The Canadian Premier League thread

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Big announcement from the league coming at 9 am tomorrow.

I may be shooting too high, but I really hope TSN just decided to pick it up as they seem to be willing to pick up Canadian sports and make them accessible to Canadians, where Sportsnet purely goes for ratings.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I may be shooting too high, but I really hope TSN just decided to pick it up as they seem to be willing to pick up Canadian sports and make them accessible to Canadians, where Sportsnet purely goes for ratings.

TSN would be my guess, as they have a few holes to fill in this post-NHL, post-Champions League, and soon to be post-Premier League era.

Suppose TSN is involved somehow and they show x games per week on their main channels, I hope that the remainder of the matches are streamed on TSN Go or another platform. Enabling fans to follow their teams while away from home will be key.

Semi-related: I wonder if there will be a local radio broadcaster for Cavalry? Or maybe an club-produced audio stream?

I would always choose TV over radio, but I must admit that I do enjoy the odd radio game for the Flames if I’m driving somewhere.

[shermanator]

Sounds like it's not a broadcast deal after all, but rather the start of the schedule, and a major corporate sponsor. Doesn't mean there isn't a broadcast deal in the works (Clanachan talked about that in the recent interview), but it just won't be announced today.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

TSN would be my guess, as they have a few holes to fill in this post-NHL, post-Champions League, and soon to be post-Premier League era.

They haven't had NHL for years, while Champions League and EPL are mostly played early in the morning. CPL won't be having 7:30 AM starts, so the new league doesn't actually fill any current gaps. If anything, it would have to fight CFL, MLS, NASCAR, NBA and NHL regional coverage (depending on season start/end dates) for airtime.

Though if the CPL could even get just a game of the week type agreement with either TSN or Sportsnet, it would be a big boon.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

They haven't had NHL for years, while Champions League and EPL are mostly played early in the morning. CPL won't be having 7:30 AM starts, so the new league doesn't actually fill any current gaps. If anything, it would have to fight CFL, MLS, NASCAR, NBA and NHL regional coverage (depending on season start/end dates) for airtime.

Though if the CPL could even get just a game of the week type agreement with either TSN or Sportsnet, it would be a big boon.

Unfortunately you're right. You would just think that with 10 (?) channels among them that TSN/Sportsnet could squeeze in CPL somewhere. I realise it's a bit unlikely, but surely they could take one channel where they're just showing reruns of the misplays of the month, or instead of showing the Eskimos vs. Blue Bombers on 4 channels that could show a soccer game. Or maybe instead of a 3 hour blank screen saying that this regional game isn't available in your area they could actually show something.

Anyway....you're sadly correct I think.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

They haven't had NHL for years, while Champions League and EPL are mostly played early in the morning. CPL won't be having 7:30 AM starts, so the new league doesn't actually fill any current gaps. If anything, it would have to fight CFL, MLS, NASCAR, NBA and NHL regional coverage (depending on season start/end dates) for airtime.

Though if the CPL could even get just a game of the week type agreement with either TSN or Sportsnet, it would be a big boon.

Well not literal gaps in the schedule, but gaps in terms of rights that they've lost over the years. With 5 channels, a streaming platform, etc. they've got enough capacity to take on something like this and could probably still put a lumberjack contest on TSN5 is anyone actually watches those.

They lost NHL years ago, but it is still relevant because Sportsnet is all-in on hockey, and I personally can't see them taking on CanPL.

[Jimmy Stang]

Well, Volkswagen as a major sponsor. Not the tasty broadcast stuff I was hoping for, but still a good step.

And an opening date of April 27th in Hamilton with Forge vs. York9.

[shermanator]

CPL sure are talking up the Forge / York 9 rivalry as the best in the league. That's cute...

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by shermanator

CPL sure are talking up the Forge / York 9 rivalry as the best in the league. That's cute...

Sherm, if you can organize street fights with the Edmonton ultras then we will have the best rivalry in the league...

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by shermanator

CPL sure are talking up the Forge / York 9 rivalry as the best in the league. That's cute...

Not to mention that Toronto FC plays the same day at 1pm (the CanPL match in Hamilton starts at 3).

I'm not saying that the CanPL has to tiptoe around the MLS, but that seems a bit of an odd choice. There may not be a massive overlap of the hardcore supporters of each, but there is certainly an overlap among the larger Canadian soccer observer.

Or... and I'm just speculating here, it is a stroke of genius that will become clear when the broadcast deal is announced: TSN double-header with the hopes that the TFC TV audience will stick around for the CanPL debut. After all, the turnstiles are important, but a big TV debut right after a TFC match would be good for TV numbers.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Sherm, if you can organize street fights with the Edmonton ultras then we will have the best rivalry in the league...

Anyone stupid enough to refer to themselves as "ultras" likely needs no help starting fights.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Anyone stupid enough to refer to themselves as "ultras" likely needs no help starting fights.

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Sherm, if you can organize street fights with the Edmonton ultras then we will have the best rivalry in the league...

Of course, street fights at Spruce Meadows would take place on brick pathways and spill over into the International Ring. Think of the opportunities with water hazards, poles from jumps, manure, and an assortment of tack from the stables repurposed as weapons.

[Thunderball]

Seems like a given that VW is sponsoring York9 or Forge. Good solid league sponsor though.

Any rumor on Cavalry? Or can we expect ATCO on our kits come April.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Seems like a given that VW is sponsoring York9 or Forge. Good solid league sponsor though.

Any rumor on Cavalry? Or can we expect ATCO on our kits come April.

Yeah, I'd assume that VW has one of the Ontario teams. With no inside knowledge I'm guessing Westjet for Cavalry FC. As a Calgary based company that operates across Canada it would be a good fit.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Sherm, if you can organize street fights with the Edmonton ultras then we will have the best rivalry in the league...

At Spruce Meadows? Please! My butler will organize the fights...

"You're American"
"THEN WHY DO I LOVE SOCCER?"

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

Yeah, I'd assume that VW has one of the Ontario teams. With no inside knowledge I'm guessing Westjet for Cavalry FC. As a Calgary based company that operates across Canada it would be a good fit.

Westjet would be a great fit for the team. Them, Shaw, Telus or someone like that make sense.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Of course, street fights at Spruce Meadows would take place on brick pathways and spill over into the International Ring. Think of the opportunities with water hazards, poles from jumps, manure, and an assortment of tack from the stables repurposed as weapons.

Street fights? Why not jousts!

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

Yeah, I'd assume that VW has one of the Ontario teams. With no inside knowledge I'm guessing Westjet for Cavalry FC. As a Calgary based company that operates across Canada it would be a good fit.

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Westjet would be a great fit for the team. Them, Shaw, Telus or someone like that make sense.

It would be great if WestJet or even Air Canada could become involved as a league-wide sponsor (maybe even in addition to being Cavalry's kit sponsor).

Assuming a balanced schedule, no conferences, and knowing the size of this country, a partnership with an airline has to be a strategic priority. I'm sure that the brains in charge have thought of this and are working on it, but I think that the league's viability would be really helped if travel costs are kept as low as possible.

[shermanator]

I think Telus is the frontrunner for a Cavalry jersey sponsor. They are the current jersey sponsor for Calgary Foothills, and at one point their VP of Business Solutions was going to be the president of the club.

[shermanator]

Another signing will be announced tomorrow. Note Wembley in the background.

https://twitter.com/CPLCavalryFC/sta...08701007818752