I'm pretty sure if people wanted to see every tweet by the CPL, they could follow them on Twitter. Can you limit your tweet posts to things that are actually CPL news related?
By the way Hope Solo's complaint against the USSF will end up having major implications for Canada. She asserts that The Fed has been at the service of MLS at the expense of the broader game, as it were, in the US. Remember that Canada's MLS teams compete in the USSF-sanctioned league only with The Fed's permission. That permission was put to a vote in the case of Toronto and the vote passed. There were allegations that the committee wasn't independent of MLS. Furthermore, votes on Vancouver and Montreal were never even held. This will get messy. And it will get messy for Canada.
No. But the CPL will serve avocado toast at all its concession stands - provided that at least 50% of the avocados used are Canadian. This will stimulate the development of the domestic Canadian avocado sector. Investors in several cities are standing by to start new avocado farms as soon as the CPL officially launches.
Now.. Don't get me wrong.. I love me some Avocado Toast and I would not mind if that were PM'd to me (seriously, hook a brother up), but no. It would not go in this thread.
Audio from today's (February 1st 11:00am) Q & A between Dr Nick Bontis and CPL commissioner David Clanachan held at McMaster University. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/CPLF0118.mp3 Main points (New points only) # of groups involved: Confirms that the League is now talking to 18 groups Canadian Content: According to David, the group of ownership is in agreement with the emphasis on Canadian content and to develop Canadian players. Also confirms that a U20 content rule is being considered pointing out examples from around the world. Also use MLS and USMNT as a cautionary tale to not neglect player's development. CPL-MLS Relationship: No official relationship, David is quick to define MLS as "an American League". Confirms that multiple clubs in the main 3 cities & areas is a league objective. Broadcasting: Streaming will happen, points out the deal with Youtube & LAFC. Every digital platforms are on the table. Foreign digital broadcasters sees CPL as an opportunity to get into the Canadian market. Traditional broadcast is also being pursued Draft: Universities (U-Sports) will be used for the CPL draft Owners reaction to pro-rel: Owners are on board despite the possibility of relegation and negative impact on their finances/investments. Points out that the league was very transparent in their intention and owners agree Stadiums: "Modular", affordable and expandable stadiums is the league preferred choice. *(Montreal Stade Saputo was built for $17M) Women's League: CPL wants a Women's League after CPL men league is in place and established
Some possible decisions look very questionable early on. Surrey? Newfoundland? Both Regina and Saskatoon? Halifax and Victoria are gambles by themselves; to start even more ambitiously may be courting disaster.
It has to be per team. If it is per league how in the world would they enforce it? They could end up making some teams play more U-20 minutes than others. You would have to have a per team amount to make it work.
This is not even close to one of the more controversial aspects of the USSF/MLS relationship. In the face of the bigger axes that get grinded out in the USSF over the coming cycle, their participation in MLS will hardly warrant a mention. It's always been more of an issue for Canadian fans and the Canadian game than it is here. Our league's structures, business practices and the way the USSF emphasizes player development is far bigger an issue than it's composition. I doubt Hope Solo even thought of TFC and the Canadian teams when she filed the suit. The only way the three will be affected is by any indirect effects of any changes that happen in other areas of USSF policy.
I understand the apprehension as we're truly in uncharted territory. We haven't had a true national league since 1992. Surrey Surrey being around 45 minutes from Vancouver is far enough from the Whitecaps and downtown Vancouver. Population-wise, Surrey will become BC's biggest city by 2041. It's already a very close 2nd to Vancouver (~517k vs Vancouver's ~630k) and has over double the population growth than Vancouver. Locally, the majority of Surrey citizens identify more towards Surrey over Vancouver. The group of ownership behind Surrey are believed to be the ones to have trademarked "BC FC", so on top of getting the Fraser Valley to follow them, they seem to be targeting the entire mainland. This club has everything it needs to succeeds with a potential rivalry with Alberta and Victoria. St.John's, Newfoundland The province economy is actually quite strong despite it's size. With the city being at the heart of the Atlantic oil industry, the corporate presence is there with companies like ExxonMobil having their Canadian HQ in the city, other companies such as Cevron, Husky, Suncor and other are there. It has one of the highest GDP per capita in the country, one of the highest growth and lowest unemployment rates in the entire country. Small population but they have available money to spend and CPL would be virtually the only game in town. They have a rich history of football there and the King George V stadium where Canada defeated Honduras to win the 1985 CONCACAF Championship and qualify for the World Cup in Mexico is still there and ready for 10k fans. *Man have we lost our way...We used to make teams play in the harshest environment back then (windy, cold St.John's) while today, we make them play in comfy places. Saskatoon The ownership behind this team is very solid led by Joe Belan (founder and CEO of Novatrek Capital) and Lee Genier who brought the lacrosse team the Rush to Regina and made it a success with an avg. attendance north of 10k for their 1st season. Football is in good hands with these guys and they understand that downtown Saskatoon is a vital location for the success of the club. Regina could join if the Roughriders ever decided to start a team in Regina out of the new Mosaic stadium. Regarding the economy, despite a low population, Saskatchewan strong economy is well documented. Halifax It's the financial centre of Atlantic Canada with a very diverse economy and the 13th most populous area in Canada. With CPL being the only game in town until CFL arrives and a stadium right at the heart of Downtown Halifax, there's very low doubts that it may end up being one of the most awesome atmosphere in the entire league. We don't know who's the money behind the team but they hired the very competent Sports Entertainment Atlantic to manage the team. Victoria The capital of British Columbia, 15th biggest area in the country on Vancouver Island is a public service city with a suprisingly diverse economy and strong tourism sector. Geographically, a CPL team there makes sense as the league needs to be coast to coast to be a true Canadian league while pretty much having the whole Island being their main following (over 775k pop). Soccer would also be the only game in town in the summer. If we're talking risks, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver proper are high risk, hence the league putting clubs everywhere else. The demand for soccer is undeniable in Canada but MLS are restricted to their immediate areas. CPLK putting clubs everywhere else unopposed and growing the league will position itself to penetrate the 3 cities, which it plans to do. You can be sure that they have 2026 circled in their calendar as a North American World Cup would put this country on an unprecedented soccer high, which would be the perfect opportunity for the league to capitalize on that and announce the final expansions of the Premier league in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
I don't think any of the cities you list qualify as "decisions" at this point.....in fact only two of them have names of people attached to them at all....and neither of those two has (at least publicly) applied for membership or written any cheques. So, at this point I think every city/town/burg is a prospect and people (here and elsewhere) can debate/critique them.....but they are not mistakes or, even, questionable until the league actual admits them.....and we will all have different opinions. I think (for example) if you are going to put a team in either of Regina or Saskatoon....you better put one in both.....soccer, unlike CFL football, is not likely to see either team become the province's team and since they are, largely, cities of similar size you are far better off fostering the rivalry as opposed to trying to get the soccer fans in one of the cities to travel to the other. I doubt you will see, though, all 6 of those areas you listed in this league.
