The CFL is a unique, ticket-driven league.
Fans, and by extension media, have a lot of clout. That’s why there was a significant move made by the Eskimos today.
GM Ed Hervey was fired a year-and-a-half after the Eskimos won the Grey Cup in 2015.
That’s not the norm in pro sports. Team President Len Rhodes made it clear the product on the field matters, but so does access. Access to players and coaches has to be number two on the priority list, after winning.
That appears to be where Hervey and his boss differed.
There is lots of competition for the entertainment dollar, especially in NHL cities. The Oilers are winning, the team has a new face for the franchise in Connor McDavid and have a state-of-the-art arena.
In order for the Esks to compete, everyone in the organization has to be interactive with the ticket-buyers.
The great thing about the CFL is the stars are accessible. Hervey couldn’t, or perhaps chose not to, grasp that concept.