Bruce Arthur: CFL fans are putting the grey in the Grey Cup. This is a league that needs to find its future

Are the CFL's glory days behind it?

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is facing a number of challenges, including declining attendance, a lack of national television coverage, and a perception that the league is old and outdated. In a recent article, Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star argued that the CFL is in danger of losing its relevance and that it needs to find a way to appeal to a younger audience.

Arthur's article sparked a lot of debate about the future of the CFL. Some people agreed with Arthur's assessment, while others argued that the league is still strong and has a bright future. Here are some of the key points that were raised in the debate:

Declining attendance

One of the biggest challenges facing the CFL is declining attendance. In 2019, the average attendance at CFL games was 22,108, down from 27,446 in 2010. This decline is particularly concerning because it is happening at a time when other sports leagues, such as the NFL and NHL, are seeing increasing attendance.

There are a number of factors that could be contributing to the decline in attendance at CFL games. One factor is the increasing popularity of other sports leagues. Another factor is the rising cost of tickets. Finally, some people argue that the CFL is simply not as exciting as it used to be.

Lack of national television coverage

Another challenge facing the CFL is the lack of national television coverage. In Canada, only TSN and RDS carry CFL games on a regular basis. This means that many Canadians do not have easy access to CFL games, which can make it difficult for the league to grow its audience.

There are a number of reasons why the CFL does not have more national television coverage. One reason is that the league is not as popular as other sports leagues, such as the NFL and NHL. Another reason is that the CFL has a limited number of teams, which makes it difficult to schedule games that will be attractive to a national audience.

Perception that the league is old and outdated

Another challenge facing the CFL is the perception that the league is old and outdated. This perception is due in part to the fact that the CFL has not changed much in recent years. The game is still played on a 110-yard field with 12 players on each side. The rules are also very similar to the rules of American football.

The CFL needs to find a way to update its image and appeal to a younger audience. One way to do this would be to make the game more exciting. Another way would be to change the way the game is marketed. The CFL could also consider adding new teams to the league, which would help to create more interest in the game.

The future of the CFL

The CFL is facing a number of challenges, but it is still a viable league with a lot of potential. The league needs to find a way to appeal to a younger audience and update its image, but it has the potential to be a successful and popular sports league for many years to come.