Re: Orridge Steps Down as CFL Commissioner
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 12:04 pm
Without knowing what went on in the boardroom, I thought Orridge did a good job of identifying and tackling some of the key issues facing the game, specifically efforts to broaden the fan base to a younger, digitally savvy generation. The league and the teams vastly improved their digital presence in recent years through enhanced website content and social media exposure. The Thursday NIght Football venture, while not popular with season ticket holders in many markets, was used effectively to reach out to a new generation of fans by showing young people having fun in the stands. The inaugural CFL Week, an idea credited to Orridge, appears to have been a resounding success.
I don't know of any ex-players who might be qualified for the commissioner's job. It requires more than an appreciation and love of the game. It requires someone with savvy legal, marketing and sponsorship experience.
In an era of cable cord-cutting and cutbacks by media organizations, including Bell Media, parent of TSN, the next TV contract may not be as lucrative as the current deal. Ticket sales are threatened by the emergence of HDTV, which gives viewers at home superior exposure to players, game action and analysis, and a great excuse to forgo the game-day hassle and expenses of commuting, parking, tickets and concessions. The two biggest challenges of the next commissioner are to broaden the reach of the game through live streaming and to work with teams to bolster attendance by enhancing the live-game experience for fans inside and outside the stadiums
Someone floated the name of Wayne Parrish, former Canada Basketball CEO and Postmedia COO, as a possible successor to Orridge. He appears to have a solid background and experience for the job, and was at the forefront of the digital media transformation. I hope the board is bold enough to seek candidates who can build on Orridge's accomplishments and tackle the new challenges that lie ahead.
Report: Parrish interested in CFL Commissioner post
I don't know of any ex-players who might be qualified for the commissioner's job. It requires more than an appreciation and love of the game. It requires someone with savvy legal, marketing and sponsorship experience.
In an era of cable cord-cutting and cutbacks by media organizations, including Bell Media, parent of TSN, the next TV contract may not be as lucrative as the current deal. Ticket sales are threatened by the emergence of HDTV, which gives viewers at home superior exposure to players, game action and analysis, and a great excuse to forgo the game-day hassle and expenses of commuting, parking, tickets and concessions. The two biggest challenges of the next commissioner are to broaden the reach of the game through live streaming and to work with teams to bolster attendance by enhancing the live-game experience for fans inside and outside the stadiums
Someone floated the name of Wayne Parrish, former Canada Basketball CEO and Postmedia COO, as a possible successor to Orridge. He appears to have a solid background and experience for the job, and was at the forefront of the digital media transformation. I hope the board is bold enough to seek candidates who can build on Orridge's accomplishments and tackle the new challenges that lie ahead.
Report: Parrish interested in CFL Commissioner post