CBC may be back in the new TV deal picture.

[argotom]

Here is the latest write up on this possibility.
I know this Dowbiggen guy has slagged the league at every opportunity, however where there is smoke there is fire?


<!-- m -->http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/c ... le4378339/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/cfl-eying-up-new-dance-partner/article4378339/)<!-- m -->

[Fungi]

Sounds good to me. After the NHL, the CBC has nothing.
As long as some peon in TO doesn't cancel a game for a movie because of a lightening storm in Riderville, I'd be OK with that. I still wonder who the tool was who did that. It was a good game.
It's also good for retired vets who want to get into broadcasting.
Or, how about... "A Football Moment With Midnight Blue". Classic ! You could get 1argoholic as a phone-in guest from the west coast. Snowrogue in Winnipeg....and as long as they don't have a watermelon on their heads...a Rider fan. (bad melon vibes).
CBC. Ooh yea!

[Invader]

Sounds good to me. After the NHL, the CBC has nothing.
As long as some peon in TO doesn't cancel a game for a movie because of a lightening storm in Riderville, I'd be OK with that. I still wonder who the tool was who did that. It was a good game.

The CBC producer in charge went home during the rain delay and turned off her cellphone and didn't have a home phone. So nobody could contact her to get the OK to resume the game. The worst part was it was a lousy B. Streisand movie, Prince of Tides.

[1argoholic]

Before TSN 2 we got screwed a few times with golf running too long. Golf and Poker are not sports they are games.

It would be good to have more than one broadcaster. I'm sick of huge corporations owning everything. I think I'll start a sit in this summer and call it Occupy 2.

Yah we're moving back to Ontario but not soon enough for me.

[CptArcher]

Before TSN 2 we got screwed a few times with golf running too long. Golf and Poker are not sports they are games.

It would be good to have more than one broadcaster. I'm sick of huge corporations owning everything. I think I'll start a sit in this summer and call it Occupy 2.

Yah we're moving back to Ontario but not soon enough for me.
Couldn't agree more.

[jerrym]

I would like to see the CBC back in the picture too. However, the Conservative Harper government would love to starve the CBC down to PBS size with no sports, or at least no popular sports. Then all money-making programs in Canada would be private. The Liberals under Chretien were little better because he believed the French part of the network was harbouring too many separatists. When the CBC workers went on strike in 2005, the CBC president, Robert Rabinovich, a rather intellectual 'the arts are great' type appointed by Chretien, said he saw the CBC's role in sports as one of promoting amateur sport because there were now private alternatives for professional sports. His indifference to the effects of the lack of broadcasts of CFL games during the strike but the immediate signing of a labour contract on the eve of the NHL hockey season (because he realized without advertising from hockey the cuts would be horrendous) angered the CFL so much because of the disrespect shown it. The CFL therefore decided there was no way it would let the CBC bid on a contract when it came up for renewal. When I talked to Rabinovich on a phone-in program he dismissively restated the CBC should focus on the arts and fill in its sports component with only amateur sports, even though hockey and football were two of its biggest audiences. I think current CBC management are more grounded by the reality that pro sports help fund other programs. Even if the CBC doesn't win the CFL rights, the more competition there is for these rights, the better off the CFL is. As others have stated, a CBC contract would also allow more people to see CFL games.

[Hollaway]

I like the TSN coverage of the CFL more, but hey, not everyone has access to it, so maybe they can work out a deal between the different networks.

[argonaut11xx]

the CBC is a joke..and should be privatized...

that said...good for the CFL to use "me and my money"...oops..i mean the CBC to leverage a better TV deal

The smartest move for TSN/CTV would be to air the Grey Cup (and maybe the east/west finals) on the CTV as well

[Hollaway]

CTV would probably be a better option then CBC in my opinion, if I remember correctly, didn't CTV use to broadcast the CFL games at one point in time? Like in the 80's?

