Major Announcement from Commish Tomorrow.

[AngeloV]

Rod Petersen is calling it an Americanization and hints at four downs and a smaller field. I hope he’s just looking for click bait and discussion.

I still think this is very odd timing for such an announcement, if true.

Rod knows as much as any of us on here do.

I asked Dustin Neilson who seems to know but he's not letting the cat out of the bag.

I asked Dave Foxcroft too, but he couldn't say anything because of and NDA.

[ArgoGabe22]

If Justin Dunk is going to leak anything, now is the time.

[gilthethrill]

Having the announcement when most people are at work is, well, just plain rude.

[ArgoGabe22]

Johnston announced that the changes will be instituted over the next two seasons through a phased approach, with the goalposts being moved and the end zones shortened from 20 to 15 yards in 2027. The field will also be shortened from 110 yards to 100, while retaining its 65-yard width.

Other changes, scheduled to begin in 2026, include:

- The rouge will no longer include a single point for a missed field-goal attempt that goes wide of the goalposts. A point will also not be awarded when a punt or kickoff sails through or rolls out the back, or sides, of an end zone without being touched by a returner. If a punt, field goal or kickoff settles in the end zone, and the returner fails to take it out or takes a knee, a single point will still be awarded.

- All teams will be required to have their bench areas on opposite sides of the field, eliminating cases where some players are required to run 50-60 yards for substitutions.

- A new 35-second play clock will automatically begin as soon as the previous play is whistled dead. Currently, the 20-second play clock does not start until manually initiated by an official.

[ArgoGabe22]

I don't really see how smaller endzones and moving the FG posts out will lead to more touchdowns. It will only result in less walk off FGs. And more Hail Mary type plays. Its not the worst rule change but not a necessary rule change.

[paulwoods13]

Moving team benches to opposite sides of the field would seem to require pretty substantial realignment in at least two stadiums, BMO and Hamilton. The non-team sideline of those stadiums is very narrow at the moment. So fans on those sides will be a bit farther from the action than they are now. Speaking selfishly, I really hope Argos don't move their bench to the east side. I love sitting behind the bench, but I'm not moving my tickets to the east side, where the sun is punishing for any non-evening game.

[IssuesMcgee]

Requesting permission to swear when posting my thoughts on this...

[paulwoods13]

I've been calling for an immediate start to the play clock for years. I would love 25 (which was never realistic) and would prefer 30, but 35 is a good move IMO. And the rouge change is also a good one IMO. It eliminates the possibility a Grey Cup (or any game) could be won by a team deliberately missing a FG or even by punting from the five-yard line.

[OV Argo]

Time clock change is Ok ; benches - sure if the players and coaches prefer that.

However - a 110 yard long field and a rouge single point are historic and IMO unassailable features of Canadian football - these changes are just a pathetic suck-up to American football wannabes ... but hardly surprising coming from the gang of fUc&ing clowns that been involved in the CFL for decades and are growing in strength and numbers. 4 downs and other American rules are coming down the road, along with the elimination of Canadian talent getting to play in our own country = book it.

I won't be renewing my 3 RedBlacks seasons tickets (prime seats that cost me over 3 grand), and instead will show my football dollar $upport for real Canadian football (got the GGs, Ravens & Sooners here for example plus tons of minor football).

Might still watch some CFL next season, but to me this an obvious $uck-up to all our all-american hero worshipping wannabes up here ... at this time and in this social climate ????

F-off Johnson and the BOGutless whose boots u lick.

[gilthethrill]

Question: is it just a matter of time before CIS Football follows the CFLs lead on this?

TV timeouts after a KO should be done away with but that's a $$$$ thing.