2022 Schedule

[Shatto]

What we need is that elusive Atlantic team. Should be a clearly stated goal for the league by the end of the decade.

Couldn't agree more. IMO a merger with the constantly folding XFL makes no sense at all. Different rules, different field size, different number of players on field, different schedules ,no Canadian ratio, different ownership setup etc If the CFL expands to include a 10th team in the Maritimes, I suspect we will see added interest in the league.

While at it, let's cancel the ridiculous Global experiment. It has cost millions and we will probably never know the true cost. it was to be a revenue earner and that has been a complete bust. Would much rather see the money put into the development of Canadian talent.

[argotom]

There's nothing requiring the XFL to play from Feb to June. IMO it and the CFL could easily play an interlocking April-to-September schedule. Some issues with that, of course, but there are issues with the current schedule as well. The differing ownerships complicates things, obviously, but IMO it's not insurmountable. Field size is not a deal-breaker, IMO.

I fully realize that I'm swimming against the tide here. The XFL possibility is most likely dead although I don't think it's completely out of the question. I still think it could have been done in a way that would have preserved the best traditions of Cdn football (including a Grey Cup champion north of the border), while opening up a wealth of new possibilities both off and on the field.

I agree with this.
Just had a thought about the CFL-XFL existence, so which brings me to the MLB American and National leagues.
So what if while at the CFL city we play strictly 3 downs and our great game, then when at the visiting XFL stadium, the new version game can be played?
Would that be too much confusion, it certainly would be interesting.

[SkalbaniasGhost]

The league has to bring in new teams, every league in North America has.
Even the lowly NLL has more teams etc.
I agree let's get back to the table with The Rock and his XFL league and make some sort of an arrangement to co exist.
Bring in his expansion cash for the teams coming and which can help us get the Atlantic team back.
Which reminds me it has been eerily quiet in Halifax since the covid crises.
I wonder other than one of the so called owners leaving for the Senators, is the rest of the ownership group still engaged or a case of the shorts?

The Halifax file is still open but is going to require some type of movement in 2022.The team website/twitter feed are still active https://www.schooners.ca/.
I believe they will have more info when they announce the Atlantic game next year. They do need to get more investors involved for this to get a team.

[AngeloV]

There's nothing requiring the XFL to play from Feb to June. IMO it and the CFL could easily play an interlocking April-to-September schedule. Some issues with that, of course, but there are issues with the current schedule as well. The differing ownerships complicates things, obviously, but IMO it's not insurmountable. Field size is not a deal-breaker, IMO.

I fully realize that I'm swimming against the tide here. The XFL possibility is most likely dead although I don't think it's completely out of the question. I still think it could have been done in a way that would have preserved the best traditions of Cdn football (including a Grey Cup champion north of the border), while opening up a wealth of new possibilities both off and on the field.

April to September? They would have to finish by Labour Day to avoid head to head with NFL. So you’re talking a 10 game season + playoffs? In fact, I think people in the US would stop watching as soon as NFL pre season starts. Sorry Paul, that wouldn’t work. I strongly disagree with you you. How would that benefit the league to pay similar salaries with half the amount of games played?

[ArgoRavi]

It sucks that they keep putting the Argos in Montreal at the end of the season. I have been going to their games there for years and am getting sick of having to go when the weather is cold. I remember long ago, going to Montreal in summer for games and being able to enjoy Montreal. It is usually cold and wet when I have to go at the end of the season.

Also, the four games with Hamilton in five weeks is asinine. Does not make the league look very good in my opinion for a casual fan who will look to see who the Argos are playing and then say, "What ?? Hamilton AGAIN ??" What happened to the three times meeting division foes, alternating two games at home every other year??

To answer your final question, COVID happened. The league is trying to restrict travel, although cutting costs may be part of it too.

[paulwoods13]

April to September? They would have to finish by Labour Day to avoid head to head with NFL. So you’re talking a 10 game season + playoffs? In fact, I think people in the US would stop watching as soon as NFL pre season starts. Sorry Paul, that wouldn’t work. I strongly disagree with you you. How would that benefit the league to pay similar salaries with half the amount of games played?

There are 23 weekends between the first weekend of April and Labour Day, sufficient time to get in a 16-game/17-week or 18-game/19-week season, plus four weeks of playoffs. I don't believe NFL PS games with projected starters playing only a bit would be a serious impediment to getting good crowds into U.S. stadiums for playoff football, and definitely not an issue in Canada.

[paulwoods13]

The Halifax file is still open but is going to require some type of movement in 2022.The team website/twitter feed are still active https://www.schooners.ca/.
I believe they will have more info when they announce the Atlantic game next year. They do need to get more investors involved for this to get a team.

