https://3downnation.com/2026/01/14/cfl-sets-start-of-2026-season-as-self-imposed-deadline-for-new-broadcast-deal/

Well, same ****, different year. The CFL screwed itself 100 times over by going to a single game provider in 2008. The other networks basically said, Eff You. Now, they're stuck with a shitty provider who chronically underpays because they can do what they want. And a former TSN president negotiating with his old company?? What good can come from that?

The problem is you're making the CFL less accessible to fans by putting games on an obscure platform... it's a risk and sure they get a big payout now but what if that doesn't last?

My opinion the biggest thing the cfl needs is a grass roots effort to get support in all cities. Until they do that the league will always be on the brink of disaster.

2 hours ago, 17to85 said:

You know what i would love to see? And option to buy just cfl games ans then I could watch cfl and only cfl on whatever streaming service had that particular game.

The CFL could easily do this. This is exactly what the NFL does and holds it out as a separate product.

In general the inevitability here is the CFL being pressured to be a spring league as a TV property. And that kind of kills the existing business.

It’s the typical CFL story of chasing the sugar high unsustainably.

Skalbania, McNall, US expansion….

3 hours ago, Noeller said:

Actually one of the interesting things I read yesterday is the subscription fee for CFL on DAZN hasn't been set yet. It's not a given that you have to purchase their whole package, containing NFL, Soccer, etc... it's a very real possibility that there will be a cheaper "CFL Only" option. So we shall see... If it was like 5-10 bucks/month for just the CFL, then I might... Just to support the league and see what their product looks like.

There was a hint from Darren Cameron on the Handled Internally podcast yesterday that Wade is cooking something up for season ticket members. No details available but it was mentioned around the 9 minute mark of the podcast.

3 hours ago, Noeller said:

I can't share the link, but Luke Willson is all kinds of mad at us long time CFL fans.... Aka "potatoes" (... apparently....)

Lack of talent and charisma forces the guy into being a "jerk" to get any sort of attention. I read his post which was complete nonsense. I'd like to think the majority of CFL fans who watch on tv are part of the older demographics who do not engage in online trolling.

1 hour ago, Goalie said:

Also. Why is it hard to believe right now that we would maybe be trying the international route instead of the USA route right now? Is anyone paying attention to what’s going on there like at all? Canada as a whole is distancing ourselves from the USA.

I’ll bet cfl plus numbers showed a large number of international fans were watching.

Soooo the league is changing the rules and field because of International fans or because they are moving towards catering to an American fan......

20 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Lack of talent and charisma forces the guy into being a "jerk" to get any sort of attention. I read his post which was complete nonsense. I'd like to think the majority of CFL fans who watch on tv are part of the older demographics who do not engage in online trolling.

Soooo the league is changing the rules and field because of International fans or because they are moving towards catering to an American fan......

The sad thing is I think the league feels like rule changes will have a positive impact on their fanbase within Canada too.

2 hours ago, 17to85 said:

The problem is you're making the CFL less accessible to fans by putting games on an obscure platform... it's a risk and sure they get a big payout now but what if that doesn't last?

My opinion the biggest thing the cfl needs is a grass roots effort to get support in all cities. Until they do that the league will always be on the brink of disaster.

Tbh, the move to tsn wasn't very different. Now, not every game was televised back then. But a lot of people said the same about CBC, at that point too they were on sportsnet and tsn and cbc.

as far as the TV deal goes, 0 fault for the league from me. They get to keep TSN money AND add this crazy amount from DAZN? For a league where half the teams are on the verge every single year, its too good to pass up.

Im sure the next TSN deal won't be as big, but the combination at that point of both will be silly. Not to mention if the games do well on DAZN, imagine the future growth potential if they want more games or exclusive broadcast rights.

The rule changes, are awful for the most part. A couple, like the time changes are good. I hope the league sees this and makes changes/moves back to OG rules quickly.

On that note, with the DAZN deal, the league won't be wanting to have a strong negative reaction from fans or too much inconsistency on the field for the first year. I could see them pushing some of the changes back further to have a better debut. You never get to make a 2nd first impression.

2 hours ago, coach17 said:

Sounds like something they may consider just to get some new people subscribing, much like TSN does with TSN+. You can watch all of TSN CFL games with some enhancements, minus the pregame stuff plus a couple of other sporting events for only $8.00 per month rather than the regular $29.95 to get all of TSN. For me it works perfectly because I'm not really interested in any of the other TSN programing.

I only watch tsn for cfl if I being honest

3 hours ago, Goalie said:

So if I’m reading this correctly people who already prob pay for Amazon or Netflix (I do that) are upset cfl games are on another service they don’t currently pay for? Cool story.

You can’t want change and for the cfl to be successful long term when you old geezers ;) die out then complain when they do things. Thats crazy talk. Thats not in my backyard stadium talk. This is what is needed and who is to say this will fail, maybe the cfl plus numbers suggest more international fans are watching than people think.

Also. Why is it hard to believe right now that we would maybe be trying the international route instead of the USA route right now? Is anyone paying attention to what’s going on there like at all? Canada as a whole is distancing ourselves from the USA.

I’ll bet cfl plus numbers showed a large number of international fans were watching.

I dont think you are far off the mark. International views occur as I know many over seas who view it

Also I know Brandon Collier who runs PPI Recruits in Europe uses it for a ways to get guys to be exposed to CFL ball and show there is a pro option outside of the NFL

I would also assume global players who have families outside n.america would be using this to watch games