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I had to take a sick day after having Mexican draft once .. wait .. what?

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/.../CFL-ESPN.aspx Startup football properties, like Charlie Ebersols AAF and Vince McMahons XFL, have been getting plenty of ink these days as they prepare to launch spring leagues over the next year. In the midst of those well publicized launches, the 60-year-old Canadian Football League also has been making moves to grow and modernize. The league, known for only having three downs and much wider fields than the NFL, will announce a multiyear renewal of its media rights deal in the U.S. with ESPN this week. Im always mindful of whats going on in the world around me, CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said of the spring football upstarts. But its more important to us that we execute our plan. Financial terms for the multiyear deal were not disclosed though Ambrosie said the new deal represented an improvement in economics for us reflective of last seasons ratings. ESPN2 coverage of CFL games averaged 163,000 viewers last season, a 19 percent increase from the previous year. The new deal calls for at least 20 games per season on one of ESPNs linear television networks, usually ESPN or ESPN2. That includes at least one division final and the Grey Cup championship game. It will place at least 65 CFL games on the direct-to-consumer service, ESPN+. The CFL says every game will be available. I feel like we have the right partnership with ESPN, Ambrosie said. We have big, bold, new plans to expand our league and grow our business. This is part of what Ambrosie has referred to as CFL 2.0, which means expanding globally. This week, the CFL is holding its first scouting combine in Mexico City. It is looking into partnering with American football leagues in other countries and scouting players outside of the U.S. and Canada. The multiyear deal with ESPN gives the CFL a consistent outlet in the United States. ESPN has carried CFL games since 2014. Prior to that, the league bounced around from NFL Network to NBC Sports Network. Ambrosie led the negotiations for the CFL. Linear programming executive Gregg Morriss and direct-to-consumer programming executive John Lasker led negotiations for ESPN. The CFL season runs from June through November

Perception is very important and eventually costs dollars. Here’s another aspect. The league just forced teams to cap their spending on football operations. There is no CBA. It’s a league with limited resources, yet the commissioner and some of the scarce league office staff have time to grab ass with Mexican football and now German football? Actual attendance at games in BC, Toronto and Montreal isn’t even hitting 5 digits. Look at the officiating, which is another area that needs resources. If it’s minus 30 and you don’t have a front door you don’t start drywalling the basement...you get a door and hang it! If you were a conspiracy theorist you might think the league is actually looking for a source replacement players to hang over the CBA talks. That actually makes way more sense than thinking there’s any revenue to gain from Mexican television.

The Liberals have killed pipelines. Alberta's lost about 20,000 oil-related jobs. Now...back to football please.

Exactly how did Trudeau and the Liberals force down the international price of petroleum? It would be amazing if a country which produces less than 6% of world petroleum could do that.

If anyone knows how development of international football can work its Jeff Reinbold.

This whole Mexican thing is such a joke. Embarrassing for the CFL.

Hey, has anyone heard about that score and win contest?

I'm not surprised to see that Reinebold tweets in all-caps.

I scoffed at the idea initially but I don't blame Ambrosie for looking outside the box here for potential revenue streams.

Ed Tait - @EdTaitWFC The #Bombers select DB Sergio Schiaffino. Stands 5-9, weighs 175. Tempted to say here I’m shocked he fell this far in the draft and was still available. 😀 My favourite tweet on the subject.

YEAH that is kinda funny...from what I know/hear..players can't get out of there fast enough when the season is over...or during a by week. I actually think Winnipeg probably has to, or is close to be the city with the most post/carer players who stick around..American and Canadian...or it sure appears that way

I’m considering taking a sick day to watch the Mexican Draft. Riveting.

Time : Tuesday 7, TSN3 Stats : 28-16-4 @ 29-14-2 Notables : First meeting since West Conf Finals. last spring.

The #1 priority should be the CBA. Get that done, then look at selling the CFL in other countries.

Doesn't that thing have to pass 3rd reading in the house to become law...So many changes I just can't see it being implemented in it's present form...IF it is the oil industry better be prepared to exit as an economic driver in this country... With regard to the Mexican adventure????Seems a stretch if it becomes a winner for the CFL....I remember only to well a big adventure when we had American teams and the thing went sideways...But I'll go with nothing ventured nothing........well you know???

How many Mexicans or Germans know of Winnipeg?

I think the main goal is to expand media rights, attendance at games has stagnated.

Germany would have a deeper talent pool.

Naylor reports that they're likely going to do another of these during the current off-season, but with Germany being the likely destination.......I just don't get it.....

I don’t see this as a big issue.

I am absolutely positive that we're going to look back on this Mexican project the same way we do the American expansion, one day. Just "What the **** were they thinking...??" kinda thing...

re Gavin Walls, he may not have the gaudiest stars, but he played contain masterfully on the strong side. He got my second vote.

So, a little fiction based on fact. Interesting.

APRIL 14TH https://tvline.com/2019/01/13/game-of-thrones-premiere-date-season-8-april-2019-hbo/

Chiarot ties it and we are going into overtime Little finishes it off 4-3

So Star Trek: Discovery returns this week after nearly a year. Seems longer than a year for fans eagerly waiting for this series.

I guess according to the media in this country, Regina is the only city in the CFL where players can work in the off season or start a new career for after football. What a bunch of ****.

2019 free agency hasn't even started yet. Getting Bighill locked up here is absolutely, unequivocally more crucial right now than a soon-to-be sophomore QB who has a year remaining on his contract. That's not even up for debate at this moment in time.

Of course the Riders are going to try persuade him, but chances are basically nill that he signs there. Put yourself in his shoes. A 3 year extension at around 600k per year is going to offered by Edmonton, BC, Sask, and maybe even Calgary throws their hat into the ring. This very well could be his last contract if he wants it to be as he's not a spring chicken and he's made some decent money in his career. Abandon the city he played most of his career in (Edmonton), pass up the chance to play in Vancouver closer to family, to play in a dump of a small town in Regina? I HIGHLY doubt it. People forget that players have a choice of where they want to sign and lots of times money doesn't matter. The opportunity to sell insurance post career isn't going to bait anyone

And then there's this... https://nflspinzone.com/2019/01/12/jacksonville-jaguars-mike-reilly-bridge-quarterback-2019/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

This is one of the funniest things I've read on here in a long time... And I pray Bighill or his agent doesn't see it... I don't think we've had an FA as important as Bighill in years and years around these parts....

I'd be lying if I said I have never been there or done that. Something gets posted in a fit of anger or emotion & then later it's like, why did I say that??? Luckily, the members here are a pretty forgiving bunch for the most part. Tomorrow is a brand new day.

For Trekkies, there is no such thing as tongue in cheek regarding canon. 😉

Calgary used to have outstanding opportunities in the O & G industry before Trudeau & the Liberals killed it off. I know of more than a few players who became millionaires after they finished playing for the Stamps.

Weakest goal of year?