WINNIPEG - Investors Group Field (33,422)

[carnifex2005]

Originally Posted by Cjones2451

Do you think it will be TSN only or will CBC and CTV bid for some too? I think Sportsnet won't bid on it, too much invested in the Blue Jays

Sportsnet will bid on it because they need more inventory now that they have Sportsnet One. That and CFL gets far more ratings than Blue Jays baseball.

[JYDA]

It was reported a few months ago that Sportsnet is taking a pass on bidding for the CFL contract.

[carnifex2005]

Originally Posted by JYDA

It was reported a few months ago that Sportsnet is taking a pass on bidding for the CFL contract.

Really? If that is the case, that would definitely hurt the revenue of CFL teams in the future. It's sort of sad that TFC and Vancouver Whitecaps (in their first year) have more revenue per year ever than established CFL teams do in their 100th year (apparently only the Rough Riders make more than TFC and the Whitecaps per year).

[isaidso]

How much does the CFL get from US television rights? To gain a stronger financial footing, the CFL really needs to start earning television broadcast revenue from beyond Canada.

[JYDA]

Originally Posted by isaidso

How much does the CFL get from US television rights? To gain a stronger financial footing, the CFL really needs to start earning television broadcast revenue from beyond Canada.

I think that's a bit of a pipe dream to be honest. Between high school, college, arena, UFL, and of course NFL there's just so much domestic football content for americans to consume before watching a foreign league.

[vadin]

Originally Posted by JYDA

I think that's a bit of a pipe dream to be honest. Between high school, college, arena, UFL, and of course NFL there's just so much domestic football content for americans to consume before watching a foreign league.

In the U.S., we already get CFL games on the NFL Network. I don't know anyone who watches it regularly, though. I doubt the NFL Network pays very much for the rights.

[KingmanIII]

Originally Posted by vadin

In the U.S., we already get CFL games on the NFL Network. I don't know anyone who watches it regularly, though. I doubt the NFL Network pays very much for the rights.

we sometimes get games on tape delay here on Metro Sports

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by JYDA

Between high school, college, arena, UFL, and of course NFL there's just so much domestic football content for americans to consume before watching a foreign league.

Our seasons starts much earlier than theirs, so there will always be a few months with no competition at all. Besides there's a market for everything, you just need to search it out. There's also tv broadcasting rights beyond Canada/US.

0.1% of the overseas sports market is better than zero and this is a business after all. They'd be stupid not to try.

[shhyvoodoo]

Originally Posted by JYDA

I think that's a bit of a pipe dream to be honest. Between high school, college, arena, UFL, and of course NFL there's just so much domestic football content for americans to consume before watching a foreign league.

Who watches Arena Football and the UFL?? High School ehh only big games maybe.. A true football fan is gonna watch the CFL in the states.
I've been watching it on ESPN 3 for years now and they show every game..
It would be nice if Directv and TSN or whoever gets the TV rights in Canada get together and give the CFL the same treatment they are giving the Super Rugby 15 season.. Show every game in HD compliments of Directv and they can put the games on the same channel they got set aside for the rugby season.. But i don't know if the NFL is gonna like that too much..

The NFL really has no problem with the CFL because they want players that don't make NFL rosters to have another alternative and it's the reason why the NFL WILL NEVER expand into Canada despite what others may think or want...

[Cjones2451]

Getting back on topic....

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Football Club announced today an update on the construction and the opening of Investors Group Field.

“As we all know, construction of a major facility is dependent on many different factors,” said Jim Bell, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“We were given a comprehensive construction overview last week, and were advised that the construction team has lost over 60 days due to weather. While we are enjoying mild temperatures, high winds have hampered the very dangerous work associated with the erection of the partial roof canopy. Workplace safety is of foremost importance and we support our construction team’s decisions as to when it’s safe to operate the cranes and when it is not. In light of this information, we will play our preseason game on June 20 at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to open the regular season at Investors Group Field on July 26.”

What do you think the milestone is....My guess is they have to have the roof up on both sides, which looking at where they are now seems like a TON of work

The July 26 date is dependent on a milestone being met in early May.

“I can assure people that our construction team is working around the clock to make this time up with whatever resources are necessary, and to meet the dates required,” said Ossama AbouZeid, Stadium Project Manager.

“We are asking our fans to bear with us as we work through this process. We are focused thoroughly on giving our fans the best and complete game day atmosphere and experience possible. With that in mind, we are hoping that with our preseason game being held at historic Canad Inns Stadium, and our first four games on the road to the start the regular season, we will be in a position to open Investors Group Field on July 26,” said Bell.

As the organization continues its season ticket allocation program, season ticket holders for 2012 will be credited the difference to equal the value of the 2011 preseason game ticket.

[isaidso]

26 days after the season starts is a long time to wait for a home opener. Will they configure the stadium at 40,000 for it?

[will101]

Originally Posted by vadin

In the U.S., we already get CFL games on the NFL Network. I don't know anyone who watches it regularly, though. I doubt the NFL Network pays very much for the rights.

I do. Although since NFL Network gives it such a low priority that I would have to agree with your conclusion about rights fees. Sometimes the only way I see a game is because the automatic DVR function found it.

[isaidso]

Originally posted by trebor204

[Marvo]

Series of photos from bombers website www.bluebombers.com

Looking at these and recent photos it really makes me question the need for a roof on stadiums, who are we kidding? this is Canada, we are kind of used to extreme weather here so why spend 80% of the budget and time (guess) on engineered trusses and arches. In the summer bring a jacket in case it rains and those 2 or 3 games at the start of winter bring a blanket .... heck the money you could save by not building a roof send all season ticket holders and a jacket and blanket!!

I would much rather see stadiums like this with unbelievable site lines where everybody is on top of the action rather than cozy and warm with a little faux roof high above..... rant over.








Not sure there are quite enough people standing around doing nothing in this last shot

[Jericho-79]

Wow. It must be difficult completing construction projects in the snow.

[krnboy1009]

Originally Posted by KingmanIII

we sometimes get games on tape delay here on Metro Sports

CFL is also on MSG network in NYC, tape delayed.

[Cjones2451]

Love these pics!!!! Great to see another perspective other than the one on the bluebombers.com site

Looks like since the announcement on the delay a couple of weeks ago, they have really kicked into overdrive to get caught up. They announced that to be done by July 26's Home Opener they had to hit a milestone by May, my guess is they need to have both roof trusses in place to be done on time

Originally Posted by isaidso

Originally posted by trebor204

[will101]

Pardon me for a stupid question, but why are they already building the lower level on the 'sunny' side, when the upper level there is only partially completed, while on the 'shady' side the upper level seems to be structurally complete, but with no part of the lower level in place?

[koolio]

Damn ... it seems that there is perma snow on the ground in Winnipeg during the winter months. I wonder if they actually had a mild and dry winter like we did in Toronto or was is business as usual. I bet their mild winters are harsher than the worst Toronto winters.

[Terri288]

About damn time, WPG!

CanadInns is a hole, plain and simple.