy the NFL to give it a shot?

It's more likely to encourage Canadians who watch the CFL to watch the actual NFL. They have the best players in the world being paid the biggest salaries. The CFL can't possibly complete with the NFL, so they only thing they had was the Canadian-ism's of the CFL, which they are systematically eliminating. 

[The Zipp]

It's more likely to encourage Canadians who watch the CFL to watch the actual NFL. They have the best players in the world being paid the biggest salaries. The CFL can't possibly complete with the NFL, so they only thing they had was the Canadian-ism's of the CFL, which they are systematically eliminating.

i love both - it's not an either.

  anxiously waiting the steelers game to start tonight and tomorrow this time i will be at PAS anxiously waiting the bomber game to start. 

[jets4life]

Where is the "mimic the NFL"?

More logical position of goalposts, taking obstructions out of the field of play?  Its like when Naismith took the bottom out of the peach baskets in basketball.  Update to make the game run better.

Length of field -10 yards, does not change the play at all, no change in the number of downs to get 10 yards, no change in any of the rules regarding play.  10 yards closer when starting in your end means you can score faster, more points.

No changes in waggle, downs, yard off the ball, no yards returns, 12 men, 65 yard wide field... the things that make the game unique and better.

Any one of those things being changed would degrade the "Canadian" aspect of the game for sure.  But losing the quirky 55 yard line and getting the goal posts out of the playing field, not so much.  Modernizing, not Americanizing. 

You are being disingenuous by trying to downplay the big change- loss of the 55 yard line, and the smaller end zones, by deliberately rambling on about the goal posts.

Did you notice that hardly anyone is upset about the goalpost issue. Myself, and especially my old man (who was a star Bison- offered 2 CFL tryouts) both agree that moving the goalposts to tne back of the endzone may be a good idea, however that is a small change.

The big change is making the field nearly identical to an NFL field. Why? What is wrong with a 110 yard field, with larger end zones? It's just going to dilute the game, and negatively affect stadiums that were specifically designed for the CFL (especially Regina and Winnipeg). I would even go as far, as to say that the ones going on about changing the field to make it smaller, and more like the NFL, are not really Bomber fans.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

You are being disingenuous by trying to downplay the big change- loss of the 55 yard line, and the smaller end zones, by deliberately rambling on about the goal posts.

Did you notice that hardly anyone is upset about the goalpost issue. Myself, and especially my old man (who was a star Bison- offered 2 CFL tryouts) both agree that moving the goalposts to tne back of the endzone may be a good idea, however that is a small change.

The big change is making the field nearly identical to an NFL field. Why? What is wrong with a 110 yard field, with larger end zones? It's just going to dilute the game, and negatively affect stadiums that were specifically designed for the CFL (especially Regina and Winnipeg). I would even go as far, as to say that the ones going on about changing the field to make it smaller, and more like the NFL, are not really Bomber fans.

It is most certainly not going to NFL size field. I'd rather they made it less wide than short, being honest and also for the TV experience, but that would have been more immediately contentious and would have also necessitated 11 men and 4 downs, likely.  If you're worried about an NFL sized field, they chose the least drastic option bar none.

[jets4life]

Trust me when I say you're the one with the outstretched neck and nothing to support yourself. Or don't? You clearly haven't been able to apply logic or separate fan from business so perhaps this conversation is not quite on your level. Pal.

You are once again being condescending, taking personal shots at people who disagree with you. I guess you know nothing about business, seeing as how every single league for the last 50 years has failed miserably, trying to emulate the NFL.

Anyway, you are not really much of a CFL fan, if you are insulting people who are against these changes. Go to an NFL forum, if you want our game to lose  it's Canadian identity, and copy the NFL.