Okay, so the off season officially begins now that the Grey Cup is over. Lots of topics for discussion in the months to come with the Bombers & the League. A new CBA needs to be negotiated sooner rather than later.  Will there be an eventual agreement or a lockout? How much will the salary cap go up? Randy Ambrosie is on record that wants the cap to significantly go up so that is a positive.  Will Bo Levi Mitchell sign with an NFL or perhaps another CFL team? What about Mike Reilly & Trevor Harris who are also free agents? There's a new start up league called the  AAFL & there are legit concerns that it'll draw star CFL players away or hamper free agent signings with CFL teams. Coaching changes in BC & Toronto. The continuing evolving story of the expansion Halifax Schooners & possible exhibition games in Mexico. 

Edited November 27, 20187 yr by SpeedFlex27

Good revenue generator, maybe attract some tourism to the city as well, Packer fans who have no hope of setting foot in Lambeau.

Logistics could be annoying mid-season, Bombers have home game August 15 then Banjo Bowl, so shouldn't be too bad.

Fwiw, Riders apparently were not pleased with having an NFL team play in their stadium, and the Esks have said they are absolutely not bidding for it........very interesting.

Just now, Noeller said:

Fwiw, Riders apparently were not pleased with having an NFL team play in their stadium, and the Esks have said they are absolutely not bidding for it........very interesting.

I guess we got it now.

 

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

Fwiw, Riders apparently were not pleased with having an NFL team play in their stadium, and the Esks have said they are absolutely not bidding for it........very interesting.

Sounds like the NFL game would have been day before a Rider home game, so pretty much impossible to pull that off.

Bombers don't have a home game until Banjo Bowl following the proposed date (August 23),

I personally won't go to the game. But I don't have an issue with it being held here. Assuming there's some kind of compensation to the organization.

Bombers are giving a non-answer at this point. Basically said "we're always looking at events we can host, and revenue we can bring in. We will have no further comment at this time."

41 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Bombers are giving a non-answer at this point. Basically said "we're always looking at events we can host, and revenue we can bring in. We will have no further comment at this time."

 

41 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Bombers are giving a non-answer at this point. Basically said "we're always looking at events we can host, and revenue we can bring in. We will have no further comment at this time."

Translation: " We're looking at how much revenue this will bring in while fearing the impact. It's a competition between greed and fear- just like the stock market."

oh wow I guess everyone has forgotten about the one time the U.S. won the grey cup

Excellent idea. Akin to a major concert.  Why wouldn’t they?  Big dollars. It’s not like Winnipeg is at risk of alienating cfl fans wanting an nfl franchise here. 

I believe that the suggested day for this game is Friday, Aug 23. Problem is that the Bombers will be playing at Edm that day. Even if they bring an NFL pre-season game here that's not the game I'll be watching.

1 hour ago, Fred C Dobbs said:

I believe that the suggested day for this game is Friday, Aug 23. Problem is that the Bombers will be playing at Edm that day. Even if they bring an NFL pre-season game here that's not the game I'll be watching.

But would you go the NFL game, then watch the Bomber game on the jumbotron after? 

How many folks in Winnipeg would be willing to pay to watch an NFL preseason game? Would the Bombers be able to even half fill the stadium? I kinda doubt it.

1 hour ago, JCon said:

But would you go the NFL game, then watch the Bomber game on the jumbotron after? 

Doubt it. It would have to be exceptionally interesting like if the Vikings were playing and they brought Bud Grant along.

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

How many folks in Winnipeg would be willing to pay to watch an NFL preseason game? Would the Bombers be able to even half fill the stadium? I kinda doubt it.

Raiders aren't a draw here. Vikes vs pack might sell out tho

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

How many folks in Winnipeg would be willing to pay to watch an NFL preseason game? Would the Bombers be able to even half fill the stadium? I kinda doubt it.

My interest in the game is beyond zero... why the hell would I want to watch Nathan Peterman play for a half? 

Personally not interested. Not sure how well this would sell here.

27 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Raiders aren't a draw here. Vikes vs pack might sell out tho

To watch depth/practice roster players play in a meaningless game...? I highly doubt it.

NFL pre-season games in Canada... What a terrible idea*.

*unless the host team and league are handsomely compensated

Edited March 27, 20196 yr by blue_gold_84

I keep thinking that a city the size of Toronto couldn't get much of a crowd for the Bills, who are a big deal for southern Ontario peeps........how could the Bombers possibly make money off this? And the only way I'd want to do it is if the Bombers were going to make a killing...

I'm not against the idea, but not sure I'd pay to watch it. Maybe if they guaranteed the starters would play the 1st half, but I can't see that happening. Watching a bunch of guys I've never heard of, on teams I don't care about, play a meaningless game isn't appealing to me.

It’s the 3rd preseason game so traditionally that’s the game the starters play the most in.

25 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I keep thinking that a city the size of Toronto couldn't get much of a crowd for the Bills, who are a big deal for southern Ontario peeps........how could the Bombers possibly make money off this? And the only way I'd want to do it is if the Bombers were going to make a killing...

Winnipeg is actually more of a sportstown than Toronto is. Plz never use Toronto as a comparison to us EVER. 

Depends on the teams... Raiders dont interest me 1 bit. 

If they're talking about week 3 of the preseason, isn't that when teams usually play their starters the most?

I think some of you are underestimating the amount of NFL fans in Manitoba. Anecdotally, I probably know more people who follow the NFL than really care about the CFL much at all.  When the Bombers are bad they make fun of the whole league, and when the Bombers are good, they might get into it a tiny bit and go to a couple games.  But every week they're devoting their Sunday to the NFL.  I like the NFL too, but I think they're ridiculous. But there are a lot of them.

How many people would come watch from Grand Forks if the Vikings or Packers were involved? That is, if people in Grand Forks would even know how to find Winnipeg.

If Raider Dave was coming, I'd go, but you just can't depend on him being there.

Interesting stuff....
https://3downnation.com/2019/03/27/john-gormley-calls-bs-on-riders-statement-regarding-an-nfl-pre-season-game-in-regina/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter