How Would Moving the CFL Season Earlier Affect the Argos?

[Neely2005]

From an outsider's perspective, it would be interesting to see regular season games start the second week in June and the Grey Cup be the second or first weekend in November (and have no second bye week). But this is coming from someone who doesn't like hockey.

My thought is the less the season goes up against the NFL the better. But maybe that is not as big a deal as I am thinking?

Also, what is the interest in Canada in the Stanley Cup finals when no Canadian teams are involved?
If Carolina and San Jose are playing, would that still draw away from the CFL opening weeks?

If all the Canadian teams are eliminated after the second round, would the CFL be better starting up with its first game around June 10th?

Canadian NHL ratings drop massively when there's no Canadian team involved.

[jerrym]

Canadian NHL ratings drop massively when there's no Canadian team involved.

At this point in the season, there are only three Canadian teams in contention for the playoffs, as Edmonton, Vancouver Montreal and Ottawa are all well behind in the standings. Furthermore, Calgary is on the borderline between being in or out of the playoffs. However, for the Argos, the Leafs have a six point plus margin for the last playoff spot. So barring another Leaf swoon song, the Argos could well have to contend with the Leafs soaking up media attention in the buildup to the start of the CFL season.

[AngeloV]

At this point in the season, there are only three Canadian teams in contention for the playoffs, as Edmonton, Vancouver Montreal and Ottawa are all well behind in the standings. Furthermore, Calgary is on the borderline between being in or out of the playoffs. However, for the Argos, the Leafs have a six point plus margin for the last playoff spot. So barring another Leaf swoon song, the Argos could well have to contend with the Leafs soaking up media attention in the buildup to the start of the CFL season.

Exactly. It's not even entirely about ratings. The league needs all the media attention it can get at key points in the year. TSN and every other media platform are all over the Stanley Cup playoffs, whether there are Canadian teams still in contention or not. Rogers as the rights holders for NHL are even deeper in. The way the season is now, the league has full media attention at the start of the season, and throughout their playoffs, which start after the World Series. Why on earth would they want to give that up?

[KCargosfan]

Exactly. It's not even entirely about ratings. The league needs all the media attention it can get at key points in the year. TSN and every other media platform are all over the Stanley Cup playoffs, whether there are Canadian teams still in contention or not. Rogers as the rights holders for NHL are even deeper in. The way the season is now, the league has full media attention at the start of the season, and throughout their playoffs, which start after the World Series. Why on earth would they want to give that up?

Makes sense. So the league basically shouldn't go any earlier than it is this year, with regular season games starting June 14-16.

[Neely2005]

Exactly. It's not even entirely about ratings. The league needs all the media attention it can get at key points in the year. TSN and every other media platform are all over the Stanley Cup playoffs, whether there are Canadian teams still in contention or not. Rogers as the rights holders for NHL are even deeper in. The way the season is now, the league has full media attention at the start of the season, and throughout their playoffs, which start after the World Series. Why on earth would they want to give that up?

Increased ticket sales and increased US TV $.

[AngeloV]

Increased ticket sales and increased US TV $.

Sure, if you say so. I say it will result in overall decrease in ticket sales. Less press = less awareness. And even if the US TV deal brought in 10M per year, which I have doubts on, that is not significant enough on a per team basis.

[Neely2005]

Sure, if you say so. I say it will result in overall decrease in ticket sales. Less press = less awareness. And even if the US TV deal brought in 10M per year, which I have doubts on, that is not significant enough on a per team basis.

It's probable that the next US TV deal will be worth more than the current Canadian TV deal.

[paulwoods13]

It's probable that the next US TV deal will be worth more than the current Canadian TV deal.

Wow, $40M Cdn per year from US TV? I'll take that bet.

[AngeloV]

It's probable that the next US TV deal will be worth more than the current Canadian TV deal.

I have serious doubts about that. I think the money is not even at the 10M amount I used as an example. My guess is Ambrosie is taking a gamble that NFLN will be happy with the viewership and perhaps offer bigger bucks down the road. A gamble which IMO is not worth the risk.

And for the record, I get why you are defending this so hard. I know that you were the most vocal about not liking the move to BMO because you had no desire to sit outdoors in November to watch games. So you're looking at it from a personal point of view. I will be at the games no matter when they are played. I just think it's best to limit the competition around the most important times of the season.