[doubleblue]

I haven't much use for the CBC and most of their commentators. But I wouldn't mind seeing them get back showing some CFL games, with new play by play people (please). Especially if the CFL could get more TV money out of it. TSN could still have Friday night football and any other night except Saturday, which could be CBC's day or night.
I don't think Stephen Harper is out to down right kill the CBC, just trying to get rid of the of the commies that have taken over in there. I know there are more CFL friendly people in the Conversative Gov't and Senate than all of the rest combined. So I think the CBC Sports will be given the green light to bid high on Hockey Night in Canada and the CFL. It would be nice to see the CFL get around 5 mil for each club in the new contract, as long as the players get a 50/50 split. I don't know where that would raise the SMS to, maybe double what it is now. The CFL will never be able to go head to head with the NFL anymore over the NFL draft choices, but they could be able to steal more undrafted players and some off the NFL PR's. Except for some of the #1 picks, there isn't a lot of difference in the rest of the players IMO. Because there are so many good players coming out of American Colleges every year.

[Hollaway]

You've made some really great points doubleblue, I think I can speak for all CFL fans when I say, I'm all for what's best for the CFL with their TV deal, but yeah, would love TSN to keep the Friday night games, and if CBC was to do some, to at least go with a fresh new approach and new broadcasters.

[gilthethrill]

It would be nice to see the CFL get around 5 mil for each club in the new contract, as long as the players get a 50/50 split.

doubleblue, if the above where to happen, don't you think the assistant coaches who work for small wages should get an increase, or perhaps a pension plan as well?

[argotom]

I think the $50M per year is very realistic.
But and I do believe Cohon is more of a negotiator then Tom Wright was as unlike the last contract we have to bring everyone to the table to create leverage for the league and a bidding war will ensue.
This will only increase the price and garner market value.

[doubleblue]

It would be nice to see the CFL get around 5 mil for each club in the new contract, as long as the players get a 50/50 split.

doubleblue, if the above where to happen, don't you think the assistant coaches who work for small wages should get an increase, or perhaps a pension plan as well?

That sounds good to me. It shows how much some of these guys love the game to be away from their families half the year for average paydays and no pension plan. Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the average assistant in the CFL gets around 75,000 with co-ordinators 125-150,00. HC's 250,000 and up ?

[Invader]

I think the $50M per year is very realistic.
But and I do believe Cohon is more of a negotiator then Tom Wright was as unlike the last contract we have to bring everyone to the table to create leverage for the league and a bidding war will ensue.
This will only increase the price and garner market value.
It would be great for the CFL to earn $50M a year from TV but that seems like too big of jump. Currently teams earn under $2M per year from the league's TV and sponsorship contracts. So that's about $15M from TV (a reported $75M over 5 years). Even a 50% increase in TV rights would bring in $22.5M or about $2.5M per team (the league office gets an equal share.) That works out to about 15%-20% of gross revenues for most teams (but only 8% for the Riders)...not enough to tip the scales into the comfort zone. A 50% increase in TV revenues could be entirely eaten up if each player was given a $1000 salary increase.

Hopefully the TV contract will be huge and we can see at least a 100% or 200% increase, which is closer to the real value of TV of $50M-$65M.

doubleblue wrote:

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the average assistant in the CFL gets around 75,000 with co-ordinators 125-150,00. HC's 250,000 and up ?
I think that pretty much bang-on, db. The league also now "guarantees" the length of contract of HC & Coordinators but not for position coaches.

[argotom]

Yes the players and coaches are in or should be receiving decent raises.
The cap should be increased to a minimum $5M with the rosters also increasing from the current 46 to perhaps 50? Even 50 is the average of $100k.
I would also seriously look at a franchise player tag.
Either way, I do not understand why a team has to declare and go with 42 players on the 46 man roster.
Let's play the current 46.

[KCargosfan]

I think the $50M per year is very realistic.

