2021/22 - CFL Offseason - Non-Back-to-Back Grey Cup Champion Thread

[Goalie]

I think coming out of covid you still have a significant portion of the population who likely don't feel comfortable going out to huge events so circumstances play a role. 

What can Winnipeg do to help Toronto draw more fans? Nothing 

[camper_2]

2 hours ago, Goalie said:

I think coming out of covid you still have a significant portion of the population who likely don't feel comfortable going out to huge events so circumstances play a role. 

What can Winnipeg do to help Toronto draw more fans? Nothing 

Hope Leafs loose in the first round of the playoffs!!!!

[SpeedFlex27]

15 hours ago, BBlink said:

Truth of the matter is that there's a certain amount of people that love the Canadian game and will love the teams and the league no matter what.

Theres an awful lot of people people that like to watch sports because of the social aspect. For that it's all about marketing and the CFL has done a piss poor job of it

Bombers are my team. Whether it's 3 or 4 downs, I'll always support them.

4 hours ago, camper_2 said:

Hope Leafs loose in the first round of the playoffs!!!!

Then they have the Jays. 

[camper_2]

5 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Bombers are my team. Whether it's 3 or 4 downs, I'll always support them.

Then they have the Jays. 

I just love watching the Toronto media types doing an autopsy of a lost season especially by the Leafs. Hoping it goes south for them sooner than later with this years team..... As far as the Jays, give me the Twins/Royals or the Cards... I give the Toronto based teams, what the Toronto folks give the teams out west. 

Now, as far as going to 4 downs versus 3 downs. I grew up watching the CFL game for years and very much enjoy, as is.

Just need to understand why the want or need for change? Is it about scoring, lots of scoring and score changes within the entire game for the purpose of placing wagers? 

[Sard]

2 minutes ago, camper_2 said:

I just love watching the Toronto media types doing an autopsy of a lost season especially by the Leafs. Hoping it goes south for them sooner than later with this years team..... As far as the Jays, give me the Twins/Royals or the Cards... I give the Toronto based teams, what the Toronto folks give the teams out west. 

Now, as far as going to 4 downs versus 3 downs. I grew up watching the CFL game for years and very much enjoy, as is.

Just need to understand why the want or need for change? Is it about scoring, lots of scoring and score changes within the entire game for the purpose of placing wagers? 

Some people seem to think that more scoring makes the game more exciting for the casual fans.  In my mind the biggest issue with the CFL is marketing.  The teams, the league, and their TV partner (currently TSN) need to do a better job with marketing.  Bell Media could use CTV to advertise CFL games on TSN to get the word out more, but the biggest issue is that the teams in the bigger markets aren't doing anything to draw people to the games.  Perhaps the new owner in BC will do a better job out there, but Toronto and Montreal are still big question marks.

The rule changes, especially the thought of going to 4 downs, are mostly gimmicky and don't help the core problem of marketing, or lack thereof.

[Booch]

9 minutes ago, Sard said:

Some people seem to think that more scoring makes the game more exciting for the casual fans.  In my mind the biggest issue with the CFL is marketing.  The teams, the league, and their TV partner (currently TSN) need to do a better job with marketing.  Bell Media could use CTV to advertise CFL games on TSN to get the word out more, but the biggest issue is that the teams in the bigger markets aren't doing anything to draw people to the games.  Perhaps the new owner in BC will do a better job out there, but Toronto and Montreal are still big question marks.

The rule changes, especially the thought of going to 4 downs, are mostly gimmicky and don't help the core problem of marketing, or lack thereof.

Agree....TSN has to way up its game....sub par at best....half the excitement and interest in the NFL game is all the glitz and glam and bells and whistles...If u put a CFL game in front of that production and how they do a game, it would look/seem like a world of difference....thats a fact.....The league too, needs to hire, or create a content/marketing team of the new breed of Internet wizards, and promote and pump and create new and eye catching content...thats what will grow the league....not changing rules, paying global guys a pittance...and always bemoaning issues in media....maybe promote and add fluff...theres a thought

Rules have been basically what they are for a century....and game was/is just fine...u dont do wholesale change...you augment what you have....maybe add to it...it's not rocket science

 

[bryan35]

29 minutes ago, Booch said:

Agree....TSN has to way up its game....sub par at best....half the excitement and interest in the NFL game is all the glitz and glam and bells and whistles...If u put a CFL game in front of that production and how they do a game, it would look/seem like a world of difference....thats a fact.....The league too, needs to hire, or create a content/marketing team of the new breed of Internet wizards, and promote and pump and create new and eye catching content...thats what will grow the league....not changing rules, paying global guys a pittance...and always bemoaning issues in media....maybe promote and add fluff...theres a thought

Rules have been basically what they are for a century....and game was/is just fine...u dont do wholesale change...you augment what you have....maybe add to it...it's not rocket science

 

The CFL brand is more exciting than the NFL. Agree that the  marketing is lacking big time. Great opportunity now to market to the younger gambling crowd now.

[Mark F]

did the cfl pass on espn for some unknown network at one point?

Getting espn involved would help.

 

that outfit knows how to make something out of nothing, and how to get people's attention.

