u/Brilliant-Cancel3237

On days like today, I'm kinda missing it...

I'll predicate this post by stating that I believe it's only a matter of time when the CFL returns to the US, not if. The evidence here is pretty strong, with both the current commissioner and his immediate predecessor taking steps and overtures to grow the US and wider international audience.

The CFL isn't alone in this either, with the NFL, MLB and NHL all trying to internationalize as they know this is how they'll stay solvent over the long haul. (see attached graph for why keeping expansion within Canada is going to be near-impossible given the lack of economically viable cities to host teams)

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With that out of the way, there is a serious hurdle that the league would have to overcome with the US labor laws which prevent an employer from discriminating based on national origin when hiring. It's pretty clear and it's strongly enforced.

So how would the CFL get around this without either a) turning the legacy nine teams' chances of winning another Grey Cup to mush, or b) flooding these same teams with American players?

What I would propose is a two-tiered draft system which takes inspiration from the schoolyard days playing the game.

Tier 1 would apply only to Canadian-based teams and would give them the first pick of players, mirroring exactly how the draft works today.

Tier 2 would then happen for the US-based teams, and have no limits on players who could be drafted other than confirming strictly to the CFL's salary cap rules.

After the draft, there would also be limits on how players could cross the border in trades or free agency. This would include a hard cap in trades similar to the Ottawa expansion last decade, and a similar two-staged system for free agency where the Canadian teams get their first shot at players.

The result would allow some of the league's roster a chance to make extra money south of the border and extend their careers further (I'm thinking of the excellent Shawn Bane Jr. here as I write this), which would help enhance the attractiveness of US players coming up to play in the CFL.

This proposal doesn't address all issues of US expansion, such as travel visas, etc., but I offer this since this is the one systematic barrier to trying a US expansion while maintaining the integrity of the league's goal in platforming Canadian players.

I'm open to thoughtful discussion on this and proposed modifications/alternatives.

https://preview.redd.it/rmekyftqh3ah1.png?width=500&format=png&auto=webp&s=24d7b9292aefd21f911a5e77aefe1ac5f4ea6205

https://preview.redd.it/ezd4j7fxkm9h1.png?width=1030&format=png&auto=webp&s=39d98b9adef2b9e0dfbf4f1c1cdfacc9f5568483

Full story on ZH this morning.

I have a thought exercise for everyone. Whether you think the rule changes will help/harm the league's attendance, I wanted to see if we could come to a rough consensus on what would be seen as a success/failure in terms of boycott rumbles going into this year.

Please, for this thread, try to focus on what you think a red line would be for the league to either declare PR victory or need to at least reconsider some of these changes, and why you think that.

There are other threads we've all participated in on why the rules are/aren't good, but my hope is that we can have a benchmark that we can use as we get further into the season.

An example of what I'm asking folks for is: If most teams across the league saw a 25% decline in attendance by August, this would be a clear signal that the league needs to rethink the rule changes. (this is just for illustration and not my proposed benchmark)

Happy analyzing everyone!

Massie has an impressive track record of results:

-he got the Epstein List declassified in law
-he opposed Nancy Pelosi's violation of the 27th Amendment (the only case since its ratification 35 years ago)
-he voted to remove RINO speakers

He's not perfect, like any politician, but we need a voice like his in Congress and someone to show that Midwest districts can't be traded in New York.

Remind me to write a letter of gratitude to this judge...