[browna]

TSN basically funded the CSL back post 1986. Clubs were mismanged of course too in the 5 year run, and TSN itself was a lot different, but why got burned there too.

But the mismanagement of broadcast networks happened long ago by the CSA, pretty much after the failed 1994 WC. The same hubris and political CSA infighting that made the MNT increasingly crippled with players chosen because of politics, coaching decisions based on factions within the CSA for or against said coach, for years, also trickled down to the way the CSA mismanged alienating sponsors and broadcast partners through unreasonable demands (talking late 90s, never really to recover). I don't really recall any of the Canada games on TSN after 1994, where they went the all way to Australia to cover the playoff. 1998 the WC qualifying was brief. SNet picked up the MNT when they started as a network in early 2000s, but even the famous Gold Cup win was announced from studios here, as were any international games.

Networks put out production costs for events or leagues when they know they'll get advertisers to cover the costs of said production. CSA wanted a fee per year too, just because.
Advertisers pay rates to the broadcaters based on general viewership. If no advertisers want to pay the rates the networks need to cover costs, there is no broadcast. Again, add to this the CSA wanting a peice of the action too as an annual fee, and it's a no go.

Of course, multiple factors at play, the MNT wasn't great because because the CSA mismanaged internal finances for decades and the team had a lack of basic needs, and of training, facilities etc., nevermind the internal politics interfering with coaches and players. Not a great team means less viewers, means less advertisers, and thus, no networks wanting to bleed money on production costs, especially when they travel out of country for some games.

Pro lacrosse, national basketball teams, even major junior hockey, the overall viewership demand isn't there for networks to produce, or pay producers, to cover events because sponsors aren't plentiful enoigh. The PWHL is getting propped up severely by major national sponsors in promoting the women's game. It's a first year season but the PWHL, so will see how it looks longer term, but PWHL ownership also works with broadcast partners, where the CSA, again, 20+ years ago, didn't work in partnership with broadcasters and expected them to pay them fees, for no return on the broadcasters money.
We will see how the Women's Pro League will be handled Ina couple years from now.

But, there's a reason, finally, after 30+ years of mismanaging the business side, and media wise, the 15 member CSA board finally had the sense, or desperation, to pass off the business side to some (opportunistic) 3rd party business people (with the 2026 WC months away from being announced) to separate it from the CSA toxicity. It's a shame though the incompetentance continued to the end and the CSA took any deal that was given to them, and made a terrible one with the CSB for a fixed, and mildly escalating (inflation) allowance for 10 years, severely limiting the potential revenue upside and growth that a 2026 WC hosting would provide to all aspects of the CSA on the backs of their own National teams, nevermind the shock 2022 qualifying.