CFL Game Changes FAQ

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

On another point, *IF* somehow, Toronto gets an NFL franchise, why would that mean "death" to the CFL?

If anything, losing Toronto eliminates on of our most problematic franchises.  And leaves us with an 8 team league. 

It would probably shift from east/west division to one.  Otherwise we move east again, taking away the best rivalry in sport. 

Does TSN feel that not having a team in the largest TV market changes the deal?  I don't have the viewership numbers by region, but if gate reflects TV, I can't see losing Toronto changing the market that much.  There will still be CFL fans watching TSN in the GTA.

So, even if Toronto manages to get an NFL franchise (who has more than a billion that will be needed for the franchise purchase, and another billion to make an NFL stadium?), the CFL will continue.

Not sure their end logic, but could be MLSE wants to own "Canada's NFL team", the way they own Canada's baseball and basketball teams.  The extra revenue they pull in from the rest of the country being exclusive must have them convinced their brand is golden.

[theaardvark]

Not sure their end logic, but could be MLSE wants to own "Canada's NFL team", the way they own Canada's baseball and basketball teams.  The extra revenue they pull in from the rest of the country being exclusive must have them convinced their brand is golden.

Don't forget "Canada's NHL team"...  lol

Lived in Toronto 20 years, don't miss it a second.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Don't forget "Canada's NHL team"...  lol

Lived in Toronto 20 years, don't miss it a second.

With 6 other Canadian NHL teams is that still the mindset?

[Jesse]

And that will hurt the next attempt, for sure.

But 100% of those concerns will be answered by the field dimension changes.

If no NFL preseason games come, I'm fine with that, I'llnever buy a ticket to one, for sure.

But, if making rational changes to the field dimensions makes it a possibility for teams that NEED the cashflow, and don't have a past issue like ours, it only helps the league.

It's going to fix the $400 tickets that no one wanted to buy?

[Tecno]

"There was no nefarious Americanization intention with these rules."

"Going forward, we are committed to the game that we have got. No percentage of my thought process, or anyone at the league office's thought process, is on other rule changes."

No percentage RIGHT NOW.  They are fully immersed in putting out all the fires they've ignited.  They know they need to ease off the gas pedal for a little while, as the climate wouldn't allow them to keep pushing without losing 75% instead of just 5% of the fans.

He also says: "analyzing one step... I want to emphasize it is one step."  This jives with his CJME interview where he clearly makes these changes sound like the tip of the iceberg, NOT that they are "done" like you imply.

I have zero doubt and would bet the farm that he will do some other drastic (read: taboo/controversial) change between now and 2028.  And I'll bet my neighbours farm that it makes us further NFL like.  IF his changes work out rather than backfire (50/50) then he'll take that as a mandate to go even farther.

And at that time some here will fully believe that "what defines the CFL game is..." with the list magically one item shorter, and with no awareness of the wool pulled over their eyes.  And they'll argue that's what they always believed.

[Tecno]

But, if making rational changes to the field dimensions makes it a possibility for teams that NEED the cashflow, and don't have a past issue like ours, it only helps the league.

How is a 100Y field any more "rational" than 110Y?  If anything, doing what we've done for 111 years should seem more rational.  Doing what will cost lesser-league football a combined tens of millions of dollars is rational?  Potentially having a split with our "feeder leagues" so their players won't be used to our game is rational?

The Riderfan forum poll showed that 5% of fans (likely STHs) will quit the CFL if some of these changes (most likely the 110Y field).  Seems like the same number here.  You alienate multi-year/decade fans and lose ST renewals for a "possibility" of some scraps from the NFL?  In what world does anyone do this??  That's rational?  What's rational is: a STH in the hand is worth 5 non-fan millennials who never leave their cheap apartment.

You may have other arguments to support the changes, but this avenue is a dead end.

[wpg#1]

I'll just say this one more time .. I think the CFL is way more fun and exciting than the nfl as it is. Why make these changes ? I especially don't like the smaller field and the goalpost move. Those are drastic changes and my number one beefs.
I believe these moves are to make the CFL more NFL, and if they go through, I will make my own changes.
I can still be a fan, just watch on TV or just go fishing.

[theaardvark]

With 6 other Canadian NHL teams is that still the mindset?

In Toronto it is...

[theaardvark]

I'll just say this one more time .. I think the CFL is way more fun and exciting than the nfl as it is. Why make these changes ? I especially don't like the smaller field and the goalpost move. Those are drastic changes and my number one beefs.
I believe these moves are to make the CFL more NFL, and if they go through, I will make my own changes.
I can still be a fan, just watch on TV or just go fishing.

Shorter field is not really smaller on any given play. 

