CFL Expansion

[MGB01]

The argument is that MLSE thinks American football will sell better in an international city like Toronto than Canadian football. I'm totally not sold on that, but that's what the XFL can offer that the CFL cannot.

Honestly, the USFL seems like a better fit if MLSE is serious. Lets you play in the summer rather than the winter and have at least Detroit as a regional rival. Keeps you away from hockey season but also doesn't run into the NFL season.

I don't think anything is going to come from it, for the record.

I was really only looking forward to it for a potential season opener in TO on the 20th of Rock absolutely lighting them on fire (coming up in a few weeks btw):

"OOOOO YAAAAAAAAY, HOOOORAAAAAY, HE SAID TORONTO YAAAAAAAY, THAT'S WHERE WE LIVE, WE LIVE IN TORONTO YAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! SHUTUP!"

"THE JABRONI-BEATIN', PIE-EATIN', TRAIL-BLAZIN', EYEBROW RAISIN', STRONGER THAN A BEAR FASTER THAN A BUCK BIGGEST THING TO HIT CANADA CAUSE THE MAPLE LEAFS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!".

But yeah, the logistics would be a huge question mark, the USFL would work better from that standpoint. Of course that opens up a whole bunch of different doors I'm not sure anyone wants busted open.

[DavedaHammer]

The CFL can't even fill a 20k seat stadium in Toronto, Montreal, or Ottawa regularly, but they're going to pack them in Chicago? Please give me whatever you're smoking. Redbird won't approach the CFL again, but I wouldn't be surprised if Toronto joins the XFL after they next TSN deal is smaller or equal to their current deal.

Neither can the XFL sell out in MetLife when the Guardians played there. The original XFL didn't sell out Soldier Field back in '01, There were a lot of empty seats in the middle of a Chicago winter at those Chicago Enforcer games. Probably won't sell out in tiny Cashman soccer stadium in Vegas

The CFL plays in the Summer which is more fan friendly for attendance than freezing in a NFL or February XFL game. They'd easily get 25,000 for a football game during a summer weekend

You don't know if Red Bird would approach the CFL for more "talks" when there were NDAs involved. Once the XFL fails(and it will, the USFL will be the Spring Football league winner). It was Red Bird that approached the CFL for "talks" and they will do so again. The CFL didn't go to them. Once Red Bird doesn't make their financial projections and continue to bleed money. They need to save face and unload it's losses either in Bankruptcy court again or re-enter into "talks" with the CFL in a weaker position then they were in two years ago.

Why would Toronto join the XFL? Where is a Toronto XFL team going to play in? The Blue Jays venue is exclusively for Baseball. If they play in BMO Field, they would have worst attendance than the Argos because everybody in Toronto are going to watch the Leafs or the Raptors instead of a twice failed football product.

TSN would have to pay more for TV rights once the CFL gets that 10th team and they will either by hook or by crook. TSN needs the CFL because they would not have any live sports during the summer. TSN is going to bury the XFL 3.0 behind it's streaming platform TSN+ and won't allow any XFL games on it's regular channels. Just like what ESPN did to the CFL

So now they'll easily get 25k a game, up from 20k. Meanwhile, there are only 2 CFL teams that actually draw that many fans right now. MLSE and Gary Stern have been fawning over The Rock, so they could have as easily led the discussions as opposed to the XFL. Let the CFL work on its own issues at home before trying to expand to the states. That's like getting a paint job on your car, when your transmission is shot.

Yep. Football is more pleasant to enjoy in the Summer(CFL) than in late Fall(NFL), Winter(NFL Conference Title games) or early Spring(XFL, USFL).

The CFL is happy with the TV ratings it gets on TSN, despite being behind a cable wall and TSN not have better TV production to enhance CFL broadcasts.

It was the Rock, Red Bird and Garcia that approached the CFL first in negotiations because they had nothing build up other than buying used football equipment, no TV deal and dead IPs out of Bankruptcy Court on it's XFL reboot. They tried to fast track a league by demanding the CFL to switch to 4 downs, which was the deal killer. The CFL Community teams(Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, 2 of the CFL teams that leads the league in attendance) would've been left out of the merger as they would've been mothballed if the merger went through.

The Rock and the Red Bird are being shortsighted by insisting the CFL plays 4 down football. It would've better off playing the 3 down variety since the CFL game is a better game than the NFL and every upstart league played 4 downs wanting to be NFL lite has failed. See WFL, WLAF, UFL XFL1 and 2 and AAF. If the Rock and Red Bird went to 3 downs and align itself with the CFL, they be on it's second season and probably played a Champions title game between both leagues

CFL needs to expand into the US because all levels of Canadian Gov'ts aren't going to build stadiums in the present time. The US on the other hand, has numerous stadiums that sit vacate for most of the year. They need tenants to offset the cost of operating and maintaining stadium costs.

