CFL 2026 Season

[cjones2451]

Update from the Commish on the winter meetings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcs4RsLqlE&t=39s

I though he was more poised and answer questions directly and best as he could for the most part.

I didn't like the skirting of the issue with the possible tampering from the Argos on Cory Mace, I think they need to be more transparent on those things

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

I think they need to be more transparent on those things

On ALL things.

[cjones2451]

This is kind of interesting, some US based guys that do graphic T Shirts reviewing CFL logos....Interesting take and any exposure is good exposure IMO (Parts 1 and 2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKc7zMjcFDU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMga1teL98Y

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

On ALL things.

Its getting better

Cheers (I hope your Cucumber was bruised) IYKYK

[elly63]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

This is kind of interesting, some US based guys that do graphic T Shirts reviewing CFL logos....Interesting take and any exposure is good exposure IMO (Parts 1 and 2)

You read my mind, I was going to past that.

A while back, I watched their NHL video and pretty much disagreed with everything they said to the point I could predict what they liked because I hated it. IIRC they didn't like the classic original six logos and loved all the angular stuff from the 90s and 2000s (which I hated). I think they liked that terrible multicoloured Coyotes logo as I recall.

I didn't have too much problem with their CFL assessments. I seem to be alone in not being a fan of the "new" Als logo which most other people seem to like and they did too.

Even though logos can be used in several places, IMO how they look on the helmet is the primary mode for judging (JMO). So, seeing the Winnipeg W not on a helmet isn't too inspiring.

This is my favourite Als logo

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Good, I like that the coaches are adding their input and willing to listen and provide feedback.

Too bad it seems like the Commissioner isn't as willing

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by elly63

Too bad it seems like the Commissioner isn't as willing

I don't think he said he wasn't willing, I think the truth is somewhere in the middle of Maciocia, O'Shea and Dickenson had concerns and their data and there was 'no pushback' from anyone. This was probably the first time the league could present their rationale for this to the coaches and GMs.

The question I have the people upset with the changes; if this is so terrible, why did both the Riders and Bombers Governors vote for this, they are the most solid teams financially.

My hypothesis is there was urgency to get it done to have it ready for the new TV deal and they had to have some significant 'modernization' to get other networks (Prime, Netflix and possibly SN) to come to the table. Amazon Prime TV numbers for the NFL are huge, and at the presser yesterday they said they would like to get the new TV deal done before the season starts.

If you look at the regional deals for TV with the Senators, Jets, etc. They get WAY more money that the CFL, for local coverage and way smaller TV audiences compared to the CFL games

[elly63]

You can keep repeating that the Governors unanimously backed this but that doesn't speak to what I keep repeating, why none of the primary stakeholders (the people who have to live with the decision), the players and coaches were consulted.

Also why did the game need these rule changes to become compelling? If the rule changes lean towards the American game (as jonny proved) and the league wants to sell games to American content providers, why hide it?

The people who did this behind the stakeholders backs have figuratively and literally moved the goalposts. Whereas the wider field, 12 men and bigger end zone (although not as big as it was) are what makes the game Canadian (so they tell us), why weren't the goalposts on the goal line and 110 yard field.

Why do I get the impending feeling that those same words will be spoken (we still have a wider field, 12 men, and bigger end zone) when the ratio is lost.

And speaking of which, one thing that nobody is mentioning is that they are considering an American draft. That'll be great, the Camericans will eat up when their team drafts their number one pick from Northeast South Western Dakota University. Canadian draft? Who needs to watch that?

Can someone tell me why TSN and Sportsnet promote American college sports over Canadian? And I worked in TV, I know the feeds are cheaper.

Elbows Up! Everybody

[elly63]

CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston bullish on expansion, would love tenth team by 2030
John Hodge 3downnation.com January 14, 2026

Though he denied the CFL has a particular timeline set for expansion, league commissioner Stewart Johnston seems optimistic about reaching an even ten teams by 2030.

“I would love to see a tenth team join us by 2030. I think that’s a great date to focus on,” he told the media from the league’s offseason winter meetings on Wednesday. “I think most who’ve been following the league have known that we would love to get to a tenth team. I’m no different.”

