CFL 2026 Season

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by elly63

I posted earlier an article which basically says Tanguay is not interested, the stadium cannot be expanded, and Tanguay seems to think they need a 35-40k stadium IIRC

Tanguay can always change his mind. What’s missing probably is an owner with the financial backing to make things work. If Pelladeau had been interested in a QC team, for instance, and the plan promised benefits for Laval, I suspect Tanguay would sing a different tune.

Then again, I’m one of the few fans who thinks that QC makes more sense for expansion than Halifax, so maybe I’m just delusional in my own way.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

Tanguay can always change his mind. What’s missing probably is an owner with the financial backing to make things work. If Pelladeau had been interested in a QC team, for instance, and the plan promised benefits for Laval, I suspect Tanguay would sing a different tune.

Then again, I’m one of the few fans who thinks that QC makes more sense for expansion than Halifax, so maybe I’m just delusional in my own way.

I did some research on Tanguay a few years ago and while he is a big fish in a small pond he may not be a big enough fish for the big pond. And I'm personally not too keen on ownership groups (unlike Calgary and Ottawa) where some individuals aren't approaching the billion mark.

With Halifax comes the league coast to coast dream but Quebec has the rivalry aspect which could be appealing. I have my doubts how great a draw they would be away from home though.

[jonny24]

Johnston denies ‘Americanization’ of CFL, provides more clarity on upcoming rule changes

Johnston insists that is not the case.

“It was so far from anyone’s thought at the league office that it was a shock,” said Johnston when asked directly if anyone at the league was trying to “Americanize” the CFL on Episode 9 of Luke Willson’s ”Film Never Lies" podcast. “Not a person, not a thought, nothing. It [the accusation] truly took us aback, because it was never a consideration. This was about some modernization of some rules that will allow our game to be exposed in the best possible light.

Well he's either lying, or they're idiots.

Nothing of substance in the article anyway, as far as the actual rule changes. Kind of a half-assed spin attempt, with TSN in on the sell job:

All the upcoming changes go hand in hand, and with the goal posts being moved back, the end zones will also be shortened by five yards. While they will still remain the largest end zone in professional football, the change is almost necessary to keep the kicking game relevant.

This is not a quote from the commish/league. This is TSN's reporter helping "justify" things with more "trust me, bro" assurance.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Well he's either lying, or they're idiots.

Exactly as I said earlier about him and the mullet, take your pick. And then there's the timing vis a vis Trump and Elbow's Up. Yikes. The fact that they hid it and didn't consult the most important stakeholders (the players and coaches and fans) is all telling. Something is fishy in the state of Denmark.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Johnston denies ‘Americanization’ of CFL, provides more clarity on upcoming rule changes

• Video Link

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Well he's either lying, or they're idiots.

This is the League that completely failed to take advantage of a nationwide surge in patriotism that, as the country’s largest domestic league, it was uniquely positioned to benefit from. I’m willing to bet it was the latter.

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Wanting to keep the CFL's more distinctive features, as to what makes it unique to the American counterpart (55 yard line, longer end zones, more missed FG returns, etc), makes one an "NFL fanboy?" That's very bizarre, to say the least.

Common sense would dictate that most of those who are against the field changes, are doing so since they love the uniqueness and excitement of the Canadian game, but how one arrives at thinking anyone against the changes are "NFL fantasy fanboys," is anyone's guess...

I probably accused you being an NFL fantasy league fan when I read your post that stated “watered down NFL field”. I naturally get defensive whenever anyone refers to the CFL as watered down NFL, or second rate league… again, it’s very common for those types of “fans” to come to a CFL forum and trash talk the league. Surely you can agree with that?

Common sense also dictates that removing 10 yards of the playing field isn’t necassirly a core item that makes the CFL so great. It’s the three downs, 12 men, wide field, halo, waggle, 1 yard off the line. The length of the surface will have a marginal effect in my opinion on the number of field goals. It won’t affect the epic passing plays to the outside, the epic running game. Likewise with the reduced end zones, which I believe the best outcome of them is that they are now standard accross the league, instead of the current Mtl corner cutoff, TO 17 yrd in one end zone, Etc…. My opinion

Also, you assumed I don’t follow the CFL, which I doubt you’d still make that case.

Also, can you please provide reference to your 3/4 fans disagree with the changes?.. I may have missed where you already referenced it.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Johnston denies ‘Americanization’ of CFL, provides more clarity on upcoming rule changes



Well he's either lying, or they're idiots.

Nothing of substance in the article anyway, as far as the actual rule changes. Kind of a half-assed spin attempt, with TSN in on the sell job:



This is not a quote from the commish/league. This is TSN's reporter helping "justify" things with more "trust me, bro" assurance.

Johnston is playing CFL fans for fools. Based on his "outstanding" contribution to growth of the CFL when he was TSN President, I'm not surprised that is going full tilt on these absurd changes to our game.

Johnston became TSN President in 2010, when the CFL was doing better than it had in nearly 30 years, by the end of his tenure, the CFL was at its lowest point in ages. And it's not just COVID. 2019 had some of the lowest ratings and attendance since the I'll fated American expansion.

And this is the guy the owners trust with growing the game???

[plrh]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Johnston is playing CFL fans for fools. Based on his "outstanding" contribution to growth of the CFL when he was TSN President, I'm not surprised that is going full tilt on these absurd changes to our game.

Johnston became TSN President in 2010, when the CFL was doing better than it had in nearly 30 years, by the end of his tenure, the CFL was at its lowest point in ages. And it's not just COVID. 2019 had some of the lowest ratings and attendance since the I'll fated American expansion.

