by Scouting Director

Here we go again! Another CFL breaking story. Who knew I’d start a CFL football scouting only website, the first of its kind, and that all the connections I’ve made around the game would give me the opportunity to do my best “we have breaking news” impression?

First, the 3DF staff broke the broadcasting deal a week early. No biggie. I just knew someone. That was easy.

Then we broke the news that the CFL and NHL have plans to expand to Quebec City with multiple ownership candidates. That was massive. Mainstream media didn’t pick it up. I guess we’re just too small. But when it happens, I’ll remind everyone who had the story first.

I even received an email from one of the prospective owners, and we later spoke on the telephone. When he found out what I knew, he kindly asked me not to make it more public. Sure thing! I’m a great guy and will play along. I also received a nicely written email from a member of the CFL asking me, without any official authority, not to share the extended details. Hmm… okay.

Then I got a phone call from the National Hockey League. It wasn’t Gary Bettman. It was someone much farther down the ladder from New York. They politely asked me where I got my information. I didn’t give them any names, but they narrowed down the general area of the source. I informed them that I had seen some documents, and they actually made me an offer to take the story down and stop reporting on it.

I said I wouldn’t, and then the next day my website was shut down and I was subpoenaed by the federal government. Okay, that part didn’t happen but it could have if they were from New Jersey!

What really happened is they made me an offer, which I accepted. I’ll tell you exactly what I told the NHL, along with a hint about the offer. I said, “I accept your offer, and I’ll wear a Nordiques jersey at their first game.”

This week was Canada Day, but I was still working hard, and it happened again. While working on scouting evaluations and preparing for August training camps, I was informed of two interesting developments within the CFL.

Allow me to share.

Sources have informed me that the Canadian Football League has held advanced discussions about making changes to the field modifications previously announced for 2027.

The CFL is now contemplating keeping the 55-yard centre line while reducing the size of the end zones and relocating the field goal posts. Another option under consideration is removing the 55-yard line while keeping the end zones their current size and relocating the field goal posts.

There was also a discussion last month, although it apparently hasn’t gained much traction, about borrowing an idea from Seinfeld co-creator Larry David and eliminating the field goal posts altogether, effectively removing field goal kicking from the game. That proposal reportedly wasn’t received very well, so don’t expect it to happen.

However, a new rule change may be introduced for next season or possibly in 2028 involving penalty yardage. The CFL is expected to examine reducing holding penalties to five yards and changing pass interference to a 15-yard penalty unless the infraction occurs in the end zone.

We’ll have to wait and see.

The second rumor has been with me for almost a month. After speaking with multiple sources, I can confirm that two major CFL related properties are preparing to be sold: The Sports Network (TSN) and the Toronto Argonauts (MLSE).

Bell and Rogers, two of Canada’s largest telecommunications, media, and entertainment companies, are both working to manage their debt loads through equity partnerships, operational cost-cutting, and asset monetization.

Industry experts believe the potential entry of international telecommunications companies into the Canadian market, beginning as early as the summer of 2027 or 2028, will place great financial pressure on both companies.

Bell is reportedly preparing to make significant changes within the company. Without turning this into a BNN financial story, Bell is said to be pursuing a major acquisition and also unloading another. One move would be selling TSN, with rumors suggesting potential interest from Walt Disney (currently owns minority stake in TSN), DAZN, or Amazon.

Rogers, which currently owns a majority stake in MLSE, plans to purchase the remaining shares of the company, creating a massive, consolidated sports and entertainment asset under its direct ownership.

Rogers also reportedly plans to sell between 25% and 40% of its sports holdings by 2027 to help repay its long-term debt. However, sources believe the company’s future challenges are significant and that a broader restructuring could eventually lead to the near total divestment of assets such as MLSE and Sportsnet.

The other part of this development involves the Argonauts. I was told that MLSE nearly accepted an offer for the CFL Argonauts and MLS Toronto FC in 2024 with the prospective ownership group wanting to relocate the Argonauts to Kitchener, Ontario & build a sports & entertainment district. One notable member of the prospective ownership group is well known as an owner of an existing National Hockey League franchise.

The eventual restructuring of MLSE is likely to involve the CFL Argonauts, and an outright sale of the franchise appears increasingly likely.