How Would Moving the CFL Season Earlier Affect the Argos?

[Neely2005]

If they do it, they'll do it for a year, realize the reduced press at the start of the season and in the playoffs hurts the league more than playing cold weather playoff games do, and admit it was a bad decision. Similar to when the tried playing playoff games on Saturday that 1 year.

The additional US television money and better attendance at the end of the season will more than make it worth their while going forward.

[paulwoods13]

The additional US television money and better attendance at the end of the season will more than make it worth their while going forward.

I have yet to see evidence that either will materialize. I really, really doubt that NFL Network or ESPN are just dying to have more Cdn football in the summer to the tune of millions of dollars. And I'll repeat what I've written before -- IMO attendance would be adversely affected in Toronto and other eastern markets, where cottages and weekend getaways are a big part of summer culture. I think any gain from earlier playoff games on the Prairies would be offset by losses out here.

[rdavies]

I have yet to see evidence that either will materialize. I really, really doubt that NFL Network or ESPN are just dying to have more Cdn football in the summer to the tune of millions of dollars. And I'll repeat what I've written before -- IMO attendance would be adversely affected in Toronto and other eastern markets, where cottages and weekend getaways are a big part of summer culture. I think any gain from earlier playoff games on the Prairies would be offset by losses out here.

While I do think NFLN is desperate for live content, and I would love to see it, I don't think the big bucks will materialize. I can't see ESPN ponying up big money to suddenly get something they were previously basically given and already know what it can offer.

But Ambrosie has been down there and meeting with both so I would wonder why he is pushing this agenda or just pushing to move the schedule up a few weeks just to see what happens. Even if he gets a decent offer from NFLN does that offset the lesser exposure than they would get on ESPN. Or is having most games on ESPN3 getting exposure? Then again ESPN3 is widely available via the internet so the potential of larger audiences is there but that could be like the error (that they never recovered from) that the NHL made choosing SportsChannel America over ESPN.

Commercial ad rates will be less the farther they get from the Christmas season, there will be more competition from other sports, so there are some cons to this whole idea.

[AngeloV]

The additional US television money and better attendance at the end of the season will more than make it worth their while going forward.

Again, the 3 weeks they would be head to head during the Stanley Cup playoffs, IMO would cost them more in ticket sales, than the 2 weeks in November. I've already done a comparison to playoff attendance vs regular season attendance this year. Only Winnipeg was below their average, and it was only by 300 tickets. Calgary was higher. Ottawa was their usual sell out. And Toronto was almost 60% higher than their average. Had Winnipeg hosted the Western final, they too likely would have been higher.

The notion that fans stay away in cold weather is without basis. Those that do, are absolutely in the minority.

[Neely2005]

Again, the 3 weeks they would be head to head during the Stanley Cup playoffs, IMO would cost them more in ticket sales, than the 2 weeks in November. I've already done a comparison to playoff attendance vs regular season attendance this year. Only Winnipeg was below their average, and it was only by 300 tickets. Calgary was higher. Ottawa was their usual sell out. And Toronto was almost 60% higher than their average. Had Winnipeg hosted the Western final, they too likely would have been higher.

The notion that fans stay away in cold weather is without basis. Those that do, are absolutely in the minority.

Canadian teams aren't known for having long playoff runs lately.

Len Rhodes disagrees with your assessment.

[AngeloV]

Canadian teams aren't known for having long playoff runs lately.

Len Rhodes disagrees with your assessment.

I really don't think it matters. Canadian sports networks are all over the playoffs regardless of who is participating. The lack of exposure alone will result in less butts in the seats at that time. The league needs all the top sports billing it can get. They get it from mid June until October, and throughout the month of November.