What should the CFL do in the future to remain viable?

Question

Finally...And I know this is a hugely unpopular idea for Canadian fans after how the league was treated by owners, fans, and management in several of the US expansion cities, but a tiny bit of US expansion IS a good idea.

The CFL business model is based on 25k stadiums. Those are a ton easier to find or finance in the US.

The US media markets would dramatically expand the market for the CFL.

All you really have to do it keep the US representation small and in areas with large Canadian presences.

Put a team in NY and a team in Chicago. That right there expands CFL TV by 40%.

Both cities are underrepresented by college and pro football teams. Chicago is a huge city to only have the bears. You could put the Chicago team in Evansville. Northwestern has great facitilies and is wealthy, but has always sucked at football.

You could probably work a deal to play at West Point in NY. Having a lot of bored military around always helps attendance. Barring that, you could

Answer 1

I agree with Tomjc43. It's fine as is.

Answer 2

Two things. Remember I am not Canadian but I want Canadian football to remain viable.

1. I think that the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) should promote, expand, and facilitate the development of the Canadian code of football. In the US, college sports are propped up in a lot of ways by donor contributions. Basically bring in the money, start the program (even at small colleges), develop Canadian players (youth camps).

2. Maybe in the model of English soccer, each (CFL) club should have a youth academy. Find the players (scouting for potential) at the grade 6 or 7 level and bring them to the big city. Have them live and breathe the game. Even if they don't play for the team that trained them, being able to sell a well trained player to another club can be a windfall for a finacially strapped club.

Answer 3

Maintain the quotas by nationality, but create a separate roster spot for a Canadian QB so they have the chance to develop. They're as athletically gifted as American QBs, and arguably smarter, since they actually have to be real students to attend university in Canada, but the football is far less intense.

Answer 4

Keep doing what it's doing. It is over the hump and as a salary cap league with financially strong teams it will survive and prosper.

Answer 5

it is fine how it is, its survived for decades as is, the american teams couldn't cut it,   why change something that works?