OverDrive - Johnston on the CFL rule changes, the field look and announcements comings

Episode Date: September 22, 2025

CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston joined OverDrive to discuss the significant CFL changes, the timing of the decision for the league, how the rule changes impact the organization, the field modifications, the future of the league, the response to player comments and more.

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Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell, Internet, just got better. Here he is, the Commissioner of the Canadian Football League, Stu Johnston. Go ahead, Stu. Where were you Friday night? We were down at Bimo Field. Look at this, putting you right on the hot seat. First question, ridiculous, Jamie.

You know I would never big-time you. There was only one thing that could tear me away from being there, overdrive on the field, you saving Commonwealth Stadium. Only one thing could have kept me from that, and it was a wonderful reason. I was in Hamilton attending the Canadian Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies with the most worthy recipients, amazing array of incredible players and builders, giving heartfelt speeches that maybe went a little long and prevented me from a hard drive up to KiwiW to, I was hoping to get to the game for the 4th, order, but just ran out of time.

Well, that's understandable. I guess a Hall of Fame makes sense over us clowns being down at Bimo. It sounded like it was a great night. I know the nail gun was down there. Dave Nailor sent us a note last week, said he couldn't be here. Yeah, it was great to see it as well in terms of what was going on in Hamilton on the Saturday night. It was a great weekend in Canadian Football League.

And then, you know, the big, I guess the press release last night that you were going to have a press conference today with, you know, major news announcements. and I would suggest they are, these rule changes that will be put in place in 26 and then in 27. I think one thing that popped in my mind that I wanted to ask you, which I will hear, Stu, is like why now? This feels like it could have been a great Cup week announcement, maybe into the off season. Why did it feel necessary to release this news and make these rule changes today? Well, you know, Brian, we've been working for months on these doing a ton of background. on work, a core team that was all sworn oath to secrecy as we looked at the stats,

the data analytics, the football operations, and got to the point where, A, we presented a package to the board who approved it unanimously a couple of weeks ago, and B, thought, you know what, why wait? Look, you know, I think it's hard to deny that we've created some attention. we've created a whole lot of discussion and I love that so we wanted to a just seize the moment we're here we've done the work

why sit on it and then secondly when you're talking about pretty major infrastructure changes to the field giving a year and a half notice that this is what we're looking at this is what we're working on with turf and post footings and paint

on fields and so forth getting all our teams available to just work through the infrastructure. I want to give them as much time as possible. And then, and then kind of lastly, you know, if you think about amateur football, use for all of the umbrellas of amateur football underneath football Canada, let's give them a year and a half to think about it. There's, there's, you know, nothing says that they will adopt these same changes. However, if they are inclined to align with this vision, I think a year and a half is a good amount of time to try and work through

that and then guys you know me i i try and work with with with pace and urgency and this isn't going to be the last announcement we make it is the last announcement for now that we're making on rule changes um but we're pushing forward we want to take this league and and move it to another level and i'm incredibly confident that we can do that so stewie you've got a real passionate fan base and you just talked about it as you you can imagine. I mean, it's landed, and there are some people that maybe are early on critics of it. What do you say to them? Is it something that you're just trying to build the league, build the league out, and grow the fan base, but there's some traditionalists that

are voicing their opinions and where are you at with that? Well, Jamie, I think it depends on what the critique is, but if it's in general, hey, we don't like change, but I get it. Change is hard. yeah no nobody really likes change except for maybe wet babies right that this is it's a very difficult thing to kind of change especially things that have been around for a while having said that what i would say is if anyone's critiquing that they're worried we're transitioning to a more american style game i i point to what really defines us as a comedian football league and in any brand of football.

I do think it's three downs, 12 players of 65-yard-wide field, big end zone, motion, yard off the ball, five yards on catches, all of that. Like, that's all in play. What we're trying to do here is create a plane surface

or, as I said in the press conference, a canvas that really is going to allow the Canadian game to flourish even more. So if there's If there's doubts that this is, you know, that's the intention. I can just say with all sincerity. That's what we think we're going to have more touchdown scored.

We're going to have a safer field. We're going to have a better presentation for our broadcaster and our fans. We're going to take some idiosyncrasies out that I think don't make sense. All of that, that's what this was. With Stuart Johnston, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League, one of the critics would be Nathan Rourke. I'm sure you're aware of his comments from earlier today. he might be your MOP this year

he's a Canadian from Oakville and to my knowledge it sounds like what he's really disturbed with was that the players weren't consulted is that accurate and how do you respond to Nathan

first off Nathan is a superstar in our league and I think he's having a historic season and I will tell you when he on a personal level I was such a fan of his his first time around in BC

and then when he tried his hand in the NFL I was cheering so hard for him I felt like if he could just get his opportunity he would show the world just what an amazing player he is and then of course selfishly I'm thrilled he's back in Canada

and having a season like he is which is awesome so look Nathan of course is an important important voice in the league and I know he's busy preparing for actual games. So when the time is right, I would love to connect with Nathan

and walk him through kind of the reasoning behind what we're doing and also kind of the really core group of a lot of football experts that were involved in looking at this. And so I'm confident, I'm incredibly confident that these are the right moves for the league. But, of course, I respect anyone's opinion, whether it's Nathan Work or a passionate season ticket holder. I want to listen to what they have to say and hopefully be able to explain, you know, the reasoning and the process that we went through. Well, and I think what you said is, you know, very important and accurate.

Like the quintessential Canadian elements of the game are still here with three downs, most importantly. I think that's what I've always, you know, that's how I would distinguish the difference between Canadian and American football is three downs. but like you mentioned, 12 guys on the field, motion, you know, a wide field. And, you know, let's be, I don't think any of us need to be naive here, still. This is about finding new fans, you know, the steadfast fans, they're going to be here. They may be aggravated in some ways, but they love the Canadian Football League, continue to commit. How much do you think this is going to, how many new fans do you think could arrive due to these new rules?

and if it's not as many as you'd hope, how much further are you willing to go to find new fans? Well, I think that first off, I'd say that these changes are going to be very effective in bringing the entertainment value of our game to an even higher level for both existing fans and new fans. I think any football fan is going to say, hey, I don't have a giant metal obstruction in the middle of my view of the most important area of the field.

I think that's going to go over well with everybody. And I think that when we show highlights of amazing touchdowns or interceptions in the end zone that aren't blocked by that obstruction, I think that's going to go over well with everybody. But this is just one step. this is so Brian to answer your question this isn't done to narrowly you know narrow in on a specific objective of attracting new fans we think it will but really not the primary objective the primary objective is clean our canvas up to allow these athletes to shine and we think this will do it we think it's going to create a really great brand of football and I think it's going to be

exciting for new and old but this can only be step one this has to be part of a series of of opportunities we need to explore to really win in the attention economy. You and Jamie have to do that every day. You have to win in the attention economy. Well, so do we as a lead. And that's kind of our thought process as we drive all aspects of our business forward. Well, it was a major announcement. That is for sure.

And like you said, it's created quite the buzz throughout the Canadian sports scene. and we wish you nothing but success like we always do. Congrats on this. And I'm sure we'll catch up well before the Great Cup. Thank you for those. I'll look forward to it. Thanks, guys. There's Stuart Johnston, the commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

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