I'm far past believing that franchise will ever get off the ground. If there wasn't sufficient momentum and govt support before Covid, how will there be now? I'd love a team in Halifax, but this has been talked about for 40 years and we are no closer now than we were when I attended an Atlantic Schooners hospitality suite at the 1982 Grey Cup.

[shayman]

The Halifax file is still open but is going to require some type of movement in 2022.The team website/twitter feed are still active https://www.schooners.ca/.
I believe they will have more info when they announce the Atlantic game next year. They do need to get more investors involved for this to get a team.

Sure the site is still up but the most recent "Latest News" article is from August 2019.

This is actually a good example to use when people claim it would be easy to, say, move the Argos somewhere else. Where's the money for a new stadium coming from? Why do you think the Atlantic Schooners aren't playing? It's because nobody can find the money for a stadium.

[AngeloV]

There are 23 weekends between the first weekend of April and Labour Day, sufficient time to get in a 16-game/17-week or 18-game/19-week season, plus four weeks of playoffs. I don't believe NFL PS games with projected starters playing only a bit would be a serious impediment to getting good crowds into U.S. stadiums for playoff football, and definitely not an issue in Canada.

You are right, I had a brain cramp counting months. But I disagree with you about the NFL pre-season not being an impediment. IMO once training camps open, people are going to be more inclined to tune into the NFL network than the XFL games. Also, you are now looking at competing with the entire NHL and NBA playoffs. I stand by my beliefs, it will never fly.

[Neely2005]

We have a home game during the Toronto Indy. That seems problematic.

[Ryan52]

We have a home game during the Toronto Indy. That seems problematic.

its the atlantic game

[Neely2005]

its the atlantic game

Ah okay. Can't believe that we're the home team for that yet again. Total BS.

[paulwoods13]

This is kind of off topic, but I am wondering what the decision to hold the world junior hockey championship in August will mean for the CFL's TV schedule. TSN historically puts at least one (and sometimes two) junior games in prime time every night when the tournament is held in North America, as it will be this summer. How is that going to work with the CFL's need for prime-time TV slots on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays?

[Ryan52]

Ah okay. Can't believe that we're the home team for that yet again. Total BS.

its a shame for us fans but i assume mlse is happy to do it

[SkalbaniasGhost]

This is kind of off topic, but I am wondering what the decision to hold the world junior hockey championship in August will mean for the CFL's TV schedule. TSN historically puts at least one (and sometimes two) junior games in prime time every night when the tournament is held in North America, as it will be this summer. How is that going to work with the CFL's need for prime-time TV slots on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays?

http://www.tsn.ca/subscribe

[AngeloV]

This is kind of off topic, but I am wondering what the decision to hold the world junior hockey championship in August will mean for the CFL's TV schedule. TSN historically puts at least one (and sometimes two) junior games in prime time every night when the tournament is held in North America, as it will be this summer. How is that going to work with the CFL's need for prime-time TV slots on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays?

I would say no effect. There were many CFL games last season on only 1 or 2 of the TSN channels. I could see each the WJC and CFL getting 2 of the 4 feeds (TSN 2 usually has alternate programming) if there is a conflict.

[paulwoods13]

I would say no effect. There were many CFL games last season on only 1 or 2 of the TSN channels. I could see each the WJC and CFL getting 2 of the 4 feeds (TSN 2 usually has alternate programming) if there is a conflict.

Right, but will TSN ensure that the regional network(s) that play CFL games are the ones that serve the region(s) of the teams in those games? For instance, will Argo and Ticat games be on TSN4, the Ontario feed for TSN? Or will they be shunted off to one of the other regional feeds so that the biggest market gets the hockey game?

[AngeloV]

Right, but will TSN ensure that the regional network(s) that play CFL games are the ones that serve the region(s) of the teams in those games? For instance, will Argo and Ticat games be on TSN4, the Ontario feed for TSN? Or will they be shunted off to one of the other regional feeds so that the biggest market gets the hockey game?

They did not do that this past year. I remember complaining that season opener at Calgary was not on TSN4. In their arrogance, I think they just assume that everyone will have all of their channels.

[paulwoods13]

They did not do that this past year. I remember complaining that season opener at Calgary was not on TSN4. In their arrogance, I think they just assume that everyone will have all of their channels.

That's the point. I imagine it will happen that way again during the WJC.

[ArgoRavi]

So there's going to be a World Junior Hockey Championship in both August and December? Talk about overkill.