2018-19 Stamps and CFL off-season thread

[tvp2003]

Ambrosie presented to a large group of STH'ers today, as part of his "Randy's Roadtrip" caravan across CFL cities. He was very articulate and optimistic of trying to grow and tap the international sports market (similar to the NBA) through player development and TV deals (he hinted that a TV deal in Mexico could come next week). Also talked about grass roots development and getting more youth in Canada playing football. Overall was very impressed by his overall vision; he seems to be a good mix of practical "let's fix it" to strategic "let's build it".

Was also optimistic about CBA talks and trying to grow the league so that everyone (including the players) can benefit; apparently the players have given notice that they are ready to open bargaining in early March.

Was also somewhat skeptical about the AAF but did not have anything bad to say other than the CFL has seen leagues come and go in the past. Did mention the news about the AAF having potential issues paying players after week 1.

[dash_pinched]

Ciante Evans signed with Salt Lake of the AAF - Who knows if the league will still be operating by the time Stamps training camp rolls around?

Defensive back Ciante Evans has signed with the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football league, per sources.

Evans played four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, suiting up in 48 games making 127 tackles, nine interceptions and three forced fumbles. The 26-year-old was a CFL all-star in 2017 and West Division all-star in 2018.

https://3downnation.com/2019/02/19/f...with-aaf-team/

[tvp2003]

Is Ciante the first "legitimate" CFL player to jump ship to the AAF? And is there anything preventing someone from signing with an AAF team and then joining the CFL after the season ends in April? I believe that players were free to go to the NFL; I'm guessing the same rules don't apply to the CFL (although whether they could or would be enforced is another story)?

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Rumours out there suggest that Ciante Evans was looking to sign with an AAF team - With the league already on financial life support, hopefully that means Ciante will be inking a deal with the Stamps in short order.

Please pardon my ignorance, isn't this league AAF just started, and they already in financial life support?

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Please pardon my ignorance, isn't this league AAF just started, and they already in financial life support?

Yeah, there are reports that they're having trouble making payroll and even getting insurance for some teams to practice. Let's just say that they're off to a rocky start.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Please pardon my ignorance, isn't this league AAF just started, and they already in financial life support?

Ciante might just be thinking 'may as well get a couple extra game cheques before this thing folds in week five'.

The notion that the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes has $250M just sitting around to rescue this league doesn't pass the smell test either.

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Ambrosie presented to a large group of STH'ers today, as part of his "Randy's Roadtrip" caravan across CFL cities. He was very articulate and optimistic of trying to grow and tap the international sports market (similar to the NBA) through player development and TV deals (he hinted that a TV deal in Mexico could come next week). Also talked about grass roots development and getting more youth in Canada playing football. Overall was very impressed by his overall vision; he seems to be a good mix of practical "let's fix it" to strategic "let's build it".

Was also optimistic about CBA talks and trying to grow the league so that everyone (including the players) can benefit; apparently the players have given notice that they are ready to open bargaining in early March.

Was also somewhat skeptical about the AAF but did not have anything bad to say other than the CFL has seen leagues come and go in the past. Did mention the news about the AAF having potential issues paying players after week 1.

That's for this, I wanted to go but went to work instead. How was the food?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

That's for this, I wanted to go but went to work instead. How was the food?

I thought the food was pretty decent — it was in the Chrysler club and there were probably 30-40 tables in total with assigned seating. Buffet style with BBQ beef, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and a few salads. Comparable to Flames STH events, but this is the first time I’ve ever been to something like this as a Stamps STH.

Ken King, John Bean, John Hufnagel and a few older fellas sat at the VIP table up front, and Mark Stephen was the emcee. Huff had a funny line about how he said he was confident about re-signing Bo, and how he wished that was actually true when he said it. Ambrosie followed that with a 10-15 minute presentation (including a few slides) that came off as very polished, followed by a fan Q&A which the Stamps uploaded here: https://www.stampeders.com/2019/02/1...andy-ambrosie/

[lambeburger]

2020 Grey Cup in Regina, 2021 Grey Cup in Hamilton:

https://www.tsn.ca/regina-hamilton-a...imes-1.1261565

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Wow. Hamilton hasn’t hosted since 1996.

[Dube]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Wow. Hamilton hasn’t hosted since 1996.

They recently got a new barn didn’t they?

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Dube

They recently got a new barn didn’t they?

http://bfy.tw/MRM1

[Drake]

According to 3DN, Ambrosie and TSN are looking at moving the division and semi final games to Saturday.#

[Julio]

Originally Posted by Drake

According to 3DN, Ambrosie and TSN are looking at moving the division and semi final games to Saturday.#

Not a bad idea...would probably be more likely to get the games on in the States,,,
In the 70's there was one playoff game on Saturday and one on Sunday, so it's not totally without precident.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Julio

Not a bad idea...would probably be more likely to get the games on in the States,,,
In the 70's there was one playoff game on Saturday and one on Sunday, so it's not totally without precident.

They shouldn't have any games on Sunday once the NFL hits. Would it affect attendance that much?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Drake

According to 3DN, Ambrosie and TSN are looking at moving the division and semi final games to Saturday.#

That is certainly one disappointing thing about the CFL -- divisional playoff games don't get the attendance support, often because of the weather, but also because they are competing against the NFL and NHL. Moving them to Saturday afternoon would be a smart move IMO...

[Joborule]

Moving it to Saturday's is a shrewd move.

[Scorch]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Moving it to Saturday's is a shrewd move.

How so?

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Moving it to Saturday's is a shrewd move.

I don’t like Saturdays. I like the Sunday double headers.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Scorch

How so?

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I don’t like Saturdays. I like the Sunday double headers.

It's better to avoid competing against NFL games to gain more viewership from the casual Canadian market. Doing Saturday afternoon games that can wrap up before HNIC should be a net positive in TV ratings.