I like the enthusiasm, but if Cohon gets $50 million a year, he may be the best businessman on the planet. The contract won't go from $16 million a year to $50 million. If it goes up to $25 million a year, that would be a big gain in itself. Anything over that should be considered gravy.

[paulwoods13]

Yes the players and coaches are in or should be receiving decent raises.
The cap should be increased to a minimum $5M with the rosters also increasing from the current 46 to perhaps 50? Even 50 is the average of $100k.
I would also seriously look at a franchise player tag.
Either way, I do not understand why a team has to declare and go with 42 players on the 46 man roster.
Let's play the current 46.

Aside from the fact that the league cannot afford to increase the cap by 50% (and there is almost no way the new TV deal makes that possible), dressing 46 players would reduce, not increase, the entertainment value, IMO. The more situational specialists and special teams guys who dress, the tighter the play on the field. I'd prefer to see rosters reduced by four players than increased by four players. I'm not advocating a reduction, but if I had to choose one or the other, I'd scale it down, not up.

[argotom]

Aside from the fact that the league cannot afford to increase the cap by 50% (and there is almost no way the new TV deal makes that possible), dressing 46 players would reduce, not increase, the entertainment value, IMO. The more situational specialists and special teams guys who dress, the tighter the play on the field. I'd prefer to see rosters reduced by four players than increased by four players. I'm not advocating a reduction, but if I had to choose one or the other, I'd scale it down, not up.

I disagree, the more players you dress that improves the quality as the multi positional players will be able to concentrate on their presumed lone position on top of which the rest factor.

[AngeloV]

I disagree, the more players you dress that improves the quality as the multi positional players will be able to concentrate on their presumed lone position on top of which the rest factor.

But you hate the NFL, and they have a bigger roster. Wouldn't you agree that it might make our game a little more "robotic" to have situational players?

[Hollaway]

The CFL is perfect the way it is, our game is unique, we have a bigger field and we also have bigger balls lol (as the slogan went a few years ago lol), the only thing I have never been to sure about is where the uprights are in the field (0 yard line), I'm surprised players don't get seriously hurt more often.

[doubleblue]

I like the enthusiasm, but if Cohon gets $50 million a year, he may be the best businessman on the planet. The contract won't go from $16 million a year to $50 million. If it goes up to $25 million a year, that would be a big gain in itself. Anything over that should be considered gravy.

Twenty-Five is probably realistic, but we can always dream.

I know one thing that won't happen is reducing the rosters to 40 from the present as was proposed as a preference. The CFLPA would never agree to that. That's the name of the game now for Unions, everything has to be negoiated, and no steps backwards.

[Ballstothewall]

Is this not the same CBC, that when they did cover the CFL last, did not broadcast any games till Labour day. That put No money in to any production values. It took a private broadcaster to see the value in the CFL, put some money into broadcasting the product and is now reaping the rewards. This is typical of the CBC. Please do NOT go over to the CBC

[paulwoods13]

But you hate the NFL, and they have a bigger roster. Wouldn't you agree that it might make our game a little more "robotic" to have situational players?

That's what I was getting at. As the rosters have expanded, we have had more and more "specialists" in the lineup, guys who do one or two things really well (such as covering receivers as an extra DB, or covering kicks) and who, because of the roster size, seldom get put into positions where they might make mistakes. Mistakes make for big plays.

Simultaneous to this progressive roster expansion, coaching staffs also expanded and the CFL became much more of a coaches' game than it ever used to be. It used to be that the outcome of NFL games was determined to a very great extent by coaching, whereas in the CFL it was determined far more by players. Now the CFL has swung more towards coaching dominance and specialization, and at times it is to the detriment of entertainment value, IMO.

In 1982 and '83, the Argos had four assistant coaches (two offence and two defence) and dressed, I believe, 34 players per game. Starters seldom got off the field, and pretty well every starter except the QB had to play on at least one or two special teams. Nowadays eight more players get dressed, so a lot of starters never play ST and a lot of starters are substituted in and out freely throughout the game. So fatigue is less of an issue, and guys whose main job is to stop the offence or the kick return team are able to stay fresh and focus on preventing big plays. I genuinely believe that if rosters were reduced back to, say, 38 dressed, it would open up the game and make it more exciting.