Goal post move, sorry, but I love the idea, it was always goofy having them in the field of play.  But that's some of the charm of the CFL is its goofy rules that we can cling to.

3 downs, waggle, 1 yard off the ball, no fair catches, 12 men, ratio, rouge (even in its modified form, when now becomes an earned point rather than a participation ribbon), real OT rules, actual gunners on kicking plays... so many quirks to love, I'll happily give up the 55 yard line if the league thinks it's a good move.

Now, if only we could get back to 2 teams named Roughriders...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

How is a 100Y field any more "rational" than 110Y?  If anything, doing what we've done for 111 years should seem more rational.  Doing what will cost lesser-league football a combined tens of millions of dollars is rational?  Potentially having a split with our "feeder leagues" so their players won't be used to our game is rational?

The Riderfan forum poll showed that 5% of fans (likely STHs) will quit the CFL if some of these changes (most likely the 110Y field).  Seems like the same number here.  You alienate multi-year/decade fans and lose ST renewals for a "possibility" of some scraps from the NFL?  In what world does anyone do this??  That's rational?  What's rational is: a STH in the hand is worth 5 non-fan millennials who never leave their cheap apartment.

You may have other arguments to support the changes, but this avenue is a dead end.

DON'T BE DAFT MAN, AS SOON AS THOSE NON-CFL FANS SEE THE 55 IS GONE THEY'LL FLOCK TO GAMES TO CELEBRATE IT'S ABSENCE! IT'S BETTER THIS WAY WILL THE THE CFL'S NEW MOTTO.

[theaardvark]

How is a 100Y field any more "rational" than 110Y?  If anything, doing what we've done for 111 years should seem more rational.  Doing what will cost lesser-league football a combined tens of millions of dollars is rational?  Potentially having a split with our "feeder leagues" so their players won't be used to our game is rational?

The Riderfan forum poll showed that 5% of fans (likely STHs) will quit the CFL if some of these changes (most likely the 110Y field).  Seems like the same number here.  You alienate multi-year/decade fans and lose ST renewals for a "possibility" of some scraps from the NFL?  In what world does anyone do this??  That's rational?  What's rational is: a STH in the hand is worth 5 non-fan millennials who never leave their cheap apartment.

You may have other arguments to support the changes, but this avenue is a dead end.

Rational in that 100yd fields fit in all stadiums. 

Its something the NHL did decades ago.  Some rinks were smaller because their barns couldn't fit a standard rink.  But now, every rink has the same dimensions.

Throwing a pass into the EZ in MTL is different from WPG, and different from TOR.  Not just the actual lines, but the surfaces immediately outside the lines.  How many players wipe out because of the transitions, let alone the missing corners or depth.

Now, every field will be the same, and there should be room to have less drastic transitions at the lines.

We celebrate the differences in baseball, and no one disputes what the home field advantage means in Boston, and many other parks.  Teams draft, build and sign based on the fact half their games are going to be played with certain distinct differences.

But not in any other pro league.  The fact that a player knows they are facing the same playing surface regardless the venue literally means there is a level playing field.

If every team had a venue that could house a 110 yard field and 20 yard EZ, you can bet moving the goal posts would have been the only change. 

[blue_gold_84]

Goal post move, sorry, but I love the idea, it was always goofy having them in the field of play.  But that's some of the charm of the CFL is its goofy rules that we can cling to.

It's pretty weird how you've never complained about the goalposts up until this week.

This is what's goofy.

Rational in that 100yd fields fit in all stadiums.

110 yard fields fit in all current CFL venues. That'd still be the case if the endzones were reduced by five yards on either end.

[theaardvark]

It's pretty weird how you've never complained about the goalposts up until this week.



110 yard fields fit in all current CFL venues. That'd still be the case if the endzones were reduced by five yards on either end.

I never complained, because I never thought they'd have the guts to move them. 

110 yard fields do NOT fit in all venues, otherwise, MTL and TOR would have them. 

[blue_gold_84]

I never complained, because I never thought they'd have the guts to move them. 

You might as well profess your eternal and undying love for Mark Scheifele at this rate.

110 yard fields do NOT fit in all venues, otherwise, MTL and TOR would have them. 

It's like you don't even care to make an effort.

BMO Field (110 yards)

Inaugural Season Seating Chart with 110 yard field

Percival Molson Stadium (110 yards)

Alouettes Official Stadium plan showing 110 yard field

Like I said, 110 yard fields fit in all venues.

[wpg#1]

I never complained, because I never thought they'd have the guts to move them. 

110 yard fields do NOT fit in all venues, otherwise, MTL and TOR would have them. 

WAIT are you saying MTL and TOR don't have 110 yards YIKES
Aards when they go to 4 downs and 11 players, you'll say.. I never liked those silly CFL rules anyway.