Sports in Canadian culture

[Steveston]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Yes, there are a couple of sizable sections in BC Place where a significant number of luxury suites could in theory be added. One section (seen here) currently houses the BC Sports Hall of Fame. But the Hall is outdated and cramped and definitely needs a new and larger space.

But, of course, this is surely all moot.

Agreed 100%. The NFL will be in Oklahoma City before they even consider Vancouver.

.. and, they'll be in L.A. long before they consider Toronto.

[Chadillaccc]

A lot of amazing Rugby going on in Calgary this past week. The Canadian U18 Championships have been underway since Monday, finishing today. My partner has been reffing many of these games. Yesterday, we went to watch the opening game of the Canadian National Mens Championships (not affiliated with the U18 Championships) between the Prairie Wolfpack (most players from AB, 2 from SK, none from MB) and the BC Bears. The Wolfpack won 31 to 10.



WolfPack Takes the Lineout by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Hard Tackle by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Busy by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Overlooking the Scrum by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Wide View by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Packed Stadium by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

Prairies kicking ass! by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

[logan5]

Metro Vancouver representing Canada at the Little League World Series for the 9th time in 10 years. Lately though Ontario has most of the best young (college eligible) prospects.

http://www.theprovince.com/South+Van...417/story.html

[esquire]

Interesting blurb in Rod Pedersen's sports blog (he's a radio guy and the voice of the Roughriders on CKRM in Regina):

One CFL executive noted to me that the Saskatchewan Roughriders' franchise worth is pegged at $100-million. That's staggering considering the team was $3-million in debt when I began with the team in 1999.

That's pretty remarkable. I'd imagine that the Riders have a higher value than any other team given that unlike all of the other CFL teams, they basically have a monopoly on what is now a substantial sports market. But if the Riders have a value of around $100M (not that surprising considering rapidly increasing box office, TV and merchandising revenues), then the other teams in the league have to be up there too. I'd imagine that other western teams like the Bombers, Stamps, Lions, etc. would have to be at least half that?

In a world where the LA Clippers are being sold for $2B, that may not seem like very much, but we do seem to be getting to a point where the high end CFL teams are starting to approach the lower end NHL teams in terms of their value.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by esquire

In a world where the LA Clippers are being sold for $2B, that may not seem like very much, but we do seem to be getting to a point where the high end CFL teams are starting to approach the lower end NHL teams in terms of their value.

It's an encouraging sign. Let's not forget that the league hit an all time low around 2000 so it's only been climbing out of it for about 15 years. Another 15 years like the last 15 and the league and franchises will be in very good shape.

With a booming economy, growing population, and their new stadium it's not inconceivable that the Riders could one day be worth more than some NHL teams.

[Boreal]

In some respects, the CFL is remarkable as it is largely an Alberta-Saskatchewan-Manitoba phenomenon. The fact that the league is as strong as it is, with Toronto being largely nonexistent, and Vancouver and Montreal not being diehard CFL football communities is very interesting.

With a few more clubs - Halifax, Quebec City, Kelowna/Victoria - the league could have a critical mass that really reaches coast-to-coast. The growth potential is very big in my estimation. Of course, this is all a ways off, and the big focus right now needs to be on new stadium development in the current markets, and ensuring that all 9 member clubs are very sound financially.

With the NCAA continuing to churn out talent at an absurd pace, and the NFL being the only other real professional league of any merit (the Arena League is... interesting), the CFL stands to have access to a wealth of talented players (far more then 9, 10 or 12 teams could employ), then the real focus for making things viable needs to be on the growth of CIS programs, and at that, the development of home grown players who can not only have a roster spot, but thrive in pro ball).

[Acajack]

So... channel surfing last night and came across some televised radio show on TSN2 like they sometimes do these days. TSN Drive or TSN Sports Radio ro something like that.