And this is the guy the owners trust with growing the game???

I think the biggest problem with the CFL is its ties with TV. TSN is ruining the CFL. The Toronto market is ruining the CFL. Fold the Argos and stream games on the internet. If there were ever a purpose for CBC Gem, this is it. Emulate Aussie Rules, and Gaelic football. They are comparable leagues. It should not be a business.

Also, I don't know one single person in support of the latest rule changes, out of about 30 season ticket holders and dozens more who regularly attend games. But I am a Bomber fan, so my experience is as an outlier. Sorry BD, I responded to your post, but I addressed several recent posts as well.

[craner]

Originally Posted by elly63

Here's a wild fantasy. Early TV shows in the US had one sponsor who controlled everything. Partially because of the quiz scandals, the networks regained control and used participating commercial sponsors by splitting a show into segments that several advertisers could sponsor.

The league could sell it's product and time to each network, minimizing their financial risk.

How about Sportsnet's CFL Game of the Week on Thursday, Friday Night Football on TSN, the CFL on CTV/TSN (Saturday afternoon) and Football Night in Canada on CBC Saturday night

Totally not going to happen but interesting nonetheless. Two of those four events already exist and it was rumoured at one time Sportsnet might be interested in a game of the week.

That would be an absolutely perfect broadcast schedule for the CFL.
I would love that to happen - but as you say - it never will unfortunately.

[Hackslack]

Can’t see SN picking up CFL, as the Jays are on almost every day, and since they own the Jays, they want all eyes on the Jays, not rival sport competition… one can hope though…

[BlackDog204]

The CBC needs to bid on CFL games. It makes zero sense that they do not carry any games, as they are the public broadcaster (unless they cheapened out like they did against Rogers for NHL rights).

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Can’t see SN picking up CFL, as the Jays are on almost every day, and since they own the Jays, they want all eyes on the Jays, not rival sport competition… one can hope though…

In one of those hell freezing over moments like when Rogers bought into the Argos finally joining the other MLSE partners and then admitted their CFL coverage was not really fair (to say it nicely) they also were looking at carrying a game of the week. Obviously, it didn't come to pass.

[northernlights99]

I am surprised how much opposition there is to the rule changes in particular the dimensions of the field.

So will the CFL back down and go back to the current rules ?

They might.

Look at the timeline for the changes. The changes to the field dimensions and goalpost locations won't be till 2027.

That gives the League all of next year to back down.

Stadiums won't have to make changes to their fields till then.

If the CFL backs down, will the League be made to look bushleague ?

Maybe the Commissioner is just testing the fans.

Adjusting the rouge, changing the time clock and moving benches to opposite sides don't require any capital investment. So those changes go first.

Changes to field dimensions, drilling of holes for posts and adjustment for rows of seats do require capital.

The League may be privately and quietly regretting their announcement.

If the League backs down on the changes, will the Commissioner resign ?

I'd like a reporter, such as my fave Kara on TSN, to challenge the Commissioner to attach his future to the rule changes.

Ask him point blank, will he resign if public / fan pressure forces a backdown on the changes. He probably won't but I'd like him to answer the question.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

This is the League that completely failed to take advantage of a nationwide surge in patriotism that, as the country’s largest domestic league, it was uniquely positioned to benefit from. I’m willing to bet it was the latter.

Couldn’t even book a Canadian act for the half time show.


IMO, the best way to grow the CFL is to make it a both types of football league.

Every franchise should have both a Canadian football team, and an Association football club with the same name and branding.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Couldn’t even book a Canadian act for the half time show.


IMO, the best way to grow the CFL is to make it a both types of football league.

Every franchise should have both a Canadian football team, and an Association football club with the same name and branding.

I'd love to see Regina get a CPL team. Just need to get the stadium to get on their horses and fix the turf with the change in dimensions so it supports both easily. I might even be enticed to get season tickets for me and one kid.

[northernlights99]

Awesome Overtime thriller last night Seahawks versus Rams !

Watch below, here is a perfect example of why the goal posts Should be on the dead line.

End zone view posted by a fan.

QB throws right down the center, no posts in the way. From the end zone you really see the advantage of having the goal posts OUT OF THE WAY !

Oh I know the bleeding hearts are crying for us to be different from the Americans.

Which is better from a purely football perspective ?

Watch this, you be the judge :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr1ih8hsLFA

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

Awesome Overtime thriller last night Seahawks versus Rams !

Watch below, here is a perfect example of why the goal posts Should be on the dead line.

End zone view posted by a fan.

QB throws right down the center, no posts in the way. From the end zone you really see the advantage of having the goal posts OUT OF THE WAY !

Oh I know the bleeding hearts are crying for us to be different from the Americans.

Which is better from a purely football perspective ?

Watch this, you be the judge :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr1ih8hsLFA

Meh. Would be more impressive if he had to avoid the uprights.

[northernlights99]

yeah right, Overtime game that can clinch the Conference for the Seahawks and you'd rather see the ball bounce off the crossbar or goalpost

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

yeah right, Overtime game that can clinch the Conference for the Seahawks and you'd rather see the ball bounce off the crossbar or goalpost

Dude, I’m a Rider fan who lived through my team losing in the Western Final at home against our arch rival cause Fajardo hit the uprights on a touchdown pass. Shit was hilarious. The Riders deserved to lose because that’s the rules of the game.

I for one enjoy that the uprights being at the front of the endzone requires the players to adjust their plays.