The CFL has been stuck at nine teams since the Ottawa Redblacks hit the field in 2014. There was apparent momentum towards expanding to the Maritimes a few years later, though that momentum ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Randy Ambrosie, Johnston’s predecessor, spoke bullishly at times regarding CFL expansion. In 2023, he claimed there was “very strong interest” from a potential owner in Halifax and there had “probably never been a better chance” for the league to expand out east.

As we now know, the league’s efforts to expand into the Maritimes have yet to bear fruit.

Halifax is currently in the process of finalizing plans to build a permanent stadium at the Wanderers Grounds, a sporting complex that houses the city’s popular Canadian Premier League team. The footprint is too small for a CFL stadium, however, which has led to pushback from city councillor Trish Purdy.

“The seating count, the length and size of the field, it ought to be accessible for CFL if we’re going to do a stadium,” she told Saltwire in August. “If we do a stadium and CFL is not even an option, then to me that’s just wrong.”

Quebec City is commonly viewed as a site for possible CFL expansion, though Jacques Tanguay, the deep-pocketed president of the U Sports powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or, doesn’t think that’s feasible with the school’s existing infrastructure. He told the Journal de Montréal in 2023 that having a CFL team in Quebec City would be unthinkable without new infrastructure and considerable investment from public coffers.

The seating at Stade Telus is mostly benches, at least half of which are made of wood. The surface under the seating is crushed rock, not concrete. The venue has lots of positives but would need significant upgrades to house a CFL team.

Johnston clearly recognizes the challenges surrounding infrastructure.

“Stadium issues continue to be the number one problem to solve,” said Johnston. “I think there are a couple of areas across the country where there’s some opportunity. We certainly continue to receive a significant amount of inbound interest from individuals who are interested in being a part of our league. We’ll continue to have those conversations, and I’ll certainly update you as soon as I can.”

The CFL has certainly fallen short of its goal of expansion in the past. If this effort ends up being any different, only time will tell — four years, to be exact.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by elly63

You can keep repeating that the Governors unanimously backed this but that doesn't speak to what I keep repeating, why none of the primary stakeholders (the people who have to live with the decision), the players and coaches were consulted.

Also why did the game need these rule changes to become compelling? If the rule changes lean towards the American game (as jonny proved) and the league wants to sell games to American content providers, why hide it?

The people who did this behind the stakeholders backs have figuratively and literally moved the goalposts. Whereas the wider field, 12 men and bigger end zone (although not as big as it was) are what makes the game Canadian (so they tell us), why weren't the goalposts on the goal line and 110 yard field.

Why do I get the impending feeling that those same words will be spoken (we still have a wider field, 12 men, and bigger end zone) when the ratio is lost.

And speaking of which, one thing that nobody is mentioning is that they are considering an American draft. That'll be great, the Camericans will eat up when their team drafts their number one pick from Northeast South Western Dakota University. Canadian draft? Who needs to watch that?

Can someone tell me why TSN and Sportsnet promote American college sports over Canadian? And I worked in TV, I know the feeds are cheaper.

Elbows Up! Everybody

I don't have all the answers but have followed this fairly closely. Why push it through, because of the urgency of the new deal, stuff in the rules committee, especially bold stuff gets bogged down in back and forth. Farhan Lalji reported a simple change to the Rouge in the Playoffs only was split and did not get voted through.

If there are only 2 pro sets of rules (CAD and US) they are inevitably going to be compared unless the league went completely opposite to 5 downs for 15 years, 80 yard field with 40 yard endzones which is a bit too much the other way

I think they talked about stuff like a American Draft vs a Neg list and it was shot down pretty quickly, but I like there is discussions and collaboration. I think they do need to do a better job for those that like to watch the CFL Draft, I believe TSN carries the first 2 rounds and while I am not a big draft guy in any league I follow, I know there are people that do like it

US College is 'perceived' as better and it is plug and play for content, USports games would involve some serious investment and not sure it is worth it, especially with more and more top Canadian talent heading south. it is sad, but a reality. I think they the weekends where the Grey Cup and Vanier Cup were in the same weekend would help raise the USports profile.