Anyway, on the segment I caught they were all pumped about some guy named Manzell (?) who was playing in his first pre-season game with the Cleveland Browns. Apparently the entire planet was waiting for this moment - this was the terminology being used. Canadian NFL Fandom never goes easy on the superlatives it seems...

Anyway, they chatted about this for a good 15 minutes or so...

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Boreal

With a few more clubs - Halifax, Quebec City, Kelowna/Victoria - the league could have a critical mass that really reaches coast-to-coast. The growth potential is very big in my estimation. Of course, this is all a ways off, and the big focus right now needs to be on new stadium development in the current markets, and ensuring that all 9 member clubs are very sound financially.

I think that to some extent the need for expansion is becoming a matter of survival. I'm sure that the CFL is well aware that the Toronto situation (either the Argos collapsing, the NFL coming to town or both) present perhaps the most urgent existential threat to the league. Ideally the league will weather the storm there and improve its fortunes, regardless of whether or not a NFL team shows up.

But that said, the league would be wise to put the pedal to the metal on plan B, which is preparing for a league without Toronto. Adding a couple of franchises, including at least one in the Maritimes, would be essential to stabilizing the league if something happened to the Argonauts. Given that the league now has something to offer potential owners besides a large tax writeoff (significant TV revenues, the chance of a large Grey Cup jackpot once a decade) and with Ottawa's new team and facility operating smoothly, now would be the right time to get moving.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Anyway, on the segment I caught they were all pumped about some guy named Manzell (?) who was playing in his first pre-season game with the Cleveland Browns. Apparently the entire planet was waiting for this moment - this was the terminology being used. Canadian NFL Fandom never goes easy on the superlatives it seems...

It's true! Here's a photo of a bunch of people somewhere on the planet who were going out of their minds waiting to see Johnny Football's debut at Ford Field!

[MonctonRad]

Plan "B" - I like it.

Prepare for a CFL without Toronto. Nobody would want to see this, but it is a possibility.

To be prudent, it would be best for the league to expand in the east with another two franchises (QC and the Maritimes) so that divisional balance is maintained in the absence of a Toronto franchise.

The CFL needs at least 10 teams, and ideally 12 (or more) - regardless of whether Toronto is in the mix or not.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by esquire

It's true! Here's a photo of a bunch of people somewhere on the planet who were going out of their minds waiting to see Johnny Football's debut at Ford Field!

They will hate me for saying this and complain I am judging them, but one thing that is virtually universal about Canadian NFL Fandom types is the impression that they have about being part of SOMETHING BIG by following the NFL.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

To be prudent, it would be best for the league to expand in the east with another two franchises (QC and the Maritimes)

(...)

The CFL needs at least 10 teams, and ideally 12 (or more) - :

Stadiums, schmadiums...

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They will hate me for saying this and complain I am judging them, but one thing that is virtually universal about Canadian NFL Fandom types is the impression that they have about being part of SOMETHING BIG by following the NFL.

This is a very American conceit... I think that there are football fans who genuinely believe that there are legions of NFL fans worldwide, in their villages just outside of Jakarta or Addis Ababa or wherever, faithfully discussing last week's action with their friends and coworkers every Monday morning.

Whether or not that actually happens shouldn't impair their enjoyment of the NFL, but yeah, you do get the impression that the idea that the NFL somehow matters to THE ENTIRE WORLD somehow forms a part of the league's appeal.

(I would point out that this line of thinking is not only limited to football, though... when the Jets came back there were many Winnipeggers who expressed relief that our city's name would once again reappear on the ESPN and Headline News tickers, giving our city some sort of regained prominence even though hardly anyone outside of Canada and the snowier parts of the US really pays that much attention to the NHL.)

[suburbanite]

Originally Posted by esquire

This is a very American conceit... I think that there are football fans who genuinely believe that there are legions of NFL fans worldwide, in their villages just outside of Jakarta or Addis Ababa or wherever, faithfully discussing last week's action with their friends and coworkers every Monday morning.

