The CFL is trying to make the game day experience more rewarding for paying customers, especially in struggling markets like Toronto. But if you want the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you'd better stay home and watch TSN. Replays that the home viewer routinely get on controversial penalties or non-calls are often not shown in the stadium.
The 21,189 fans reported at Saturday's Argos/Blue Bombers game -- some already miffed by the Rogers Centre roof closing -- were denied replays of, among other things. a contentious goal-line interception by Winnipeg (TV replays showed officials got the call right) and a costly roughing penalty that led to the expulsion of Argo E.J. Kuale.
In-game standards are left to individual clubs, but CFL vice-president of football operations Kevin McDonald says the teams are given guidelines. CFL memos read, "Video board operators are not permitted to show replays on the video board in the stadium while a review is in progress. A review begins when the coach throws his challenge flag and ends when the Referee announces the result."
Then there's, "The following incidents must not be replayed on video boards under any circumstances: (a) Altercations between players. (b) Confrontations between game officials, players and/or coaches." The memo sums up by saying, "Common sense should prevail concerning replaying potential controversial officiating decisions. When a penalty has been called, no replays may be shown prior to the Referee announcing the penalty call... Discretion must be exercised by a club if a player's injury is replayed, especially if the injury is severe."
In short, there's room for interpretation, but not a lot. We asked McDonald if the league's ruling was to prevent disruptions at live events from disgruntled crowds. "We're actually not that worried about controversy," McDonald explained Tuesday. "Crowd reaction was not that big a concern in drawing up the guidelines."
The league's greater concern, it turns out, is showing controversial decisions made without any supporting context -- for instance, a TV announcer explaining a decision or the CFL clarifying a rule, something that can happen within the broadcast but is impossible to do for the fans sitting in the stands.
"I would have been okay with the Kuale play being shown (in the stadium)," said McDonald. "But it was at the discretion of the local operator at that moment. We leave those decision to the eight teams. Because he couldn't show anything till after the referees ruled (on Kuale's expulsion), he might simply have not had time before the next play started."
One further issue affecting what replays in-stadium fans see, says McDonald, is the inventory the team has sold or prepared for the scoreboard. "Depending on the team, that can be a lot of planned material that they have to show as part of the game presentation," McDonald says. In other word, a premium on Jumbotron space can also limit whether you see that near-interception or late hit.
Point taken. But individual clubs need to remember that, in the wired age, they ought to give fans reasons to attend, not put up barriers. This isn't soccer, fans won't burn the place down over a replay.
Lid Lifter: As for the roof remaining on the Rogers Centre. McDonald says the decision to close had to be made 24 hours in advance to give air conditioning a chance to work. Once the decision was taken on Friday, it was impossible to reverse even if the weather moderated -- which it did not for Saturday's broiler.
Knocked out: Sadly, it looks as if HBO's Hard Knocks documentary series, the one that inspired the NHL's 24/7 and other insider docs, will be a victim of the NFL's labour disruption. Spokesmen for the NFL and HBO were waiting till the deal was consummated Monday to confirm that we will not have a Rex Ryan boiler marathon this season. As well, despite the runaway success of the project, HBO was having trouble finding a team willing to open itself to scrutiny this season.
When I'm Colin You: "Seattle's quarterbacks are going to be Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. You don't win the Grey Cup with that."-- ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd. Also on players adapting to head hits, Cowherd tells rockheads like James Harrison, "If you can't change, go to the CFL." Wonder if Cowherd has ever seen a CFL game?
Olympic Staffing: The Olympic TV Consortium released the TSN/Rogers Sportsnet hosts for next summer's London Olympics. One major change from Vancouver sees CTV's Lisa LaFlamme, who teamed well with James Duthie in Vancouver, moving to the national news anchor chair to replace Lloyd Robertson. So Duthie gets Jennifer Hedger in the CTV daytime anchor position. Although it won't seem right unless Jon Montgomery waltzes in with a pitcher of beer.
For CTV, Brian Williams anchors prime time as he has done since every Olympics since Baron de Coubertin was lighting the flame. Okay, it just seems that way. Darren Dutchyshen hosts TSN's prime time while Brad Fay gets the big comfy chair in Sportsnet's prime time.