https://www.tsn.ca/naylor-many-questions-but-few-answers-on-a-2021-cfl-season-1.1543725

The Canadian Football League has been outrageously quiet since it pulled the plug on its season more than two months ago, leaving behind a wake of speculation about where things are headed next.

With the reality setting in that COVID-19 is likely to still be around in some form next summer, there is real concern about what the 2021 season might look like or if it will occur at all.

There are teams that believe it is vitally important to play in 2021 and that without a season the CFL is in danger of being mothballed. Whether every team believes that is another question. And there is a lot to sort out before anyone can accurately predict what a season might look like and how much pain the teams are collectively willing to stomach to make it happen.

The league and its franchises are currently running through various scenarios for next season, trying to get a handle on true costs of each and working at ways to trim budgets and save money. That’s likely to continue until the league can truly choose a course of action, which feels like next April at the earliest.

Why? Well, there’s not much point in fully committing to a scenario that’s seven months away if that scenario might be totally unrealistic by the time you get there.

There has been no 2021 business plan presented yet, only regular updates to the presidents and governors about what the league is doing to prepare for the unknown.

It should be noted that teams will need to make decisions about retaining assistant coaches with expiring contracts by December, which will be the first real economic commitments to a 2021 season. Restrictions on signing players will need to be lifted well before the opening of February free agency, where players are likely to meet a cautious market – one in which signing bonuses will probably be absent.

There’s a collective bargaining agreement to amend, if not renegotiate, with the players, which will require some kind of pressure point because it always does. But the league can’t sit down with the players until it gets a true handle on revenues and it can’t do that until it chooses a course of action.

Will CFL teams be allowed to have full stadiums next summer? It doesn't seem likely. But just what percentage of capacity will be allowed – if any at all – is impossible to guess. It seems as if the league is counting on the restrictions that currently prevent fans from being in stadiums being lifted. But to what degree?

When will we see a schedule? Good question. Or could we see multiple schedules for different scenarios? Never say never.

Could it be a 21-week, 18-game season played in home stadiums? Unlikely, given the losses teams are expected to take with reduced numbers of fans in the stands. Could we see a return to the 10-week bubble? Maybe. A nine-game schedule played in home stadiums before fans? Perhaps.

The point is no one knows, so demanding answers to questions that can’t possibly be answered right now is a waste of time.

All we know is that there’s going to be a lot less revenue for teams to operate with under any scenario, not just because of crowd restrictions but also due to older fans choosing to stay home for their safety. The CFL’s fan demographics do it no favours in this regard.

Getting consensus on a best course of action won’t be easy for the CFL’s nine teams. Back in the summer, there were teams that were willing to play without government support and teams that weren’t. And just like then, the biggest challenge commissioner Randy Ambrosie faces now is finding a scenario they can all live with.

Adopting a revenue-sharing model so that each team absorbs the same amount of red ink would certainly make consensus-building easier, which many believe should be the direction for the future, COVID-19 or not.

The other elephant in the room is federal government, which many in the CFL believe left it high and dry last summer after months of back-and-forth talks where the league believed it was making progress.

Is the CFL prepared to go down that road again, knowing it doesn’t control the timeline and larger forces can change things in an instant? Perhaps, although it’s not as though the feds don’t have a long list of people coming at them with their hands out.

There will be voices demanding the owners suck up the losses of playing a season under any circumstance, as owners have done in other sports. But the business calculation in sports such as MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA is different because of the percentage of revenues those leagues derive from television.

Losses sustained by playing in those leagues can also be viewed as investments towards protecting massive franchise values. That’s not the case in the CFL, where teams can’t just float money on the backs of their franchise values, and where one third of the teams are publicly owned.

It would be beneficial for the league to soon announce its formal commitment to play some kind of season in 2021.

But beyond that, get ready for months more of waiting with lots of questions and speculation but very few answers.

2 hours ago, JCon said:

Fired, it sounds like. I don't think TSN factors the CFL into these decisions, only the NBA broadcasts. 

If Black was fired, TSN would not give him their Twitter feed to announce he was leaving. What I wonder is if he senses another slashing of staff and is getting out early. Like Cuthbert or Paul Edmonds before him, saw the implosion coming and got out before the axe fell on many. 

2 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

well if this leads to Chris Cuthbert coming back I'm all in.  TSN is shedding people like crazy.  What happened to O'Toole?  Onrait just looks lost now without his buddy.

O’Toole was let go as part of the overall downsizing, but he also had a very public incident where we went on Twitter and basically accused his estranged wife of kidnapping their daughter and putting their life in danger. No charges came from any of it, but his mental health was put into question, and he took a “health leave” shortly thereafter. He then made a big stink on his way out the door about how Bell Media made a big show about “Let’s Talk” day, but was two-faced and insincere when it came to actually backing it up with real people. 

That was the same time Natasha Stanizewski was let go. Details are sketchy but it might have something to do with her continually crashing parties, first with McCain wedges and now as some kind of gambling racket. 
 

