Is this ever a guy we should take a run at? I really like Pokey as a receiver but not sure he's a 1A Superstar guy... Would you ever take a run at Hatcher as your #1 and then have Pokey and Demski as 2/3?

 

 

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

This is the key. Nobody on this board is the target demo because they've already got us for life (bastards...) But how do you get more of the passive fans on board? The guys who kinda watch CFL but mostly watch NFL...? Try some weird **** and see how it goes.

Or you know... build that grass roots base. Make the games an event worth going to... but that kind of thing is hard and takes time. Easier to throw **** at the wall and hope it sticks.

Oh I understand how the rules changes might attract new fans. I was saying what's the evidence that an early season start and new playoff format will attract new fans?

2 hours ago, Noeller said:

This is the key. Nobody on this board is the target demo because they've already got us for life (bastards...) But how do you get more of the passive fans on board? The guys who kinda watch CFL but mostly watch NFL...? Try some weird **** and see how it goes.

Winnipeg, and to an extent Saskatchewan, are good working models on how to engage and retain CFL fans.

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

Or you know... build that grass roots base. Make the games an event worth going to... but that kind of thing is hard and takes time. Easier to throw **** at the wall and hope it sticks.

They have to do both. Something quick to get more revenue hopefully....and copy the bombers approach.

Fun fact....Bombers hosted the 2nd coaching clinic in as many months for free. First was flag football. Today's was tackle. Head coach of the University of Guelph was here along with u of m coaches. All hosting sessions that went over various aspects of the game and best approaches to coaching. It included 2 meals. Met Coach Hull when I got lost in the basement if the Pas looking for the bathroom. Nice guy.

When was the last time you saw major changes changed back? The US expansion when all but 1 team bascally folded and the other got an NFL team? That's not the same thing at all.

4 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Oh I understand how the rules changes might attract new fans. I was saying what's the evidence that an early season start and new playoff format will attract new fans?

What kind of evidence for whether the thing they haven’t done yet working or not are you looking for? Scientific double blind study?

On 2026-05-01 at 9:18 PM, wbbfan said:

I was thinking about how mlb had rocketed up the viewer rankings and dropped their main demographic by about 15 years with the changes in recent years. Do any of the new CFL changes have that kind of chance?

I’m not a fan of most of the changes. Couple good ones here and there. I was only in favor of maybe half of the mlb changes but they have worked out better than any one would’ve believed.

Maybe if they accomplished the goal and have less fgs more going for it on 3rd down and scoring more tds, it could have the same kind of impact.

I really struggle to see most of these changes panning out. But it would be great to be wrong and see the cfl do a fraction of the job mlb has done.

We're the fans the CFL already has & will never lose. They need the 18-35 demographic. Maybe they'll get it.

9 hours ago, blue85gold said:

What kind of evidence for whether the thing they haven’t done yet working or not are you looking for? Scientific double blind study?

For the most part big changes like this would usually be investigated by using them in preseason or taking ideas from other leagues/lower levels that are proven to some extent. MLB rule changes spent years being refined in minor league baseball.

Think the NFL kickoff rules that were basically lifted from the XFL/UFL.

Stew Johnston is basically Frankenstein in this scenario. They gave data on what they think will happen to scoring as a result based on absolutely nothing. They have no idea what the fan tolerance will be. And the fans have no idea what it will even really look like until the games start.

13 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Oh I understand how the rules changes might attract new fans. I was saying what's the evidence that an early season start and new playoff format will attract new fans?

The idea would be to have more summer dates which already do successfully recruit more fans.

I agree with starting in May and having the playoff games earlier. I've been of that opinion for years.

But playing 18 games to eliminate 1 team from the playoffs, just makes no sense whatsoever.

The burning issue is those cities where hardly anyone attends games. 8 teams in the play offs does nothing to address that.

These changes are 'experimental' at best...Only implementing them and a close examination of how things progressed or regressed will give the true picture of success or failure....I'm sure after the 27' season, changes can be made yet again ...The changes that are going to be under scrutiny and deemed to be 'failing' will either be altered or discarded ...Seems to me we will be entering a new phase in CFL operations ..Successful or not fans will have to get used to adjusting to these changes ....I've been around the league for a long time and found that 'major change' is very hard to accept for some.... I'm predicting this may very will be a 'make it' or 'break it' for the league.... time will tell...I just hope to hell the powers that be no what they're doing

Now when Canadians are as patriotic as they have ever been would be a good time for a fun marketing campaign regarding the CFL.

Lego video of cfl teams. Man they missing the boat here. I can see the commercial I just can’t put it together and trust me the kids would love it. Now is the time with I AM CANADIAN actually mattering again. Heck have that dude narrate it. I’m unsure but use people like beiber and reynolds and gosling to promote it even. Gosling is like the most popular actor around. He’s a ******* Canadian. Use him.

Change rules or whatever else, that’s a fun original XFL gimmick but you gotta promote the damn league.

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by Goalie

21 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

When was the last time you saw major changes changed back? The US expansion when all but 1 team bascally folded and the other got an NFL team? That's not the same thing at all.

These uniforms lasted 1 game :D

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

These uniforms lasted 1 game :D

IMO: not as ugly in retrospect