The next 25 yrs for CFL franchises in Toronto, Montreal & Vancouver?

[S.A.C.]

Can the CFL survive and grow given its' dismal performance in Canada's major metropolitan areas? Will the impending cable-cutting millennials undermine the longterm CFL prospects?

"Grow" might be a little optimistic, but as long as it remains popular in the other cities, that should be enough to keep the league going.

I don't see the type of value growth we have seen in other leagues ever happening in the CFL. The league is too small and most of its markets are too small for that to happen. There's a ceiling on what TV will pay for the rights, and I suspect we have already hit that ceiling since by the time the contract comes up for renewal, both OTA and cable will have lost many more customers (if those platforms even still exist by then).

I think the present TV deal goes to the end of 2021? If the TV money eventually drops significantly, I would assume the salary cap would drop proportionally. I think guys still play in Arena Football for less than the CFL pays?

[R.J]

$1 million seems low for the Toronto Rock considering the owners for the two new expansion NLL teams paid $5 million for each, and the last team that was sold (Rochester Knighthawks), sold for $5.75 million.

As for the NFL, it will be interesting to see if they continue to grow, since media numbers (not just tv) are declining. It's been reported that even with the old tv deals, the networks were losing money, good luck to the NFL in trying to get another $2 Billion annually from ESPN on the next go around.

[Bruro]

Hate to say but the only thing holding the CFL together now is that juicy TSN tv deal they got which will expire in 2021? TSN bought in when CFL was on the upswing and theres no way they will pony up 40 mill a year now! If not CFL is as good as dead as attendance has been dropping steadily (and not just big three markets) but everywhere except Regina and Ottawa. (...and Ottawa smells of novelty- new team that wins a grey cup and funky new digs). We may have to say this but we may be near the end. 5-10 years?

[ArgoGabe22]

Hate to say but the only thing holding the CFL together now is that juicy TSN tv deal they got which will expire in 2021? TSN bought in when CFL was on the upswing and theres no way they will pony up 40 mill a year now! If not CFL is as good as dead as attendance has been dropping steadily (and not just big three markets) but everywhere except Regina and Ottawa. (...and Ottawa smells of novelty- new team that wins a grey cup and funky new digs). We may have to say this but we may be near the end. 5-10 years?

What are you on?

[gilthethrill]

Hate to say but the only thing holding the CFL together now is that juicy TSN tv deal they got which will expire in 2021? TSN bought in when CFL was on the upswing and theres no way they will pony up 40 mill a year now! If not CFL is as good as dead as attendance has been dropping steadily (and not just big three markets) but everywhere except Regina and Ottawa. (...and Ottawa smells of novelty- new team that wins a grey cup and funky new digs). We may have to say this but we may be near the end. 5-10 years?

https://youtu.be/37OWL7AzvHo

[argolio]

I think guys still play in Arena Football for less than the CFL pays?

Much less.

As for the NFL, it will be interesting to see if they continue to grow, since media numbers (not just tv) are declining. It's been reported that even with the old tv deals, the networks were losing money, good luck to the NFL in trying to get another $2 Billion annually from ESPN on the next go around.

I've been reading stories predicting the next NFL TV contract would be lower since the 80s. I'll believe it when I see it.

[R.J]

I've been reading stories predicting the next NFL TV contract would be lower since the 80s. I'll believe it when I see it.

Over $3 Billion to $300-$400 million, I agree, I don't see that much of a drop.

The Sinclair Group (owners of Tribune and American Sports Network) are said to be interested in the NFL's next deal, as are TBS/TNT. TNT is currently paying the NBA about $2.7 Billion annually for ratings that are considerably lower than the NFL's, so I guess you never know. Digital media is also growing at a rapid pass: I could see someone overpaying.