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by TrueBlue4ever

So the ticats are getting to host the 2023 AND 2021 grey cup. WHAT THE F^%&!

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by wbbfan

11 minutes ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

 

That was the same time Natasha Stanizewski was let go. Details are sketchy but it might have something to do with her continually crashing parties, first with McCain wedges and now as some king of gambling racket. 
 

I'm afraid that I don't really understand the lingo.  "Crashing parties"?  What are McCain wedges?  

She was on a flight with me back in 2019 from Toronto to Kelowna.  Sat one row behind me.  I was going to say "Hey there Natasha!" while stowing my bag in the overhead but she gave me this look of death before I could say anything so I didn't bother.  LOL

4 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

What an absolutely idiotic article. And a strange analogy, to be sure.

Also: since when is IGF West one of the "best venues" on this continent?

Since it became "IGF West"?

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by wanna-b-fanboy

9 minutes ago, kelownabomberfan said:

I'm afraid that I don't really understand the lingo.  "Crashing parties"?  What are McCain wedges?  

She was on a flight with me back in 2019 from Toronto to Kelowna.  Sat one row behind me.  I was going to say "Hey there Natasha!" while stowing my bag in the overhead but she gave me this look of death before I could say anything so I didn't bother.  LOL

It’s a joke.
 

She did those McCain commercials where she wanted to be invited to watch the big game but did not have an invitation, so would bake McCain wedge fries and then show up at the door plate in hand hoping the food would get her in the door. 

Now she is doing the “Come on!” Gambling site commercials on Sportsnet where everyone is watching TV yelling “Come on!” At the TV screen and then she yells it and they look at her like “who the **** let her in here?”  
 

1 hour ago, Goalie said:

I'm sorry. Rod got fired? Why? I wasn't a huge fan but I'm shocked. Did someone discover racism in his past or his treatment of females? I'm generally curious here 

LOL - yes the long-lost Rod Black John Gruden emails have surfaced...good grief...

40 minutes ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

If Black was fired, TSN would not give him their Twitter feed to announce he was leaving. What I wonder is if he senses another slashing of staff and is getting out early. Like Cuthbert or Paul Edmonds before him, saw the implosion coming and got out before the axe fell on many. 

O’Toole was let go as part of the overall downsizing, but he also had a very public incident where we went on Twitter and basically accused his estranged wife of kidnapping their daughter and putting their life in danger. No charges came from any of it, but his mental health was put into question, and he took a “health leave” shortly thereafter. He then made a big stink on his way out the door about how Bell Media made a big show about “Let’s Talk” day, but was two-faced and insincere when it came to actually backing it up with real people. 

That was the same time Natasha Stanizewski was let go. Details are sketchy but it might have something to do with her continually crashing parties, first with McCain wedges and now as some king of gambling racket. 
 

So pleasing to the eye, but marginal talent. (Not talking about Dan)

51 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

So the ticats are getting to host the 2023 AND 2021 grey cup. WHAT THE F^%&!

Because this year is a bit of a **** show with the COVID regulations, they wanted a "normal" year to host, and were granted it. I don't really have a problem with that. BC or Winnipeg should be 2024, though. Both are next up on the West side of the docket...then likely TO on the East side, if they're still in the league....

11 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Because this year is a bit of a **** show with the COVID regulations, they wanted a "normal" year to host, and were granted it. I don't really have a problem with that. BC or Winnipeg should be 2024, though. Both are next up on the West side of the docket...then likely TO on the East side, if they're still in the league....

Montreal hasnt hosted since 08 and has only hosted twice since 85. Bc hasnt hosted in 7 years. Putting the game in the big o and having the new owners spruce it up a little would be way better. Not to mention itd help jump start their efforts to rebuild the brand. 

Lots of teams lost money last year. Hamilton is one franchise that doesnt have to worry about money. And, its the worst city and stadium in the cfl. 2 grey cups in 3 years only serves to dilute that market for hosting. Its a stupid ass pick. Especially considering the restrictions in the east. 

24 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Montreal hasnt hosted since 08 and has only hosted twice since 85. Bc hasnt hosted in 7 years. Putting the game in the big o and having the new owners spruce it up a little would be way better. Not to mention itd help jump start their efforts to rebuild the brand. 

Lots of teams lost money last year. Hamilton is one franchise that doesnt have to worry about money. And, its the worst city and stadium in the cfl. 2 grey cups in 3 years only serves to dilute that market for hosting. Its a stupid ass pick. Especially considering the restrictions in the east. 

Where would Montreal host it? I think the O is out now, right? 

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

https://leaderpost.com/opinion/opinion-in-canada-a-cfl-malaise-symbolizes-a-nation-thats-lost-its-mojo

What a terrible article. Wow, I mean an all time stinker. 

"On a warm Sunday afternoon in early September, the 2021 game was played in Regina’s beautiful new Mosaic Stadium , one of North America’s best venues."

It goes on to say the rider fan base is the perfect mix of diversity, from gender to race. It paints a picture of the league and country falling apart as the riders lost. As if "canadas team" and their false hope held the league and country together. And it just drones on and on and on. 

