Change is something that many people are not comfortable doing. It is something that many fear that if they change something, it will ruin them. When something starts or has been in decline, they either keep it where it is and fall further behind or adapt to it to make something better or enhance the product. That’s what the CFL has faced for decades, until last Monday.
Last Monday, the CFL announced several changes to the product that will begin in 2026. Some of the changes included modifying the rouge, shortening the field from 110 yards to 100 yards, moving the goal posts behind the end zones, and introducing a new play clock.
Since the announcements, there have been many fans, some in the media, and players, who have bashed Commissioner Stewart Johnston, including B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke calling the changes “garbage.” Some have also gone as far as calling these changes “Americanizing” and “NFL Canada.”
On the other side, there have been people, myself included, who have praised the changes the CFL made because the game needed to make some changes. Two of the nine teams made a profit last year. They were the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. That is not good enough. It is bad when most of these teams cannot fill a stadium every week, even if it is against one of their rival teams. Tweaks to the game needed to be made.
They will still be a Canadian game with playing three downs, the waggle, the larger endzones, etc. These changes could lead the CFL to finally make money. Finally becoming the league that a lot of us know it can be. With the potential of making a lot of money, the CFL can keep Canadian talent, pay players more money to stay instead of leaving, and acquire new players who want to play here.
How cool would it be if a backup player or a third-string player from the NFL wanted to play in the CFL? The changes made last Monday can help make it a reality.
Changing the product can also lead to more networks wanting to cover the CFL. Currently, the games air on CTV, TSN, and CFL+ for international viewers. The changes the CFL made could lead to a better TV contract. Maybe in the future, TSN will be part of other companies like CBC and Sportsnet. In addition, they could get better international contracts like those in the United States, which leads to my next point.
Expansion. It’s everyone’s favorite topic to talk about. For the last decade, many CFL haves have asked, “When is that 10th team coming to the CFL?” Well, the CFL almost had it with Halifax, but that has since gone cold. Shortening the field to 100 yards will allow the CFL to get a 10th team. In fact, they are already scouting American markets, according to Rod Pederson.
Two years ago, I wrote an opinion article about why the CFL should consider expanding into the United States. In that article, I mention that the league could put teams near the U.S./Canada border and go from there. Some cities already have stadiums that can house the new field, specifically, soccer stadiums like Providence Park (Portland, Oregon), Allianz Field (Minnesota), Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego), and Energizer Park (St. Louis, Missouri).
Adding American teams to the league could likely get them a better television contract in the United States. CBS Sports Network currently airs some CFL games in the United States. Many networks are vying for sports leagues in hopes of getting new customers to sign up for their service. The CFL would be in a prime position to get the most money from a network looking to air its games.
Change is a good thing. Change can lead to something bigger. If some of these changes don’t work out, they can always go back to the drawing board. The CFL making these changes could lead them to finally turn the corner for a better product, a better game, and a bright future.