ATP will have a very high "domestic" rating and may actually be a mandatory side to any item ordered at the concession stands.
That said.....i bet you we are a point where the first 8 guys/groups that offer up cheques close to what the current two teams and league management want for entry get in......there is not a lot of time left for them to say "sorry, Sudbury (to pick one out of the blue so as to not comment on any actually named towns) we have you rated in the 4th tier so we are going to wait until we get money from groups in the 8 cities we really fancy"
^ I tend to agree (with the proviso that the league will have some minimum standard for a city - Whitehorse is probably out even if a billionaire owner wants it). I believe the league when they say they have expressions of interest from many cities. It doesn't take much to count as having expressed interest, however, and it's to the league's benefit to talk up the number of potential bidders. If they had received firm offers with cheques attached, however, I think we'd have heard about them by now. So, yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if they were now down to the "give us a cheque and you're in" stage.
The 2019 firm date and 8-10 teams obviously means they have firm commitments. Being skeptical is one thing, but talking like knowing how starting a league from scratch and going through all the tasks to get it running is really comical but you guys keep this up, I get a good laugh every time!
This would seem to be the way to go. Have pairs of teams in certain areas like Regina/Saskatoon, Halifax/Moncton/St. John('s), Calgary/Edmonton, Victoria/Surrey, Quebec/Montreal Area/Cantons de l'Est, etc., plus a bunch of teams in relatively compact Ontario.Most of those places are far enough away from each other that you wouldn't get a lot of crossover support, but a nearby rival could be a big deal.
Rivalries/derbies are at the heart of the league strategy. Something that's very important to Beirne from his time at Brighton. He wants that vibe for CPL.
Who cares if they burn their deadline? The other guys was making a big deal out of 5 days like a broken record in a very passive aggressive tone. Starting in 2019 the right way when everyone is 100% ready is what matters. MLS started with like a year later with less teams than originally announced didn't stop them to becoming one of the most important leagues in the world, so you'll understand that when people are nitpicking over 5 days or 2-3 weeks delay, it really comes out as ridiculous. Criticize the project on constructive things like them not being a single entity, not having playoffs, etc... there are things they want to do that I don't agree with but announcement delays and joking about accepting anybody who brings a cheque is dumb
Hey I'll start I don't like that they sound like every clubs will be 100% independant. I might not be a fan of single entity but you can't argue against the result. I don't like that they are vague on TV contracts. Might be a negotiation strategy to only talk digital platform to get traditional broadcasters to raise the value on the 1st season but It's a curious approach I get wanting to be Euro but no playoff is risky. And so on. I have other worries/criticism. Oh and the way Easton talked about referees was far from reassuring. Let's nitpick on That, not missing a stupid announcement by 5 days
It was during an interview, he said this about referees for CPL: https://the11.ca/canpl-v-p-james-ea...will-be-built-and-competition-will-be-shaped/ Easton’s portfolio is on-field activities, so that includes referees. Last year, CanPL president Paul Beirne suggested that fans will need to be patient with the Canadian crop of officials — that we’ll need to accept that some mistakes will be made. “I think, initially, we’re going to take our lumps and learn from them,” he said. “We will improve on what we need to improve.” Basically, Easton said we need to adopt a similar philosophy with developing officials as we do with developing players. “The way to develop players is put them in new environments and then see how they can adapt, and how they can learn. It’s the same with our referees.” Bad or comical refereeing can impact very negatively the league's image. I don't like the "we'll learn as we go" attitude. I would have preferred a more proactive approach on that file.Use the time you have to assess the referees and get them ready to the league's standards, not just hoping they'll do a good job. They might, but I don't like the sound of that
Thanks for the link. It's an interesting question, and potentially on-topic for MLS N&A board, since the top Canadian referees are currently employed by PRO and are working both sides of the border in MLS/USL/NASL/NWSL. Will the CPL try to develop a separate pool of professionally-qualified referees? There definitely would be a lot of growing pains if the current experienced CSA-licensed PRO referees are not included. Would CPL or CSA try to get Canadian refs to leave PRO? Would CPL consider contracting with PRO even though that means many of its games would be officiated by USSF refs?
Two thoughts here. 1. If they are currently employed with PRO, CSA could always open up the purse strings and, you know, offer them better contracts than PRO can. 2. How many of the Canadian referees are actually employees of PRO? I was uder the impression that only a handful of PRO referees were full time and the rest were contractors that had to have full time jobs outside of refereeing. if the Canadian referees aren't actually PRO employees, again, show them the money.