Why does the CFL season start so late? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HotHotHeat · 03-14-2008, 06:00 PM

This was brought up in a conversation I had with a friend today.

Why does the CFL season begin in late June/early July, and end end a week before december?

The weather across Canada would enable training camp to start in April, then begin the regular season in May. Or even May-June...But July?

What would make them think Canada's 'summer sport' shouldn't start until the height of the summer season? Why not start earlier and have the Grey Cup on Thanksgiving weekend? It just seems to me that it's bad decision making. I know the NHL playoffs are on the mind of Canadians at this time of year, but what's a few Saturday/Sunday afternoon games? I don't see them being too affected by the NHL anyways.

Just a thought.

Flames in 07 · 03-14-2008, 06:08 PM

My guess is that ratings in general are better in the fall than the summer. You're right, given our climate it belongs in the May - Sept timeframe, or in domes with removeable roofs, one of the two.

Sainters7 · 03-14-2008, 08:02 PM

I think you hit the nail on the head, I bet it's got to do with the NHL playoffs. This isn't a two, three or more sport country like the U.S., here it's hockey and everything else is a far, far second. The CFL usually starts only a couple weeks after the Stanley Cup's been awarded, I'm sure that's no coincidence.

Julio · 03-15-2008, 12:16 AM

I think it might be something as simple as that the Grey Cup has always been a mid November event, and then you count back form that. The Grey Cup timing is probably from when the season didn't start until Labour Day or so,similar to when the CIS regular season starts now.

Circa89 · 03-15-2008, 12:32 AM

I would with have to agree Julio. Tradition. The Grey Cup has been awarded in November for close to 100 years so why go a changing? It would make more sense to have games played in June rather than November. This is a Gate driven league correct? I know I would rather attend a game when it is 20 above opposed to when its 20 below. Change is tough for some people especially if those people are Torontonians.

Bench Warmer · 03-15-2008, 01:49 PM

As well, traditionally, the crowds get consistently bigger for most teams after the Labour Day weekend. Better to have 9 games after LD than just a couple. Plus, with lots of other things going on for folks in the summer, it's hard to get big crowds. When school kicks in and summer vacationing is over around Labour Day, more people tend to go out to the games - particularly when they mean more as the season ends.

Cowboy89 · 03-17-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Circa89

I would with have to agree Julio. Tradition. The Grey Cup has been awarded in November for close to 100 years so why go a changing? It would make more sense to have games played in June rather than November. This is a Gate driven league correct? I know I would rather attend a game when it is 20 above opposed to when its 20 below. Change is tough for some people especially if those people are Torontonians.

Personally if you're hosting a team coached by Wally Buono, it's better off to play when it's -20 anyway so I don't mind.

troutman · 03-17-2008, 02:53 PM

I think the CFL should:

1) Start one month earlier - hold the Grey Cup by Halloween

2) Only play on weeknights until September

3) No games on Sunday once NFL starts - go with Friday/Saturday nights

Slava · 03-19-2008, 08:29 PM

I agree with you here trout...and not only should they not play on Sundays they should pick a night and do all of the games on that night. Friday night football works so well in Canada in the fall!

worth · 03-19-2008, 08:45 PM

I disagree. I don't have a problem with Sunday games. The CFL always does well against the NFL in ratings. I don't think there is an issue there...only the fact that TSN wants to show both so they want the CFL to move to Saturday games only.

Playing 4 games in one night is a bit rediculious. Right now all games are televised. In order to do that you'd have to play only on Weekends and from 11am or noon until 10pm.

And if you want to play games at the same time, that doesn't make sense to me. Don't need to do this at all.

ken0042 · 03-20-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

I disagree. I don't have a problem with Sunday games. The CFL always does well against the NFL in ratings. I don't think there is an issue there...only the fact that TSN wants to show both so they want the CFL to move to Saturday games only.

The CFL does do well, but why go head to head with a competator if you don't have to? Sunday afternoons I'm watching football; and unless its a big game it will be NFL. Move that CFL game to a Saturday afternoon, and I'm all over it.

And I'm curious to know how you figure TSN wanting to show both that they want Saturday games. I don't recall ever seeing an NFL game on TSN on a Sunday afternoon. I can see them wanting the games on Saturday because they aren't competing against another channel.

worth · 03-20-2008, 08:16 AM

Sorry, you misunderstood me. I meant that TSN wants to show both the NFL and CFL games, so they would rather show CFL games on Saturday and NFL games on Sunday, not move both to Saturday.

I have also heard rumblings about wanting to move the Grey Cup to Saturday. I'm no CFL historian, but when was the last time the Grey Cup was played on a Saturday. Some things I don't think should be messed with. And when you have a league with rich history like the CFL you need to keep some of these thing sin tact. Playing more Saturday games during the regular season I don't really have much of a problem, but I don't want to see all games moved to Saturday.

In any event, no matter what day their on i'll watch.