A few years ago, I wrote an article detailing why the league should start playing some games abroad bringing games to Europe after the success of the NFL series in London. This may soon become reality for CFL fans, although not in Europe, after rumours about plans to play two games next year in Mexico. The belief is that these games could attract up to 50,000 which would be fantastic news for the CFL in broadening their brand on the international stage as well as benefitting their teams, specifically the ones who will take part in this experiment. One team that has been mooted is the Toronto Argonauts which does seem like a sensible suggestion given their struggles to attract a crowd to their home games in what is a sport-mad city. This move would help grow their popularity with international fans and if this proves to be a success may attract a bigger audience back in Toronto.
If these games in Mexico prove to be a resounding success, then I would love to see the CFL bring games to the UK after the NFL has been a huge success here. Alternatively, the CFL could reach out to Germany or the Netherlands, for example, given the popularity of the NFL and the history they had with the now defunct NFL Europe franchises. Of course, one factor that needs to be considered is the size of pitch which tends to be bigger than a lot of European Football (Soccer) stadiums. However, CFL would be able to fit into stadiums that accommodate rugby, meaning there are numerous possibilities in Europe to host CFL games which would allow the CFL to break down barriers and enter a new market. Think about it. Imagine if the new franchise in Halifax (in this instance, the Atlantic Schooners) play at Murrayfield in Scotland which is their rugby stadium. It is a great venue and it makes sense giving that the team is from the Nova Scotia area, which of course translates as New Scotland, so it does have history. Also, it is worth pointing out that Murrayfield has previously hosted NFL with ex-NFL Europe team Scottish Claymores playing a number of seasons in the city of Edinburgh, (So Scotland’s capital city welcoming CFL would not be an issue.) This would act as an alternative to London hosting the NFL, giving people an opportunity to see a different sport in another part of the UK. Another option for a host city in the UK to have a CFL game would be Milton Keynes as the stadium within the city has hosted rugby games in the past, including a number of games from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, so the city has the infrastructure to handle major sporting events. If the CFL is to reach out further and increase brand awareness, then games across various countries can only help rather than hinder. Also, I believe that if they manged to increase their fanbase in other countries, thus leading to increased sales in merchandise and over time more investment from numerous sources, might see wage increases for the CFL athletes. More money for the players within the league is paramount to increasing the reputation and attracting more players to have a sustained career in the CFL. Of course, these internationals will not rival the NFL but would be a great way to showcase their product and show people what they’re missing out on.
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The 2018 Grey (106th) sees Calgary Stampeders take on Ottawa Redblacks in what will be a repeat of the 104th Grey Cup that took place in Toronto where the Redblacks emerged victorious, claiming their 1st Grey Cup. Below I have picked out 4 players who I believe will be the difference maker for their respective sides in the game in Edmonton, and if it’s anything like their encounter two years back it’s sure to be a competitive one. Diontae Spencer (Ottawa Redblacks) Having initially been impressed with him when he came to the CFL under the Toronto Argonauts, his game has come into its own during his time at the Ottawa Redblacks. Spencer looks like he’s enjoying his time in the capital too with the energy he brings to the pitch as well as his creative touchdown celebrations which encompass what the CFL is all about. The 26-year-old international receiver is what many would describe as a Quarterbacks dream, especially Trevor Harris who is Ottawa’s QB and the two have previous history from their time together at Toronto. This is shown in his form this year with his statistics backing this up, with Spencer getting 81 receptions this year which betters any of his previous seasons as well as getting over 1,000 rushing yards. Additionally, the Wide-Receiver got more touchdowns (with 7 so far) compared to his past seasons. Spencer has tons of pace and I expect him to use it to good effect if Ottawa are to win their second Grey Cup in only their 5th year as a franchise. Trevor Harris (Ottawa Redblacks) Like Spencer, Harris is another former Argonaut who has found his home at Ottawa too and has been the number one Quarterback since Henry Burris retired at the end of the 2016 season. He’s probably one of the most sought-after and reliable QB’s in the league and his stats back that up. 2018 will be the most games Harris has played in the season which is great for his team and teammates, knowing they have got a QB who’s match fit. This season, Harris has played 17 (more including the play-offs) and got 22 touchdowns in the process, which despite it being down from 30 in 2017 it still makes 2018 the 3rd best for the 7-year CFL veteran. 2018 has seen Harris record his best stats when comes to passing yards, reaching over 5,000, thus setting him up nicely for Edmonton. Harris’ form this year is one of the reasons why the Redblacks have reached the Grey Cup and if he is to walk out of Edmonton on Sunday night with his second Grey Cup ring then his form will need to be replicated for one last time this year. Bo-Levi Mitchell (Calgary Stampeders) The international Quarterback has made Canada his home since arriving in the Alberta province back in 2012. He has a lot to show for it too with numerous individual accolades, most notably appearing in 3 CFL West All-Star teams (2015,2016 & 2018), CFL All-Star in 2016, the MVP of the Grey Cup in 2014 as well as the team accolade of winning the Grey Cup in the same year. Furthermore, Mitchell will be making his third consecutive Grey Cup appearance (dating back to 2016) on Sunday and not many QB’s, past and present, can say they have achieved that. This season the Texas native has achieved at total of 356 passing completions making this his second best CFL season in his 7-year career. This is not bad considering he’s only had 585 attempts, meaning this has been one of his most consistent seasons. In regard to this being an impressive season, Mitchell has racked up 35 touchdowns so far, making this his best year yet for touchdowns. Interestingly, Mitchell has similar stats to the Redblacks’ Harris for passing yards (over 5,000), so it will be worth watching who comes out on top. Alex Singleton (Calgary Stampeders)
Seen as one of the biggest rising stars in the Canadian game, the American-born Line-backer has come along way since his rookie season and his loss in the Grey Cup to Ottawa in 2016, then the subsequent los t Toronto last year will only spur him on further. Singleton had another impressive year for the Stampeders getting into the CFL West All-Star and matching the same number of tackles (123 to be precise), albeit he didn’t gain as many sacks as the previous season. Despite that he did manage to force two extra fumbles than in 2017 and forcing fumbles will be key if Calgary are to come out of Sunday’s showdown in Edmonton victorious. Still only 24, Singleton brings much more to the game as seen in his six Special Teams sacks this season which just like causing fumbles, these too will be key if the Stamps are to win this years Grey Cup, especially if the game is to be a tight one. |
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