Even if it's just by being really annoying.

example..... "the decision"  Le Bron James.  They talked this up day and night, for months.  And it worked.

 

maybe if tsn had a clownish guy wearing crazy clothing, saying outrageous things with complete certainty.

seems to be appealing for a lot of people.

Edited April 25, 2022 by Mark F

[JCon]

NFL has been a far more entertaining product over the past 10 years. Part of that is due to the protection they provide for QBs coupled with the explosion of talented,, hybrid QBs, who can move and create different things. 

The CFL may need an offensive revolution too. I just don't think you get that by slowing the game down to 4 downs. 

[Stickem]

16 minutes ago, JCon said:

NFL has been a far more entertaining product over the past 10 years. Part of that is due to the protection they provide for QBs coupled with the explosion of talented,, hybrid QBs, who can move and create different things. 

The CFL may need an offensive revolution too. I just don't think you get that by slowing the game down to 4 downs. 

Why don't we test that out on a preseason game.....nothing to lose and could be enlightening....I am not a supporter of the league going down the 4 down road BUT a nothing game could be a little more entertaining....nothing ventured ...nothing gained

[Bigblue204]

4 minutes ago, Stickem said:

Why don't we test that out on a preseason game.....nothing to lose and could be enlightening....I am not a supporter of the league going down the 4 down road BUT a nothing game could be a little more entertaining....nothing ventured ...nothing gained

You're assuming preseason games are....just for fun? How would you evaluate a player based on them playing a different set of rules. And sure adding a down is just one rule change...but it would drastically change how the game is played and the way players would play it. 

[Booch]

26 minutes ago, JCon said:

NFL has been a far more entertaining product over the past 10 years. Part of that is due to the protection they provide for QBs coupled with the explosion of talented,, hybrid QBs, who can move and create different things. 

The CFL may need an offensive revolution too. I just don't think you get that by slowing the game down to 4 downs. 

as a whole the NFL hasnt been more exciting....but the games that have been exciting are basically due to a lot of it being teams more apt to mimicking what CFL offences did wit QB's and having a more wide open mindset offensively

[JCon]

1 minute ago, Stickem said:

Why don't we test that out on a preseason game.....nothing to lose and could be enlightening....I am not a supporter of the league going down the 4 down road BUT a nothing game could be a little more entertaining....nothing ventured ...nothing gained

Will only two preseason games and all the evaluation that needs to be done in those two games, I don't think it would work. 

Just now, Booch said:

as a whole the NFL hasnt been more exciting....but the games that have been exciting are basically due to a lot of it being teams more apt to mimicking what CFL offences did wit QB's and having a more wide open mindset offensively

Yes, I don't think the NFL is more exciting than the CFL, just more exciting than NFL games 10 years ago.

[SpeedFlex27]

Full stadiums add hugely to the atmosphere of a televised game. The CFL doesn't have that & the owners don't seem to want to change things to make that happen. Price gouging regular single game day tickets because they've discounted season ticket prices so much have made this so. The league should be finding ways to get the casual fan or the ones who don't want season tickets to games.

[JCon]

2 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Full stadiums add hugely to the atmosphere of a televised game. The CFL doesn't have that & the owners don't seem to want to change things to make that happen. Price gouging regular single game day tickets because they've discounted season ticket prices so much have made this so. The league should be finding ways to get the casual fan or the ones who don't want season tickets to games.

Ticket prices are not that expensive compared to similar products out there. Sure, if you want to sit down low behind the Bombers, it will cost you, but not so much as you get further out. 

[SpeedFlex27]

29 minutes ago, JCon said:

Ticket prices are not that expensive compared to similar products out there. Sure, if you want to sit down low behind the Bombers, it will cost you, but not so much as you get further out. 

Single game day seats for the Stamps are $80 to sit on the 30 yard line up high. Or thereabouts. Who wants to spend over $300 for a family of 4 to attend? Then there's food & drinks. Slap down another $70 for that. People aren't dumb. They'll just stay home & watch it on TV.

I talked to the Stamps Ticket Manager about prices a few years ago. He didn't think the single game day prices were too high. I suggested the Stamps do what the Bombers do. Offer 3 & 4 game Flex Packs where fans can buy the same seat for games they want to see. He just laughed & said no. And so, the Stamps sit stuck at 22,000 people attending per game with 13,000 seats on average sitting empty for every game.

It's like CFL teams just ignore the fact that every game is now televised & fans have a choice to go or not. That & the game day experience at McMahon Stadium isn't very good. People have tailgates but they're private affairs. People just can't walk up to a random group of fans, say hello & start drinking & eating the other fans food.

The other thing I need to mention is that because of my arthritis & mobility issues as I walk with a cane & have balance problems, going to McMahon Stadium to watch a game has now become impossible. Climbing up & down stairs with no handrails over 50 rows is something I no longer can do. I'm slower than most fans so I'd have to wait until the stadium has cleared out before I could navigate the stairs. Afraid of stumbling & falling. Hard to get to concession s all in the concourse at the bottom of the stadium. No elevators or escalators. No thanks.

