CFL.ca Staff
VANCOUVER — The Canadian Football League is continuing its renaissance and sees tremendous opportunities ahead, Commissioner Mark Cohon reported today.
“This year, we’ve seen unprecedented parity, historic records, and amazing turnarounds on the field, higher attendance in the stands, and new records for revenue from league wide sponsorships,” Cohon said, at his annual State of the League news conference.
“And there are tremendous opportunities for us as we look ahead. The excitement building towards the historic 100th Grey Cup in 2012 is a chance to connect with millions of new fans. And the new stadium construction happening across the country has the potential to transform the CFL fan experience for generations to come.”
The league’s continued growth can be seen in the fact that attendance, licensing, and fan engagement on CFL.ca and the league’s social media platforms are all up, Cohon said.
And despite an uncertain economy in much of Canada, sponsorship revenue is up 16 per cent from a year ago, and it was up 29 per cent in 2010 compared to 2009.
The CFL remains Canada’s number one summer sports television property, and is second only to hockey overall.
Over the first two years of a new television ratings system, the CFL on TSN and RDS combined has attracted 789,000 viewers per regular season game.
For the 100th Grey Cup in 2012, the league is planning a special Grey Cup tour, unique events in CFL cities and surrounding communities, and a number of commemorative programs, all culminating in a tremendous festival and game in Toronto one year from now.
“We want to build on the success of 99th Grey Cup here in Vancouver, and celebrate our Cup, our country and what the two have come to mean to each other,” Cohon said.
“But we want to do more than share the experience with our current supporters. We want to ignite the passion for our league in a new contingent of CFL fans, and re-ignite it in what some call a lost generation of CFL fans.”
But the biggest opportunity facing the league is the boom in stadium construction in Canada, with a beautifully refurbished BC Place opening here this past fall, and new stadiums opening in Winnipeg next year, in Hamilton in 2014, and in Ottawa as early as 2014, if the approvals and legal processes continue to proceed in the national capital, which is eager for the return of CFL football.
“At the same time, we’ve seen facilities upgraded in Edmonton and Montreal, and there is plenty of discussion about what the future may hold for Regina and Calgary,” Cohon said.
“There is tremendous potential here for a leap forward for the live fan experience – and a leap forward for our business.”
While the league is on a solid footing, it does recognize that it faces a challenge in southern Ontario, and particularly Toronto, Cohon said.
The CFL Board of Governors recently approved a million dollar investment in research, marketing and community initiatives in Southern Ontario, with the funds contributed by all teams and shared evenly by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts.
“We are united and focused on the importance of doing whatever it takes – particularly with the 100th Grey Cup coming up in Toronto – to turn this challenge into what it is: the biggest opportunity our league has, in Canada’s biggest market,” Cohon said.
It has been an exciting year for the CFL on the field, he added, with five of the eight teams all tied for the best overall record going into the final week of the season, Anthony Calvillo and Paul McCallum setting new all-time records for passing yardage and consecutive made field goals, respectively, and several teams enjoying turn around seasons.
“It’s appropriate that this Sunday’s 99th Grey Cup match up features two exciting teams returning to the championship after an absence, and playing in a state of the art facility, because our future is all about great football in a league where anything can happen and fans can count on a great experience,” Cohon said.
“All of us who love our game, our league and our cherished Grey Cup, have a lot to look forward to, this weekend, in 2012, and for decades to come.”