With the CFL set to hire a new commissioner soon, the new commissioner should not just look at short-term goals but also long-term goals and long-term growth for the league. I’ll discuss which cities, that already have stadiums ready to go should get a CFL team in the future.
The CFL kicked off the 2017 season this weekend. As much as the games are exciting to watch, fans are wondering who will be the next commissioner of the league. Whoever the CFL hires as the new commissioner should be one that will focus on growing the league since Mark Cohon who help revive the Ottawa franchise now known as the Redblacks.
This new commissioner should have short and long-term goals to help grow the league. The CFL doesn’t have much room left to place teams in Canada with the exception of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
I would love to see the CFL finally have all these years to get the Atlantic Schooners going but that would be the last team placed in Canada and thus the CFL should consider placing a team in the United States again. The CFL is an exciting league to watch. Over the years, they have added new fans from the United States. Heck, I’m a fan of the game and want to see this league come back to the United States in the future.
How can the CFL make its way back to the United States? They need to start slow and work their way down. Yes, there will be people out there that say the NFL rules the United States and that is true but there’s room for another league.
Other startup leagues like the USFL, UFL, FXFL, XFL, and such have come and gone but one thing is for sure. Players who played in these leagues were discovered such as Tommy Maddox, Rod Smart, Jay Gruden, and others who have played or coached in these leagues in order for NFL teams to recognize them.
There are too many players who never get to play in the NFL and this would benefit the CFL by adding new teams to the league. As a plus for the CFL, there are some cities that don’t have a professional franchise or don’t have an NFL team but have NHL, NBA, and MLS. The CFL is in a nice position to expand into the United States. If you look at the 9 teams that are currently in the league. 2 of them share a stadium with an MLS team. They are B.C and Toronto. Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Calgary will soon share their stadiums with the soon-to-launch Canadian Premier League.
There are MLS stadiums right now that are near or meet the requirements to have a CFL team. Of course, you have to find an owner who wants to own a CFL franchise but I’m sure there are some out there who would love to own a CFL team. How can this league expand back to the United States? They need to start slow and work their way down. For starters, here are some cities the CFL should consider putting a franchise in if they decide to come back to the United States. Note, 2 of them do have NFL teams nearby but I think that these cities would support a CFL franchise.
Future CFL USA Team
Chicago, IL Toyota Park
Portland, OR Providence Park
Sandy, UT Rio Tinto Stadium
Columbus, OH Mapfre Stadium
Harrison, NJ Red Bull Arena
If the CFL added these 5 cities, they would have an even number of teams at 14. 7 teams for each division. These cities are near the border with the exception of Utah but I think Utah would support a CFL team. Here is what the East and West divisions would look like with these 5 cities in the league.
East Division
Hamilton
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Chicago
Columbus
New Jersey
West Division
B.C
Calgary
Edmonton
Saskatchewan
Winnipeg
Portland
Utah
With these 5 cities in the CFL, it would be a good start for the league back in the United States. There would be a good chance you see fans travel to these cities to watch a CFL game.
If all goes well for these 5 cities, you would see the CFL start looking into other markets to place a franchise and create new rivalries for the league. It would be a win-win for the CFL and the fans.