Whether or not that actually happens shouldn't impair their enjoyment of the NFL, but yeah, you do get the impression that the idea that the NFL somehow matters to THE ENTIRE WORLD somehow forms a part of the league's appeal.

(I would point out that this line of thinking is not only limited to football, though... when the Jets came back there were many Winnipeggers who expressed relief that our city's name would once again reappear on the ESPN and Headline News tickers, giving our city some sort of regained prominence even though hardly anyone outside of Canada and the snowier parts of the US really pays that much attention to the NHL.)

I love when you hear American broadcasters talking about the NFL or MLB and they say for example "The Red Sox are World Champions today!" Really? They beat 28 American teams and one Canadian one.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Anyway, on the segment I caught they were all pumped about some guy named Manzell (?) who was playing in his first pre-season game with the Cleveland Browns.

You won't hear from Johnny Football after a few years - because I strongly feel he will be a bust. His style of play may have worked in college, but it's not going to work in the NFL. Depending if he saves his money or if he just wants to play - I can see him playing in the CFL.

[MrOilers]

Originally Posted by suburbanite

I love when you hear American broadcasters talking about the NFL or MLB and they say for example "The Red Sox are World Champions today!"

Ha ha. No kidding. Especially for something like the 'World Series", you'd think there would be more than one country competing?

It's like calling the Saskatchewan Roughriders the "World Champions of Canadian Football"

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

It's like calling the Saskatchewan Roughriders the "World Champions of Canadian Football"

Well they are, aren't they?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by esquire

This is a very American conceit... I think that there are football fans who genuinely believe that there are legions of NFL fans worldwide, in their villages just outside of Jakarta or Addis Ababa or wherever, faithfully discussing last week's action with their friends and coworkers every Monday morning.

Whether or not that actually happens shouldn't impair their enjoyment of the NFL, but yeah, you do get the impression that the idea that the NFL somehow matters to THE ENTIRE WORLD somehow forms a part of the league's appeal.

In any event, the NFL has sold its fan base on its alleged global importance, and what's even more striking is how many Canadians have bought into that hook, line and sinker.

For the record, I like gridiron football having grown up watching it, but the rest of the world roundly laughs and mocks the sport because of its exaggerated (in their opinion) protective equipment, tight pants, bum patting, stoppages in play and little actual playing time.

The idea, shared by many it seems, that a person (let's say a Canadian) will gain any type of self-aggrandizement and perceived worldliness simply by being a fan of the top gridiron football league (eg the NFL) is hilarious to anyone who knows anything about the wider world.

At least Americans have the excuse that the NFL is part of their national culture and is actually based in their country.

[mistercorporate]

Bon Jovi, MLSE, Tannenbaum approved to proceed to the final round of bidding in NY with the other 2 bid groups:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...of-bills-sale/

I dont think anyone around here considers it a world famous league (though it has quite a following in the UK nowadays among some hardcore sports fans due to cable TV). Without a doubt it attracts the most eyeballs in the States and being "mistercorporate" lol, thats my main interest in all this. More notoriety for Toronto is always good for tourism and business, im more of a Toronto FC fan. That being said, it has the added bonus of Toronto-Niagara NFL fans spending dollars locally rather than in Bills-ville.

[kirjtc2]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They will hate me for saying this and complain I am judging them, but one thing that is virtually universal about Canadian NFL Fandom types is the impression that they have about being part of SOMETHING BIG by following the NFL.

Not me. I've been a diehard NFL fan for 20 years but I don't begrudge anyone for not liking it. Then again, I'm weird. I think Roger Goodell is destroying the integrity of the game in his push for the almighty dollar. And I can't freaking stand the hype machine. Didn't watch a second of the Manziel game.

Though I think the worst for self-importance are soccer fans. Like the one I saw on another board who complained to TSN because they had the gall to put the NHL playoffs on over some spare Premier League game.