I dont disagree with anything you said but I would add the the reality of this time compared to the time back in the 70', 80' and 90's is more about access than anything else. The CFL has largely been a gate driven LEague and as such they imposed blackouts to help that cause.
It worked.
I used to be an Eskimo Season ticket holder. I would endure all kinds of bad weather to watch the game because that was my only option. I remember when the only CFL games that would be televised at all was after Labour Day when the CBC contract kicked in.
That reality doesnt exist anymore....there are options now. The effort it took to go to a home game isnt required. Its not an event as much as it used to be.
I dont have be be uncomfortable at all to watch an Eskimo home game now.
As a matter of fact I dont even have to watch a commercial if I dont want to.
Also...there is more that the CFL has to compete with now than back in the glory days. I think thats why their reputation (a reputation which has been in place for decades) hurts them more now than ever before.
Credibility matters and when there are so many available options to younger generations why would they bother putting in the effort to go watch a game which involves teams in a League which has the reputation of being a joke.
I think the TSN/CFL marriage is perfect for both the network and the league. TSN lost NHL hockey (for the most part) and the CFL gives them an opportunity to provide exclusive coverage. In turn the CFL gets the revenue they lost from lower gate recipets.
My concern for the CFL is what will happen if TSN bids for and gets NHL hockey again?
