2010: The year we make contact

The movie 2010 is about civilization at a crossroads.  The mission to investigate the monolith discovered near Jupiter, depicted in 2001, was a failure - I mean, the people in the sequel hadn't actually seen the first movie, if you follow me.  They didn't know about the Ballad of Hal and Dave; as far as they knew, things just went bad.

In 2010, a joint USA/USSR (dated, but still) team sets out to investigate the fate of the first investigation.  This is a big deal, as tensions between the two superpowers are extraordinarily high - war seems likely.  The irony of being on the verge of a huge and profound discovery about the nature of life and the universe, while moments away from blowing ourselves up, is humbling.  It rings true even today, the "real" 2010, even if it's no longer the Russians who might push the button first.  Or second. 

What does that have to do with football?  2010 is a pivotal season for the CFL, which also finds itself at a crossroads.  Just as mankind was on the verge of Something Big while simultaneously about to destroy itself, so is the CFL. 

Let's look at CFL's Something Big first. 

In many respects, the CFL hasn't been this healthy since the early 1970s.  TV ratings are soaring, eclipsing those of the NFL in Canada - not that the Toronto media ever cares to report this.  Aside from a genuine mess in Toronto, none of the teams seems on the verge of collapse - one team in trouble, by the CFL's standards, is no problem at all. 

What's more, the league may be on the threshold of a construction boom.  The CFL hasn't seen any new stadiums since 1989, when SkyDome opened.  There are significant renovations underway in Vancouver, and new stadiums are in the works in Winnipeg and Regina - which may well get RETRACTABLE DOMES. 

Let's pause to let that sink in.  In 1989, this was beyond state-of-the-art.  In 2010, it's potentially viable in Regina.  That's not a knock on Saskatchewan, but a reflection of how far the CFL has come in the 21 years since. 

In all, six of nine CFL cities (which includes Ottawa, more on this anon) are likely to build or significantly renovate their facilities in the next five years. 

What's more, expansion is (finally) a realistic possibility.  What's more, there's genuine and heated competition to be the CFL's 10th franchise - Ottawa being the obvious and official ninth.  Quebec, Halifax, and Moncton all make good cases; if the CFL doesn't mind an odd number of teams, there's no reason not to look forward to teams in Quebec and one of the two Maritime cities. 

That's the good news.  That's the CFL's monolith, and the promise of Something Big.  But like the film 2010, the CFL in 2010 may not get there, because it might just blow itself up first. 

First, there's the mess in Toronto.  I'm not as concerned as some about this - the Argos have proven far more durable than the city's media make it out to be (or would prefer), and the NFL's dabbling in the market has been a disappointment at best. 

More dangerous is the prospect of a work stoppage.  The CFL's agreement with the CFLPA is about to expire, and the two sides aren't exactly on the same page.  I could explain the details, but what's the point?  As always, it's about money, and how to divide the pie. 

Some have commented that this isn't such a dire threat.  The NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL have all survived work stoppages, and so have smaller-scale leagues like Arena Football.  That's missing the point. 

A large (if underappreciated) part of the CFL's renaissance has been NOT being like the others.  Its players are accessible.  Tickets are affordable.  Every single game is on basic cable.  These are not arrogant millionaires, but regular guys who happen to be phenomenally talented athletes.  I dig that, and so do a lot of other Canadians.  The rising attendance and ratings say so. 

So no, a work stoppage wouldn't be business as usual for the CFL.  It's a dire, existential threat, much like nuclear war. 

Let's hope the two sides sort it out - even if they have to go to Jupiter.