Speaking of Elbows Up, isn't it the ultimate Elbows Up if the CFL captured the attention of those kids that may have been drawn to the NFL, but may not take a look at the CFL because of the changes, attention and Changes to Fantasy Football and possible TV deal with other networks.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

The question I have the people upset with the changes; if this is so terrible, why did both the Riders and Bombers Governors vote for this, they are the most solid teams financially.

Same explanation I gave in the other thread:

I saw this explained elsewhere and I think it's applicable here. These types of votes get hashed out in private, but when it comes down to the actual vote, it's already clear what the answer is. So they vote unanimously, because if it's going to happen anyway, then you might as give it the best chance of succeeding and present a united front.


I think they were on the losing side of the informal discussion, knew they were losing, and made the best of it by making the formal vote unanimous.


I think the league telling us everyone is for it, is more spin and lies.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by elly63

Halifax is currently in the process of finalizing plans to build a permanent stadium at the Wanderers Grounds, a sporting complex that houses the city’s popular Canadian Premier League team. The footprint is too small for a CFL stadium, however, which has led to pushback from city councillor Trish Purdy.

I wonder if reporting like this contributes to poor understanding and a lack of direction. The parcel of publicly-owned land there isn't too small, it's enormous. The problem is that the municipality doesn't want to relocate other uses such as lawn bowling. The proposed stadium project is a bit bizarre in that the budget is over $100M but the seating would barely be expanded and there are various unrelated proposed improvements, like adding a new conservatory.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Why push it through, because of the urgency of the new deal, stuff in the rules committee, especially bold stuff gets bogged down in back and forth. F

The "urgency" is self-created. They knew the end of the contract when they signed it. It's not a change, it's not a surprise.

Spin.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Same explanation I gave in the other thread:

I saw this explained elsewhere and I think it's applicable here. These types of votes get hashed out in private, but when it comes down to the actual vote, it's already clear what the answer is. So they vote unanimously, because if it's going to happen anyway, then you might as give it the best chance of succeeding and present a united front.


I think they were on the losing side of the informal discussion, knew they were losing, and made the best of it by making the formal vote unanimous.


I think the league telling us everyone is for it, is more spin and lies.

I have seen that proposed elsewhere too, but let me ask you this. If not for the reasons I proposed, why would the league do this. Lets say for arguments sake it is for going after the US Market. Is that going to offer more security and financial upside that focusing on Canada. Every Spring League in the US has been a disaster and bleeds money (Any big US network that has partnered with the AAF/XFL/USFL/UFL has done it on a revenue sharing model so no up front money.
There is also season overlap and once College and NFL starts they would be dead in he water so so what would they do start in March - no chance!

Seeing the pushback on these changes, could you imagine if they did other rule changes, or eliminated the ratio or became an NFL farm system - it would die and the owners know this. They are not idiots, Stewart Johnston is not an idiot, he was still running TSN and resigned to become CFL Commish, so its not like he was fired.

So this whole they want to Americanize the game to get US TV dollars or US expansion does not make sense

If one is really reaching to say they are planning to stay in Canada and trying to appeal to NFL and American football fans to grow, that is a WAY bigger risk than what I have hypothesized

[elly63]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Spin.

It's not the crime, it's the coverup. It's not so much that I am bothered by the changes (I am moreso against the on field physical changes more than anything) but it's everything surrounding it. It stenches to high heaven.

The more I see of this guy (Johnston), the more he pisses me off. Makes dire changes without consultation of the primary stakeholders and fans, doesn't have brains enough to immediately denounce four downs, and now tells the coaches, you can talk but nothing's going to change.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by someone123

I wonder if reporting like this contributes to poor understanding and a lack of direction. The parcel of publicly-owned land there isn't too small, it's enormous. The problem is that the municipality doesn't want to relocate other uses such as lawn bowling. The proposed stadium project is a bit bizarre in that the budget is over $100M but the seating would barely be expanded and there are various unrelated proposed improvements, like adding a new conservatory.