[KCargosfan]

Twenty-Five is probably realistic, but we can always dream.

I know one thing that won't happen is reducing the rosters to 40 from the present as was proposed as a preference. The CFLPA would never agree to that. That's the name of the game now for Unions, everything has to be negoiated, and no steps backwards.

I think the roster numbers are fine, just need to get that 9th team back in the league, give another 53 players football jobs.

[Hollaway]

What ever happened to Ottawa getting a team again? And for years they were looking to putting a team in the east coast (Nova Scotia) I think, I would love to see the league grow, and we have many cities across Canada that could support a team, but are we lacking interest or owners with deep pockets?

[ArgoRavi]

Ottawa is coming back in either 2014 or 2015.

[Hollaway]

Thanks for the update, I thought it was in 2013, the CFL has to start looking elsewhere in Canada as well, lots of great medium sized cities that could support a team, with large business communities and without any major sports teams, can you hear cha ching?

[argotom]

Ottawa is coming back in either 2014 or 2015.


Let's hope it is 14, but the shovel has to get in the ground early fall.


But you hate the NFL, and they have a bigger roster. Wouldn't you agree that it might make our game a little more "robotic" to have situational players?


Yes I do hate the NFL, so your point is what?
But playing all 46 players is realistic in this day and age of bigger, faster and stronger.
Plus no one has fully explained why 42 play when the roster is actually 46?

[KCargosfan]

Let's hope it is 14, but the shovel has to get in the ground early fall.

Why can't they start asap?

[ArgoRavi]

Why can't they start asap?

I believe that there is still one outstanding legal challenge from the Lansdowne Conservancy (I believe that is what they are called - this is not the Friends of Lansdowne who are done) and the city still has to take one final vote which isn't going to happen until September IIRC.

[Hollaway]

It's great that Ottawa will soon be in, but don't like having an odd number of teams (9) in the league again, the CFL has been talking for years about possible expansion into the East Coast, maybe it's time they consider Halifax again.

[argotom]

I believe that there is still one outstanding legal challenge from the Lansdowne Conservancy (I believe that is what they are called - this is not the Friends of Lansdowne who are done) and the city still has to take one final vote which isn't going to happen until September IIRC.

Isn't that something, I have been following the process from afar and it is still a legal quagmire.
How a few lefties can hijack the system and the legal process instead of throwing out the challenge early on allows it to proceed with various appeals adnauseam.
Only in Canada!


It's great that Ottawa will soon be in, but don't like having an odd number of teams (9) in the league again, the CFL has been talking for years about possible expansion into the East Coast, maybe it's time they consider Halifax again.

I agree with you, 10 teams is a must.
However, the only city that currently has a chance in the East is Moncton with the 2 recent games as they have a viable stadium that can be expanded to the required 25k.
As for Halifax, they neither have a stadium, a prospective owner and more important no political will.

[Fungi]

I don`t see any signs of a Touchdown Atlantic game this year. Has the novelty wore off so soon

[R.J]

Why can't they start asap?
One last legal issue, work is currently being done on the site, but shovels won't "officially" hit the ground until September (hopefully). 2014 is currently the start date, however with Winnipeg's stadium being delayed Cohon and the OSEG could plan for 2015 start date.

I believe that there is still one outstanding legal challenge from the Lansdowne Conservancy (I believe that is what they are called - this is not the Friends of Lansdowne who are done) and the city still has to take one final vote which isn't going to happen until September IIRC.
You are correct Ravi, the LPC is the last legal challenge.