Why paint a car when you can buy a new one off the lot with easy financing

[GDAWG]

Neither can the XFL sell out in MetLife when the Guardians played there. The original XFL didn't sell out Soldier Field back in '01, There were a lot of empty seats in the middle of a Chicago winter at those Chicago Enforcer games. Probably won't sell out in tiny Cashman soccer stadium in Vegas

The CFL plays in the Summer which is more fan friendly for attendance than freezing in a NFL or February XFL game. They'd easily get 25,000 for a football game during a summer weekend

You don't know if Red Bird would approach the CFL for more "talks" when there were NDAs involved. Once the XFL fails(and it will, the USFL will be the Spring Football league winner). It was Red Bird that approached the CFL for "talks" and they will do so again. The CFL didn't go to them. Once Red Bird doesn't make their financial projections and continue to bleed money. They need to save face and unload it's losses either in Bankruptcy court again or re-enter into "talks" with the CFL in a weaker position then they were in two years ago.

Why would Toronto join the XFL? Where is a Toronto XFL team going to play in? The Blue Jays venue is exclusively for Baseball. If they play in BMO Field, they would have worst attendance than the Argos because everybody in Toronto are going to watch the Leafs or the Raptors instead of a twice failed football product.

TSN would have to pay more for TV rights once the CFL gets that 10th team and they will either by hook or by crook. TSN needs the CFL because they would not have any live sports during the summer. TSN is going to bury the XFL 3.0 behind it's streaming platform TSN+ and won't allow any XFL games on it's regular channels. Just like what ESPN did to the CFL

So now they'll easily get 25k a game, up from 20k. Meanwhile, there are only 2 CFL teams that actually draw that many fans right now. MLSE and Gary Stern have been fawning over The Rock, so they could have as easily led the discussions as opposed to the XFL. Let the CFL work on its own issues at home before trying to expand to the states. That's like getting a paint job on your car, when your transmission is shot.

Yep. Football is more pleasant to enjoy in the Summer(CFL) than in late Fall(NFL), Winter(NFL Conference Title games) or early Spring(XFL, USFL).

The CFL is happy with the TV ratings it gets on TSN, despite being behind a cable wall and TSN not have better TV production to enhance CFL broadcasts.

It was the Rock, Red Bird and Garcia that approached the CFL first in negotiations because they had nothing build up other than buying used football equipment, no TV deal and dead IPs out of Bankruptcy Court on it's XFL reboot. They tried to fast track a league by demanding the CFL to switch to 4 downs, which was the deal killer. The CFL Community teams(Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, 2 of the CFL teams that leads the league in attendance) would've been left out of the merger as they would've been mothballed if the merger went through.

The Rock and the Red Bird are being shortsighted by insisting the CFL plays 4 down football. It would've better off playing the 3 down variety since the CFL game is a better game than the NFL and every upstart league played 4 downs wanting to be NFL lite has failed. See WFL, WLAF, UFL XFL1 and 2 and AAF. If the Rock and Red Bird went to 3 downs and align itself with the CFL, they be on it's second season and probably played a Champions title game between both leagues

CFL needs to expand into the US because all levels of Canadian Gov'ts aren't going to build stadiums in the present time. The US on the other hand, has numerous stadiums that sit vacate for most of the year. They need tenants to offset the cost of operating and maintaining stadium costs.

Why paint a car when you can buy a new one off the lot with easy financing

That is false. Many football stadiums (especially those in college), when not in use for football are used for other sports: soccer, track and field (if there is one) and rugby or lacrosse for that college.

[DavedaHammer]

The argument is that MLSE thinks American football will sell better in an international city like Toronto than Canadian football. I'm totally not sold on that, but that's what the XFL can offer that the CFL cannot.

Honestly, the USFL seems like a better fit if MLSE is serious. Lets you play in the summer rather than the winter and have at least Detroit as a regional rival. Keeps you away from hockey season but also doesn't run into the NFL season.

I don't think anything is going to come from it, for the record.

MLSE also known as Larry Tanenbaum doesn't realize that Toronto is a Maple Leafs town and has a license to print money. Toronto isn't a football town. It 'had arena football that failed after two season, there is no support for USPORTS/CIAU football teams (York and U.of T.) their scores are mentioned in the Toronto Sport networks or on sport radio stations. There is no support for high school football team in Toronto as well. The Buffalo Bills Series was a total failure.

Tanenbaum is also lazy in promoting the Argos and CFL brand in the Ontario region. He recently badmouthed the CFL in a Canadian Press interview a couple of months ago. I bet he changed his tune once his Argos won the Grey Cup this past November.

