CFL to boost Grey Cup ratings by playing NFL highlights on Jumbotron
TORONTO, ON—Are you ready for some (Canadian) football? CFL Director of Promotions J.P. Chaveaux certainly hopes so.
"We believe we have a great product in the CFL," says Chaveaux, "but comparisons to the NFL are inevitable. This is an innovative solution to an old problem."
The Super Bowl, or the Grey Cup of the NFL, draws a viewership of hundreds of millions of people annually from all over the world. The CFL believes those numbers are within reach.
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With players like Ottawa Redblacks punter Dougie Humphs, winner of CFL's Most Outstanding Young Man, taking on the CFL's reigning Least Rude Canuck Darren Dill and the Calgary Stampeders, there's no shortage of star power in this year's Grey Cup.
"Frankly we couldn't have dreamed of a better match-up," says CFL CEO Theo LeDuc. "These teams are polar opposites: The Redblacks are the team in the red and black jerseys and the Stampeders are the team in the black and red jerseys."
Though the Jumbotron deal was just announced today, tickets sales for the event have already skyrocketed.
"We're at 50% capacity and the game is in a day," boasts LeDuc. "My father told me he's proud of me for being in charge so I'm really happy."
New ticket buyers are also happy.
"Watching NFL streams on my laptop can get frustrating because my internet is slow," explains one new ticket holder. "This is a great alternative. I'm already looking forward to next week's Grey Cup."
The CFL is hoping this decision will be a hit with casual fans and die-hards alike.
"We're trying to get people to watch the Grey Cup for more than 'just the commercials'", says Chaveaux. "Of course we all remember the classics, like the Scotiabank ad where the bank teller was agreeable and helpful. And the Sun Life Financial commercial where the insurance broker seemed stern but turned out to be friendly. There's nothing wrong with hilarious commercials but we want the focus to be on the game."
LeDuc says the cultural significance of the Grey Cup won't be affected by this new partnership.
"The Grey Cup is a national treasure. For our Canadian players who dreamt of winning a Stanley Cup or for our American players who dreamt of winning the Super Bowl or World Series or NBA Championship, this is almost like those."
Chaveaux is optimistic that we'll see the NFL enact a similar arrangement with the CFL's highlights.
"We've let the NFL know in no uncertain terms we're wiling to reciprocate the favour at no cost. We've called them, emailed them, tweeted at them, used an old fax number we had for them. We eagerly await their response."
Editor's Note: At the time of publication the NFL had yet to respond.
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