Is a CFL-NFL merger coming in the future?

[Einstein]

I found it interesting that the CFL announced many changes today that essentially makes their game more similar to the NFL.

 

Shrunk their field to 100 yards. Moved goalposts to the back of the endzone. Shrunk the endzone to make them closer to NFL size. Changed the play clock from 20 seconds to 35 seconds. etc

 

Conspiracy theory without any evidence: They are getting people ready for full NFL fields and rules when the leagues merge at some point in the next decade.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/the-cfl-will-shrink-its-field-from-110-yards-to-100-among-other-changes

[WotAGuy]

The GNP of Canada isn’t enough to pay all the franchise fees they would charge those teams. 
 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by WotAGuy

[Victory Formation]

That’s very interesting, thanks for posting. I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, myself.

[LEBills]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

I found it interesting that the CFL announced many changes today that essentially makes their game more similar to the NFL.

 

Shrunk their field to 100 yards. Moved goalposts to the back of the endzone. Shrunk the endzone to make them closer to NFL size. Changed the play clock from 20 seconds to 35 seconds. etc

 

Conspiracy theory without any evidence: They are getting people ready for full NFL fields and rules when the leagues merge at some point in the next decade.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/the-cfl-will-shrink-its-field-from-110-yards-to-100-among-other-changes

Doubt the NFL would be interested. Probably more profitable to grant an expansion team to Toronto and Vancouver and collect the associated fees.

 

IMO they are trying to have it look more like American Football so more Americans will want to watch it on TV.

[Low Positive]

Come back to me when they add a 4th down.

[Einstein]

2 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

That’s very interesting, thanks for posting. I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, myself.

 

Thanks. I think a lot of people missed this news today.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

Come back to me when they add a 4th down.

The theory is that they are slow-walking the changes to get Canadian fans acclimated and the 4th down will be next.

 

 

[Victory Formation]

Just now, Einstein said:

Thanks. I think a lot of people missed this news today.

The only potential problem that I have with this Einstein is, would a team in Toronto take away fans from our fan base? Buffalo is pretty much Canada’s team..

[Dr. Who]

2 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

Thanks. I think a lot of people missed this news today.

 

 

The theory is that they are slow-walking the changes to get Canadian fans acclimated and the 4th down will be next.

 

 

After that, it will be gratuitous calls for the Kansas City Chiefs.

[Einstein]

4 minutes ago, LEBills said:

Doubt the NFL would be interested. Probably more profitable to grant an expansion team to Toronto and Vancouver and collect the associated fees.

 

I’m not sure I agree.

 

1) If you just add expansion teams, you would have to build all new stadiums. What new franchise owner wants to fork over a couple billion to do that? And no way the local governments will hand over money to compete against a Canadian league.

 

2) You will have people who feel they need to chose between CFL and NFL. Not to mention TV contracts. Merge the league and there is no other option.

[GASabresIUFan]

Maybe the CFL becomes an NFL minor league after merging with the spring football league (whatever it is called this year).  

Edited 1 hour ago by GASabresIUFan

[LEBills]

3 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

I’m not sure I agree.

 

1) If you just add expansion teams, you would have to build all new stadiums. What new franchise owner wants to fork over a couple billion to do that? And no way the local governments will hand over money to compete against a Canadian league.

 

2) You will have people who feel they need to chose between CFL and NFL. Not to mention TV contracts. Merge the league and there is no other option.

NFL basically insists on new stadiums as that increases the NFLs valuation. Either an owner has deep enough pockets to build a new stadium on their own or they would need public funds. If they don’t get either I doubt they would get a team.

 

I don’t think the NFL is worried about people choosing the CFL over them or the TV contract money going to the CFL over them haha. CFL is more likely to fold than to be merged into the NFL imo.

[GASabresIUFan]

I hear Bon Jovi wants the TOR franchise.

[Low Positive]

2 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

Thanks. I think a lot of people missed this news today.

 

 

The theory is that they are slow-walking the changes to get Canadian fans acclimated and the 4th down will be next.

 

 

No need. The NFL has higher ratings in Canada than the CFL. They already chose the NFL. Imagine the Dallas Cowboys flying up to Regina for a Sunday Night game against the Roughriders. Not gonna happen.

[Roundybout]

That sucks. Keep the goofy football goofy. 

[Big Turk]

No. It would dilute the product way too much. Not even enough good players as there are, now we are going to add another 400+ players?? 

[Low Positive]

They have problems supporting NHL teams, and their salary cap will buy you a QB and a LB in the NFL. 

[James Can Cook]

Only if we can become the Buffalo Rough Riders.

[Old Coot]

Still 13 to a side? and can receivers still get a running start up to the line?

 

Years ago I read an article that the MLB teams in Canada were at a disadvantage because their player expenses to be competitive with American MLB teams had to match dollars US but in Canadian while their income from attendance was in dollars CA.

 

That migh be different today especially with all trams sharing equally in TV dollars.

 

Your thoughts, eh?

[BigDingus]

I'm of the belief that an NFL team can basically succeed anywhere in North America. 

 

You could put an NFL team in Louisville, Salt Lake City, Omaha, wherever and it would still sell out every game & get better ratings than any NBA, MLB or NHL game.

 

They make most of their money through TV contracts these days, so all you need is a billionaire owner & someone to invest in a stadium (obviously, market size limits the potential for merch & other sales that owners can profit from).

 

And Canada offers a few sizeable markets bigger than plenty of existing teams. CFL teams don't have NFL level venues or talent, so they'd have to accept diluting the talent pool.

 

Also, CFL teams could eat into current fan bases (Buffalo, Seattle & Detroit probably all have sizeable Canadian followings), but it also has the potential to grow the league.

 

Places like Texas could certainly carry more teams just fine, but Jerry has prevented that from happening. But other big metro areas outside the US include:

 

- Mexico City (1st largest)

- Toronto (7th largest)

- Monterey (13th largest)

- Montreal (19th largest - bigger than San Francisco)

- Vancouver (28th largest - bigger than Denver, Baltimore, Vegas, etc)

 

So if the NFL wanted to go international, they could add 4 teams + 4 other expansion teams within the US, either from cities they abandoned (like Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, etc) or go to new areas (like San Antonio).

 

But I doubt there would be a real "merger" with CFL since they're just not big enough. 

[Nephilim17]

If you think it was hard enough pre-Josh getting star players to play for Buffalo because of the weather and lack of nightlife, just try selling them on Winnipeg (-58 °F during cold snaps in the winter) or Saskatchewan. Nothing else is like living it up like Saskatchewan on the weekend.