What a dumpster fire of an article. 

On 2021-10-12 at 8:44 AM, itchy said:

I'm with others on this one;

- Hands are kind of important to receivers, he wasn't even using it when testing it.

- Not sure how you tape or support those broken bones where they were.

- they never even looked his way after anyways. You don't have anyone else to put out there?

- medical staff should have stepped in the name of safety. I get the player doing whatever they can, but at some point cooler, more educated heads need to step in, just like they do with concussions.

Players played with broken bones & concussions back in the day. They kept playing as they just got their bell rung. Suck it up. The stuff of legends. Tough as nails. Thirty years later they're in a wheelchair or don't recognize their loved ones anymore. The good old days sometimes weren't the good old days. 

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by SpeedFlex27

1 hour ago, JCon said:

Where would Montreal host it? I think the O is out now, right? 

The owners of the big owe are trying to get an NFL game for next year (or at least they were earlier this year) so I don't see why a CFL game isn't possible.

"We're always open for opportunities to host sporting events," Alain Larochelle, vice-president of business development for Olympic Stadium operator Olympic Park, said in a statement. "The Montreal Olympic Stadium has a rich history with North American football, especially with the CFL, the Grey Cup and the Montreal Alouettes, who still hold the record for the largest sport attendance in the history of the stadium.

"We would be very interested in hosting an NFL game and we are eager to show the numerous planned investments and the many possibilities of the Montreal Olympic Stadium to the promoters around the globe."

https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-s-olympic-stadium-expresses-interest-in-hosting-nfl-games-1.1616317  

Montreal's Olympic Stadium is one of the biggest white elephant's in Canadian history

2 hours ago, JCon said:

Where would Montreal host it? I think the O is out now, right? 

big o would still be in play from every thing i understand. 

Anyone here remember the great Don Luzzi? He was a perennial all star DT & OL  in the 50's & 60's. His son who is a friend of mine was telling me in 1968 he was chopped by the Riders OL. One guy stood him up & another chopped him low. He tore his MCL & ACL. He missed the remainder of that game but he put on a brace & they taped him up. Took a bunch of powerful painkillers a teammate would give him & played on it the rest of the 1968 season in pain. Including playoffs & Grey Cup. Never missed a snap. 

5 hours ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

He then made a big stink on his way out the door about how Bell Media made a big show about “Let’s Talk” day, but was two-faced and insincere when it came to actually backing it up with real people. 

To be fair Bell took 123 million in Canada emergency wage subsidy before laying off employees and raising their dividend rate on their stock. Maybe not smart on O'Toole's part, but criticism has definitely been well earned.

42 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

big o would still be in play from every thing i understand. 

Last I heard is there were concerns with the roof supporting a big dumping of snow. Not sure if they worked on the issue the past few years. 

I was at that 2008 Grey Cup and the Big O was in disarray back then. I can't imagine they what state the stadium is in now. 

isn't Montreal splitting MLB games with Tampa next year? Where are they going to do that if not at Big O? 

8 minutes ago, Noeller said:

isn't Montreal splitting MLB games with Tampa next year? Where are they going to do that if not at Big O? 

They want to build a new 35000 seat baseball stadium downtown. They'd use the Big O until the new stadium would be ready. The Als apparently would also be involved. 

6 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

Weird timing.  Just on Monday he was talking about how great the Thanksgiving turkey was that he and Forde were eating during the Montreal game.  And now he's just gone?  What?  In the middle of the season?

Where are the plaudits from his TSN colleagues? He's been there long enough that there should be plenty of tweets of congratulation.

11 minutes ago, Noeller said:

isn't Montreal splitting MLB games with Tampa next year? Where are they going to do that if not at Big O? 

They can use the stadium, just not during the winter.

A quick Google search says the stadium has to close when there is 3 cm of snow on the roof.

They are supposed to be replacing the roof and for it to ready in a couple of years. I don't have a lot of faith in that timeline. Montreal has withdrawn from being considered to host 2026 World Cup games so that removes a deadline for the construction to be completed by.

3 minutes ago, Pete Catan's Ghost said:

Where are the plaudits from his TSN colleagues? He's been there long enough that there should be plenty of tweets of congratulation.

all over Twitter today....an endless barrage of tweets talking about what an incredible person and broadcaster he is. 

4 minutes ago, Pete Catan's Ghost said:

Where are the plaudits from his TSN colleagues? He's been there long enough that there should be plenty of tweets of congratulation.

That's Bell Media. Look what they did to TSN 1290... Just classless. I imagine he was told he was being laid off & they gave him a retirement package or be fired. I never liked Rod as a pbp announcer as I thought his talents were better suited elsewhere. Like he should have hosted the panel on TSN. He would have done agreat job. I never wanted him fired. 

20 minutes ago, Pete Catan's Ghost said:

Where are the plaudits from his TSN colleagues? He's been there long enough that there should be plenty of tweets of congratulation.

There are.