A NFL sized field inside a CFL field would look ridiculous just for optic sakes. Sightlines for fans would be too far for attendees to see

[DavedaHammer]

So now they'll easily get 25k a game, up from 20k. Meanwhile, there are only 2 CFL teams that actually draw that many fans right now. MLSE and Gary Stern have been fawning over The Rock, so they could have as easily led the discussions as opposed to the XFL. Let the CFL work on its own issues at home before trying to expand to the states. That's like getting a paint job on your car, when your transmission is shot.

Yep. Football is more pleasant to enjoy in the Summer(CFL) than in late Fall(NFL), Winter(NFL Conference Title games) or early Spring(XFL, USFL).

The CFL is happy with the TV ratings it gets on TSN, despite being behind a cable wall and TSN not have better TV production to enhance CFL broadcasts.

It was the Rock, Red Bird and Garcia that approached the CFL first in negotiations because they had nothing build up other than buying used football equipment, no TV deal and dead IPs out of Bankruptcy Court on it's XFL reboot. They tried to fast track a league by demanding the CFL to switch to 4 downs, which was the deal killer. The CFL Community teams(Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, 2 of the CFL teams that leads the league in attendance) would've been left out of the merger as they would've been mothballed if the merger went through.

The Rock and the Red Bird are being shortsighted by insisting the CFL plays 4 down football. It would've better off playing the 3 down variety since the CFL game is a better game than the NFL and every upstart league played 4 downs wanting to be NFL lite has failed. See WFL, WLAF, UFL XFL1 and 2 and AAF. If the Rock and Red Bird went to 3 downs and align itself with the CFL, they be on it's second season and probably played a Champions title game between both leagues

CFL needs to expand into the US because all levels of Canadian Gov'ts aren't going to build stadiums in the present time. The US on the other hand, has numerous stadiums that sit vacate for most of the year. They need tenants to offset the cost of operating and maintaining stadium costs.

Why paint a car when you can buy a new one off the lot with easy financing

That is false. Many football stadiums (especially those in college), when not in use for football are used for other sports: soccer, track and field (if there is one) and rugby or lacrosse for that college.

But they don't draw money from low attendance(mainly friends and family members watching) from those other minor sporting events. College stadiums needs a tenant that will bring in higher attendance during the time of the year the school is not open. A pro team fulfills their monetary situation, particularly a summer league like the CFL. Can't always depend on boosters or donators to keep the lights on

[GDAWG]

Yep. Football is more pleasant to enjoy in the Summer(CFL) than in late Fall(NFL), Winter(NFL Conference Title games) or early Spring(XFL, USFL).

The CFL is happy with the TV ratings it gets on TSN, despite being behind a cable wall and TSN not have better TV production to enhance CFL broadcasts.

It was the Rock, Red Bird and Garcia that approached the CFL first in negotiations because they had nothing build up other than buying used football equipment, no TV deal and dead IPs out of Bankruptcy Court on it's XFL reboot. They tried to fast track a league by demanding the CFL to switch to 4 downs, which was the deal killer. The CFL Community teams(Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, 2 of the CFL teams that leads the league in attendance) would've been left out of the merger as they would've been mothballed if the merger went through.

The Rock and the Red Bird are being shortsighted by insisting the CFL plays 4 down football. It would've better off playing the 3 down variety since the CFL game is a better game than the NFL and every upstart league played 4 downs wanting to be NFL lite has failed. See WFL, WLAF, UFL XFL1 and 2 and AAF. If the Rock and Red Bird went to 3 downs and align itself with the CFL, they be on it's second season and probably played a Champions title game between both leagues

CFL needs to expand into the US because all levels of Canadian Gov'ts aren't going to build stadiums in the present time. The US on the other hand, has numerous stadiums that sit vacate for most of the year. They need tenants to offset the cost of operating and maintaining stadium costs.

Why paint a car when you can buy a new one off the lot with easy financing

That is false. Many football stadiums (especially those in college), when not in use for football are used for other sports: soccer, track and field (if there is one) and rugby or lacrosse for that college.

But they don't draw money from low attendance(mainly friends and family members watching) from those other minor sporting events. College stadiums needs a tenant that will bring in higher attendance during the time of the year the school is not open. A pro team fulfills their monetary situation, particularly a summer league like the CFL. Can't always depend on boosters or donators to keep the lights on

You can if the boosters are super rich, which is what many of the Northern based Ivy League schools have as well as most of the schools in the Power 5 Conferences of the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12 and Big Ten. Many of these Power 5 schools don't need a pro tenant to make money.

[Tank55]

BMO’s field dimensions are basically the same as Audi field’s. An American football field looks fine.

[laxtreme56]

The argument is that MLSE thinks American football will sell better in an international city like Toronto than Canadian football. I'm totally not sold on that, but that's what the XFL can offer that the CFL cannot.

Honestly, the USFL seems like a better fit if MLSE is serious. Lets you play in the summer rather than the winter and have at least Detroit as a regional rival. Keeps you away from hockey season but also doesn't run into the NFL season.

