Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso
The CFL could do with more teams but its a reach to expect it to change the fortunes of football in the GTA. 1, 2, 3, or 4 teams isn't going to matter when 90% of the population has no connection whatsoever to football or the CFL.
It's bit of a broken record at this point but the only way forward is a massive, consistent, and long term (25 year) commitment to the growth of Canadian football starting with young people (under 16). It must start with educating young people on the sport's origins in Canada. If they accept it as part of their own culture they'll be far more likely to value it, follow it, and support it. Right now they don't. They view football as an import from the US. As long as that perception persists, the CFL will always be viewed as a pale imitation and expendable.
I'm continually puzzled as to why football folk in this country don't understand this. Fiddling around with # of teams and division re-alignment doesn't get us from here to there.
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When I think of people in living in Toronto I imagine people really interested in history
I've said it 100 times you need more regional relevance.
No one in Toronto cares about a national league. They care about a league relevant to their area.
Putting a team in either Brampton or Mississauga is needed.
Both have the stronger regional identities, and a wide open insecurity of their position within the GTA.
Brampton specifically has a key target demo. New/young Canadians.
You either crack that demo or you give up.
History etc all of that is irrelevant.
What will create hype is the Brampton/Peel-Toronto Rivalry.
This doesn't happen with some folksy grass roots mentality.
You need an investor who wants to create a Peel Region branding.
And has a comprehensive plan in converting an old boomer sport into something 15 year olds from Pakistan-Jamaica can latch onto.
I actually think this is a lot easier then most would expect.
Targeting boomers in Markham, or talking about the sports history isn't gonna do it.
They are obvious add ons but they aren't the key issue.
You need a branding that puts Brampton etc on the map. You need a branding that will cause people to defend a "smaller" product.
Americans in Omaha don't run around trying to defend college football against the NFL. They defend their team against other college town teams.