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The Future of the Canadian Football League: Experts' Predictions for the Year 2000

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the Canadian Football League (CFL) navigates its uncertain future, a diverse group of experts offers their predictions for what the league will look like in the year 2000. From threats of Americanization to hopes of regional growth, these individuals share their visions of the CFL's future.

Key Takeaways:

  • J.P. McConnell, Vancouver radio personality and B.C. Lions play-by-play announcer, predicts that the league will be back to an all-Canada configuration by the year 2000, with nine teams and a focus on regional growth.
  • Larry Ryckman, owner of the Calgary Stampeders, believes that the CFL will have nine teams in Canada, including a new team in Montreal, and that the league will eventually return to an all-Canada configuration.
  • Al Ford, general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, envisions a three-division setup with 12 teams, eight in Canada and four in the United States.
  • Milt Dunnell, former Toronto Star sports editor and columnist, foresees the CFL winding down to a lesser status, with only six or seven Canadian cities remaining in the league by 2000.
  • Damon Allen, CFL quarterback, thinks that the league will have American teams in the year 2000 and a U.S. television contract, providing new strength for the CFL.
  • Kent Austin, CFL quarterback, believes that the chances of the CFL being Americanized by the year 2000 are slim and that the league will likely feature only Canadian teams.

Statistics:

  • Nine teams are predicted to be in the CFL by the year 2000, according to Larry Ryckman.
  • Al Ford envisions a three-division setup with 12 teams in the CFL by the year 2000.
  • The league will have a new team in Montreal by the year 2000, according to Larry Ryckman.
  • Milt Dunnell predicts that the CFL will have only six or seven Canadian cities remaining in the league by 2000.
  • The CFL will have a U.S. television contract by the year 2000, according to Damon Allen.
  • The league will feature only Canadian teams by the year 2000, according to Kent Austin.

Sources:

  • Stu Laird, Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman and vice-president of CFL Players Association
  • Larry Ryckman, owner, Calgary Stampeders
  • J.P. McConnell, Vancouver radio personality and B.C. Lions play-by-play announcer
  • Jim Speros, owner, Baltimore Stallions
  • Al Ford, general manager, Saskatchewan Roughriders
  • Don Wittman, CBC play-by-play announcer
  • Milt Dunnell, former Toronto Star sports editor and columnist
  • Gil Scott, football agent
  • Damon Allen, CFL quarterback
  • Kent Austin, CFL quarterback
  • Jake Gaudaur, former CFL commissioner, general manager and player
  • J.I. Albrecht, former CFL general manager
  • Leo Cahill, former CFL general manager, head coach and broadcaster
  • Marty York, associate sports editor of The Globe and Mail

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