Was the US expansion of the CFL wrong, or did it just fail?

Question

I've heard one of the local radio guys suggest that the US expansion in the early 90s almost succeeded inspite of itself. Curious on other people's thoughts...and given the choice, I'm hoping for logical answers on the business as opposed to a border skirmish type denouncing the Americans.

Answer 1

It was destined to fail.

Answer 2

It failed. The NFL is the most successful, best-run league in the world, and it is THE major sport here in the U.S. now. I don't think it was wrong to expand to the U.S. though. Baltimore is a great football city, they had been starved for football for a decade, and the CFL saw an opportunity there. Unfortunately, it was really only a case of Baltimore "settling" for the CFL, and when the orginal Cleveland Browns decided to relocate, it was an easy choice.

I don't think that the CFL would be successful here, with it's different style, different rules, and not to be disrepectful, inferior talent. If you look at the CFL, Ricky Ray is the top QB,and he failed to catch on as a third-stringer with the Jets.

By contrast, I live near the Canadian border, and know that Canadians,in general are huge fans of the NFL, and have a huge fan base, betting, and even Super Bowl parties. I think that the NFL would be hugely successful in a city like Toronto, but as I believe that the CFL should remain Canadian, the NFL should stay within U.S. borders, as do the vast majority of Americans.

Answer 3

I think the Baltimore franchise was popular due to the situation with the Colts at the time. They were the only US CFL team that had a consistent following. The import rule could not be enforced in the US for obvious reasons, so the US teams would always have an advantage. If the import rule was dropped completely, then there would be hardly any Canadian players left. Without the players who come up through high school, junior and university teams in Canada, it wouldn't really be the Canadian Football League. In the end, I think the CFL is better off being THE pro football league in the Dominion, rather than a minor league operation in a bigger pond.

Answer 4

Wrong would be the answer.  A case in point.  Baltimore had the most successful franchise, winning the Grey Cup.  The were wildly popular with the fans in Baltimore and had great attendance numbers.  Then came the Ravens.  The Stallions bailed for Montreal so fast it was incredible.  Impossible to compete with the NFL, and if they had a success in an American city, it would be duly noted by the NFL for future expansion.  It is Canadian, and Canada is where it should stay.

Answer 5

it was doomed to fail....i wish it succeded..but you cant survive going head to head with nfl and ncaa....

Answer 6

The fact that there was an attempt of expanding into an american market was clever but I believe its was bad managemnet by the CFL.

If you are going to bring a product onto the market that people are used to seeing already (NFL) but change it a lil, its got to be 10 times better for it to survive. In the CFL's case they could not appeal to millions with their fast paced game.

Americans are used to their NFL/College 4-down style of football and I dont think that they were ready embrace it. Also look at it from the other points The NFL is a billion dollar league that operates and runs solely for the american people. Other leagues tried such as the XFL and some smaller leagues. Let's look at who has survived... only Arena Football.

I personally dont think that it was a good idea for the CFL to have expanded into the US... rather they should of looked to secure their canadian markets i.e. (Victoria, Halifax, St. John's)... They needed to build around the country to form that regional claim to each team.

If you can't build a product in your own home why try elsewhere. Will you be successful?