I agree with you, 10 teams is a must.
However, the only city that currently has a chance in the East is Moncton with the 2 recent games as they have a viable stadium that can be expanded to the required 25k.
As for Halifax, they neither have a stadium, a prospective owner and more important no political will.
Moncton is nowhere near ready, maximum seating is 21K, and that's with temporary seating in the endzone (more than 10K). Commissioner Cohon himself has stated it would take another $70-90 million for Moncton's stadium to be "CFL Ready".

I don`t see any signs of a Touchdown Atlantic game this year. Has the novelty wore off so soon
The novelty hasn't wore off just yet, only Toronto and Hamilton could be the home teams, because the league can't afford to buy out the other teams home dates, and with this being Ivor Wynne's last year, the TiCAts wanted all their games in Ivor Wynne. Toronto being the 100th Grey Cup year and all, wanted all their games at home as well. Commissioner Cohon has brought up that Moncton could take over 2 home TiCat games next season with the TiCats being homeless in 2013.

[Fungi]

One last legal issue, work is currently being done on the site, but shovels won't "officially" hit the ground until September (hopefully). 2014 is currently the start date, however with Winnipeg's stadium being delayed Cohon and the OSEG could plan for 2015 start date.

You are correct Ravi, the LPC is the last legal challenge.

Moncton is nowhere near ready, maximum seating is 21K, and that's with temporary seating in the endzone (more than 10K). Commissioner Cohon himself has stated it would take another $70-90 million for Moncton's stadium to be "CFL Ready".

The novelty hasn't wore off just yet, only Toronto and Hamilton could be the home teams, because the league can't afford to buy out the other teams home dates, and with this being Ivor Wynne's last year, the TiCAts wanted all their games in Ivor Wynne. Toronto being the 100th Grey Cup year and all, wanted all their games at home as well. Commissioner Cohon has brought up that Moncton could take over 2 home TiCat games next season with the TiCats being homeless in 2013.

Damn good reporting SnowRogue! Thanks!

[argotom]

Boy you hate to be critical, but there was no imagination on that last drive.
Very vanilla play calling?

[ArgoRavi]

Boy you hate to be critical, but there was no imagination on that last drive.
Very vanilla play calling?

I am assuming that you are talking about Rod Black considering the thread that this is in. ;)

[gilthethrill]

I had the opportunity to listen to TSN Radio's pre game show with host Jim Tatti. Man knows his Argos, great to listen to.

Don't ask me about Sportsnet radio Friday roundtable that I listened to at 6pm while driving home from work....Host Jeff Blair admitted he was unaware the CFL season started yesterday until late that afternoon....then complained the CFL had no storylines to start the season.... I really don't want Sportsnet broadcasting CFL games after hearing those guys.

[ArgoRavi]

I had the opportunity to listen to TSN Radio's pre game show with host Jim Tatti. Man knows his Argos, great to listen to.

Don't ask me about Sportsnet radio Friday roundtable that I listened to at 6pm while driving home from work....Host Jeff Blair admitted he was unaware the CFL season started yesterday until late that afternoon....then complained the CFL had no storylines to start the season.... I really don't want Sportsnet broadcasting CFL games after hearing those guys.

If you are working in the world of Rogers, you wouldn't know a dang thing about the CFL as I am sure that nobody talks about it or is allowed to within their offices. For Jeff Blair to not know that the CFL season started last night is something that, as a sports columnist or sports radio host or whatever it is he does, shameful. What storylines does he want exactly?

[Scottish_Argo]

Im fortunate that ESPN are showing the CFL games this season now i get to watch CFL live as opposed to the highlights on the argos site.

[johnnyice]

TSN has done an outstanding job ! Much better than the CBC considering they have unlimited funds courtesy of the gov't . TSN has re-established the CFL in Canada with an excellent broadcast crew and is available everywhere . TSN also has an alternate channel if for some reason a change is required . If the CBC decides to air DAVID SUZUKI crap or a PETER MANSBRIDGE teleprompter third world "breaking news" item during a game , it will do so !

[1argoholic]

Or a Road To Avonlee marathon. hahaha.