I don't think anything is going to come from it, for the record.

MLSE also known as Larry Tanenbaum doesn't realize that Toronto is a Maple Leafs town and has a license to print money. Toronto isn't a football town. It 'had arena football that failed after two season, there is no support for USPORTS/CIAU football teams (York and U.of T.) their scores are mentioned in the Toronto Sport networks or on sport radio stations. There is no support for high school football team in Toronto as well. The Buffalo Bills Series was a total failure.

Tanenbaum is also lazy in promoting the Argos and CFL brand in the Ontario region. He recently badmouthed the CFL in a Canadian Press interview a couple of months ago. I bet he changed his tune once his Argos won the Grey Cup this past November.

A NFL sized field inside a CFL field would look ridiculous just for optic sakes. Sightlines for fans would be too far for attendees to see

The Argos have been around for 150 years, if people don't know they exist that's not merely the fault of MLSE. It's like the NJ Devils, despite 3 cup wins most of the state just doesn't care. Unless they're playing the Rangers or Flyers they never sell out, even with the cheapest tickets in the league. Toronto has been apathetic toward the CFL for 30+ years now, and that's not changing. The major markets only want American Football.

[DavedaHammer]

That is false. Many football stadiums (especially those in college), when not in use for football are used for other sports: soccer, track and field (if there is one) and rugby or lacrosse for that college.

But they don't draw money from low attendance(mainly friends and family members watching) from those other minor sporting events. College stadiums needs a tenant that will bring in higher attendance during the time of the year the school is not open. A pro team fulfills their monetary situation, particularly a summer league like the CFL. Can't always depend on boosters or donators to keep the lights on

You can if the boosters are super rich, which is what many of the Northern based Ivy League schools have as well as most of the schools in the Power 5 Conferences of the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12 and Big Ten. Many of these Power 5 schools don't need a pro tenant to make money.

The XFL rents out of a college campus at TDECU at Houston. The college must have rich boosters there to keep a pro team like the Roughneck out of the venue. The boosters must be rich since the city is tied to the Oil and Gas industry. The school must need the money if it has a naming rights attached to the stadium.

Besides most of those major college schools stadiums are too small for a a CFL venue. It's the stadiums with an oval track that can house a CFL field, Division 2 schools stadium would fit the bill like Eastern Michigan University(the venue is going to be used by the USFL as a training facility for their Detroit hub), U,of Buffalo, Clemons Stadium, Wein Stadium at Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania. Most of those stadiums I listed are close to major markets like Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, New York and Buffalo. Those are should be the targets for CFL expansion. Those schools can use a pro tenant for their stadiums

[DavedaHammer]

The argument is that MLSE thinks American football will sell better in an international city like Toronto than Canadian football. I'm totally not sold on that, but that's what the XFL can offer that the CFL cannot.

Honestly, the USFL seems like a better fit if MLSE is serious. Lets you play in the summer rather than the winter and have at least Detroit as a regional rival. Keeps you away from hockey season but also doesn't run into the NFL season.

I don't think anything is going to come from it, for the record.

MLSE also known as Larry Tanenbaum doesn't realize that Toronto is a Maple Leafs town and has a license to print money. Toronto isn't a football town. It 'had arena football that failed after two season, there is no support for USPORTS/CIAU football teams (York and U.of T.) their scores are mentioned in the Toronto Sport networks or on sport radio stations. There is no support for high school football team in Toronto as well. The Buffalo Bills Series was a total failure.

Tanenbaum is also lazy in promoting the Argos and CFL brand in the Ontario region. He recently badmouthed the CFL in a Canadian Press interview a couple of months ago. I bet he changed his tune once his Argos won the Grey Cup this past November.

A NFL sized field inside a CFL field would look ridiculous just for optic sakes. Sightlines for fans would be too far for attendees to see

The Argos have been around for 150 years, if people don't know they exist that's not merely the fault of MLSE. It's like the NJ Devils, despite 3 cup wins most of the state just doesn't care. Unless they're playing the Rangers or Flyers they never sell out, even with the cheapest tickets in the league. Toronto has been apathetic toward the CFL for 30+ years now, and that's not changing. The major markets only want American Football.

Toronto had American Football in the Arena Football leagues Toronto Phantoms, lasted 2 years, The Toronto Rifles from the failed Continental Football League, had a international College Bowl game for one year, the infamous Buffalo Bills in Toronto Series which was cancelled in the middle of a multi year deal. American Football can't crack the Toronto market because it's a Leaf town.

Montreal had the Montreal Machine in the defunct WLAF. It lasted one year and it had declining attendances each week it was in existence.

Canadians have to realize that the CFL is it's only football option because the NFL ain't coming north with high expansion fee, outrageous stadium demands and poor Canadian Dollar exchange