IG Field has concessions in the upper deck & elevators to get back & forth from the seats I purchased. And I don't have to climb any more than 15 rows to get to my seats & the steps have handrails. I also have handicap parking in Sec U si I just have to cross the street.

Calgary is stuck with an aging 62 year old stadium that needs replacing. It was state of the art when JFK was President & the Beach Boys were topping the charts with songs about surfing. But going to a game in Winnipeg over Calgary is eye opening.

McMahon Stadium is a dump. More fans are staying away because of it. I'll never go there to another game.

Edited April 25, 2022 by SpeedFlex27

[Noeller]

I'll go to McMahon for Bombers games, but that's it. I've got friends in town here that have Stamps season tickets and every year are trying to get me to go in on their section. No f***ing way. I am spending way more than those tix would cost to buy a Flex Pack of Bombers tickets and fly to and from the games, and it's still far better money spent. 

[Stickem]

17 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I'll go to McMahon for Bombers games, but that's it. I've got friends in town here that have Stamps season tickets and every year are trying to get me to go in on their section. No f***ing way. I am spending way more than those tix would cost to buy a Flex Pack of Bombers tickets and fly to and from the games, and it's still far better money spent. 

One thing that has always perplexed me......oil rich province like Alta. can't or won't invest in a new stadium ....but the prairie guys step up with new facilities.....I don't know why the powers that be in Alta. can't up the royalties on their black gold and inject some interest in new digs there....I guess it's not politically expedient and the CFL and other sports entities aren't held in high regard there.....Says a lot about them

[Stickem]

7 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

You're assuming preseason games are....just for fun? How would you evaluate a player based on them playing a different set of rules. And sure adding a down is just one rule change...but it would drastically change how the game is played and the way players would play it. 

Oh I know player evaluation is the main reason we have preseason tilts ....and adding a down could/would affect play but I thought it would add a little more interest to the exhibition schedule....The teams probably woudn't go for it based on the loss of  proper evaluation time......soooo you're right

[Bigblue204]

1 hour ago, Stickem said:

Oh I know player evaluation is the main reason we have preseason tilts ....and adding a down could/would affect play but I thought it would add a little more interest to the exhibition schedule....The teams probably woudn't go for it based on the loss of  proper evaluation time......soooo you're right

It would be interesting to see. There must be a way to get a couple teams to agree to an extra(?) Preseason game....

[MOBomberFan]

I think we've been too narrow minded... what we really ought to be doing is going to 5 down football. More downs = more fans, it's so simply obvious!

[Mark H.]

37 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

I think we've been too narrow minded... what we really ought to be doing is going to 5 down football. More downs = more fans, it's so simply obvious!

I think we need to consider being open minded enough...to let our brains fall out. 

[SpeedFlex27]

23 hours ago, Stickem said:

One thing that has always perplexed me......oil rich province like Alta. can't or won't invest in a new stadium ....but the prairie guys step up with new facilities.....I don't know why the powers that be in Alta. can't up the royalties on their black gold and inject some interest in new digs there....I guess it's not politically expedient and the CFL and other sports entities aren't held in high regard there.....Says a lot about them

Calgary is becoming like Vancouver. We believe we're too good for the CFL. That we should be an NFL city. Politicians keep saying we're "world class" but we're not. We're Podunk City. We have a fire trap for a baseball stadium that is not being used, sitting empty, literally condemened & allowed to rot on Crowchild Trail beside McMahon. The City of Calgary has been talking about a fieldhouse for 60 years & it still hasn't been built.

The Stamps have no indoor facility to practice because their billionaire owner refuses to spend a penny on the team. During the smoke from forest fires last season, the Stamps had to cancel practice numerous times because it was too dangerous health wise to practice outdoors. The Stamps have always had to practice outdoors in all kinds of bad weather like it was still 1960 while other CFL teams can go indoors which is a big advantage for the other CFL teams. Edwards doesn't care.

Same with a football stadium. Murray Edwards is probably the worst owner in the CFL. He is an absentee owner. He lives in London, England having left Canada when Trudeau got elected to avoid paying taxes. Owning the Stamps is a tax write off for him. Building a 35,000 seat stadium will never happen as long as he owns the team. So, our world class city has world class dump for football.

Getting an arena built is a huge political football. Both sides, edwards & the City of Calgary are grandstanding by delaying the project. After they agree to finally get it built, a new stadium will be forgotten. There's no political will to get it done.

Edited April 26, 2022 by SpeedFlex27

[Noeller]

in Alberta, if you want something built, you need to find a way to do it almost entirely on private funds. The screaming and yelling that goes on if even one red penny of tax dollars gets spent on ANYTHING is almost unbelievable. There's no "Hey, we're allowed to have nice things" around here. 

[Sard]

25 minutes ago, Noeller said:

in Alberta, if you want something built, you need to find a way to do it almost entirely on private funds. The screaming and yelling that goes on if even one red penny of tax dollars gets spent on ANYTHING is almost unbelievable. There's no "Hey, we're allowed to have nice things" around here. 

That sounds suspiciously like socialism... and heaven forbid you have anything that resembles socialism in capitalist Alberta.