From what I read and have seen I think it is 6500 seating in temp seats (paying rental costs on this every year), porta-pottys and light posts in front of seats, that the new proposal would be 8,500 seats, some covered, and more permanent facilities. I have heard there is also pushback if they got the seating up higher for the CFL, that there is lack of parking and capacity to move 18-20K people

https://www.canpl.ca/hfxwanderersfc/wanderers_grounds

I mean if there is the ownership/money to do it, can the Lawn bowling, etc be moved?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

From what I read and have seen I think it is 6500 seating in temp seats (paying rental costs on this every year), porta-pottys and light posts in front of seats, that the new proposal would be 8,500 seats, some covered, and more permanent facilities. I have heard there is also pushback if they got the seating up higher for the CFL, that there is lack of parking and capacity to move 18-20K people

This is true but the budgeting for the options encompasses other things and it falls short of meaningfully expanding seating capacity while reaching 9 figures, so it would make sense to commit to building something that fully serves the needs of the city rather than some half measure that is not expandable. CFL aside there's a need for more event space with more than 8,500 seats.

People are always complaining about parking but the site is about as good as it gets. It has a huge amount of structured parking nearby as well as transit and it's a pedestrian-friendly area. A lot of people think it would work out better next to a highway with everybody driving in and navigating a highway exit but I am skeptical.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

I have seen that proposed elsewhere too, but let me ask you this. If not for the reasons I proposed, why would the league do this. Lets say for arguments sake it is for going after the US Market.

This is where I think you are wrong and you said this before and I didn't respond. They're not going after the American fan, they're going after the American wannabe "Canadian" NFL fan.

I agree with just about everything you said but many Americans like the CFL because of the differences. I have seen misinformation posted here by the people the CFL thinks they can attract by making these changes. The CFL is not the NFL, trying to make it more like the NFL as you said is a recipe for failure. These people will never like the CFL over the NFL, or give it a fair shot, why cater to them?

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by elly63

It's not the crime, it's the coverup. It's not so much that I am bothered by the changes (I am moreso against the on field physical changes more than anything) but it's everything surrounding it. It stenches to high heaven.

The more I see of this guy (Johnston), the more he pisses me off. Makes dire changes without consultation of the primary stakeholders and fans, doesn't have brains enough to immediately denounce four downs, and now tells the coaches, you can talk but nothing's going to change.

He can't denounce 4 down because its not up to him, if the BoG voted to do this in some bizarre world, he can't change that. He has gone on numerous shows podcasts, etc to say he did not handle that well and should have been more clear, which he committed that he and the BoG are committed to 3 downs, but guarantee is a loaded word.

Please tell me what stinks, what are the ulterior motives?

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by elly63

This is where I think you are wrong and you said this before and I didn't respond. They're not going after the American fan, they're going after the American wannabe "Canadian" NFL fan.

I agree with just about everything you said but many Americans like the CFL because of the differences. I have seen misinformation posted here by the people the CFL thinks they can attract by making these changes. The CFL is not the NFL, trying to make it more like the NFL as you said is a recipe for failure. These people will never like the CFL over the NFL, or give it a fair shot, why cater to them?

So what do you suggest? Don't say "marketing" because that is easier said than done and are owners really going to invest more money when (as reported 7 of 9) do not make money?

Renew your TV contract with viewership up 1% and in stadium attendance up 1% ? How are you going to create other interest from other networks? Then TSN says why should I give more money, there is no competition

They CFL used to outdraw the NFL in Canada, but I think many of those fans are casual, Fantasy Football paying fans that with these changes, a new TV deal that may see games on another network, year long CFL fantasy football, sports betting etc. you will capture some of those viewers.

Someone made a comment long time ago about the CFL TV rating in the GTA doing well and relating it to porn, "everyone watches it, they just don't admit it"

Last point is, I think the smaller field space will be filled by on-field social areas to attract new and younger fans who attend games but watch it way differently that us old guys. People can like both leagues, it is not a one or the other