ChoboMog

I've seen a few ads pop up, like this, too. However, this isn't necessarily indicative of the widespread exposure a website like Imgur might otherwise imply. Ad networks, in this case DoubleClick I believe, do a ton of contextual and behavioural targeting based on tracking you as an individual and your unique browsing/viewing behaviour. Watch a few rugby league videos on YouTube, while logged in to Google (which owns DoubleClick), have a cookie or two from browsing websites like TotalRL or the TWP homepage, and they'll notice this and start serving you rugby related ads.. That said, depending on how they have set up and added other keywords/metadata to the campaign, perhaps anyone looking at the Air Transat, Teksavvy, Ticketmaster, or other Toronto sports teams websites might start seeing these, which would be a big deal in terms of getting new people into the game.

Toronto F.C. is already scheduled for league play at BMO Field on April 28, May 4, and May 9, with an additional CONCACAF game possible on April 17/24. I doubt the Wolfpack playing there, on May 5, was ever a realistic option. There is no way that MLSE or the BMO Field grounds crew would have agreed to a less than 24 hour turnaround between soccer and rugby, including the need to repaint lines, followed by a four day turnaround to get the field back into shape all for a single Wolfpack game. The field is already a mess, from both CONCACAF and league play starting so early; and its's doubtful MLSE would even schedule the Argos that tight, and that's for a team they own.

Toronto Wolfpack Confirm Departing Players

I don't think anything needs to change, in terms of things like: Promotion/Relegation; blocks of home/away games; Super8's/playoffs etc. Perhaps, making sure we continue to not have a home game scheduled during the first three or four rounds is smart, given the winter weather. Given the tone of some threads over the past few months, though, making sure a plan is agreed on and in place [stadium upgrades, travel cost coverage (if any) etc) in advance seems important to making it a success and minimizing any disruption/uncertainty. I just hope it all goes smooth and the positive impact continues. With any luck, the successful League 1 season, additional signings, and media coverage make the 8-9000 range typical, the way 6-8000 was this year. Can't wait for the first sellout!

I am of the same mind. The goal is clearly promotion to SL, sooner rather than later, and as things stand they've got a good shot by the end of next year. That said, there's no guarantee and once you're into the Super8's Qualifiers it's a whole new ball game. This is probably a topic for another thread, in order to keep this focused on the signings between now and next season; however, the RFL/SL really needs to make sure it has a plan in place, should Toronto gain promotion for 2019.

I think the assumption was 2019 would see Toronto up into the Super League, and Montreal in League 1, with Barrow playing in the Championship.

If this does happen, it will be one of the following: Montreal, QC -- Large metropolitan population, Canada's second largest behind Toronto; AirTransat's other hub/base of operations, with direct/non-stop flights both to several places in the U.K., and to Toulouse & Marseille in the south of France; the Toronto-Montreal rivalry being so strong, in every sport; Stade Saputo (capacity: 20801; surface: grass), Percival Molson Memorial Stadium (capacity: 23420; surface: FieldTurf), and CEPSUM (capacity: 5100; surface: FieldTurf) all well-established. Halifax, NS -- Much smaller population and lacking the flight connections and rivalry. However, the new stadium would be a perfect size, the flight somewhat shorter, and the city lacks a major professional sports franchise. Quebec City, QC -- Similar to Halifax, above. The English-French Canada rivalry would add to the fun. Stade TELUS-Université Laval (capacity: 12257; surface synthetic turf) would be a good venue. My money is on Montreal; but who knows. Also, the only reason why I see a western Canadian option as doubtful would be travel times and the existing CFL season, which would conflict. I would be happy with any expansion, though.

I have to disagree. If, in 18 months, the top tier has 12-14 teams and a quarter are from outside the U.K., there would actually be many positives: The non-U.K. sides in question will have clearly become relatively permanent fixtures on their home turf, thus demonstrating at least some level of Rugby League's success overseas. Any new teams would provide additional (local/international) professional opportunities. Any Super League teams relegated to the Championship could make that second tier an even more exciting competition; while any non-U.K. sides relegated to the Championship could continue to bring international attention to that level, as opposed to such attention being almost focused exclusively on the top tier. Any Championship squads would have a truly international top tier to which they can aspire. Just imagine the additional competition and drama in the Super8's Qualifiers, if this were the case. The value of TV contracts would only increase with the greater international/intercontinental exposure and audiences. More nations with teams playing means more grassroots development. This, in time, means more homegrown players in these areas and, eventually, more teams which can properly compete with the top dogs in an international Test and/or World Cup. To be honest, if I am allowed to dream, in 50 years time it would be amazing to have a "Super League" with 10-14 teams, half made up from those promoted from a "UK/EU RFL Championship" and half, similarly, promoted from a "NA RFL Championship". The acronyms might need a bit of work; but this could make for an amazing trans-Atlantic top tier competition, all the while maintaining fiercely competitive second tiers on each side of the ocean. I admit, this is an ideal scenario and there will almost certainly be some bumps along the road. I also admit that my views are skewed by the bias and naïvety that comes with being relatively new to Rugby League and a Toronto Wolfpack season ticket holder. That said: Just because the total number of U.K. teams in the Super League might decrease, as might U.K.'s share of teams within that top tier, does not necessarily make for a "weaker game" and could easily make for quite the opposite. Developing, adapting to, and embracing a new (international) normal for the RFL and the game has the potential for a very bright future for all involved.

It's worth pointing out: The linked article is actually content created and syndicated by the Canadian Press, as opposed to original reporting by the Toronto Star. The down side is the Star didn't have their own reporter there, at the ground, that day; but the potentially significant upside is that this content ends up being published on news websites across the country. The Globe and Mail, for example, another newspaper with national reach, has published similar syndicated content, about the Wolfpack, in the past: Toronto Wolfpack Prosper in Debut Season Despite Blows to Small Roster [2017-08-30] I believe the Toronto Sun has, on several occasions, been reporting original content and match reports, in addition to the syndicated Wolfpack content: Wolfpack Back at Home [2017-08-18] On the topic of original content, this morning's article Toronto Wolfpack Calling for Support Ahead of League 1 Decider has made it to the front page of Toronto's FanSided page (Tip of the Tower). When the goal is to build local and national interest, and to grow the game, this type of coverage can't possibly be a bad thing.

Halifax (Nova Scotia) vs. Halifax (West Yorkshire) would be the ideal Canada-U.K. naming conflict with existing RFL teams; and it's not quite as far-fetched as the others, given the 300k+ population, the provincial capital status, the lack of any other major sports team, and given that the Atlantic Schooners (CFL) were almost a thing. I doubt it will ever happen, but it would be pretty sweet.

I have tried to find services to watch NRL and Super League content live, and on demand replays, from Canada; but have yet to find anything. This includes considering the Sportsnet Now, and previously the Sportsnet World, subscription. RugbyPass might work, with a subscription to a VPN with servers both in a locale they serve and with sufficient throughput/response time to stream; but this is almost certainly a violation of their terms of service. Sadly, until something legit comes along, it feels like we're stuck with whatever some user decides to stick on YouTube, Reddit etc.

I apologize for posting this in the General Rugby League Forum, given the Toronto Wolfpack specific nature of the content; but, with so much of the discussion to date revolving around what level of media coverage and other exposure the team is getting locally/nationally, and what potential fan base it may foster in the long run, this will hopefully add to the discussion. The ~3000 word piece is a great read, and interesting in and of itself. The photography is excellent as well. The fact this this type of positive, detailed, original reporting is beginning to reach one of the two national sports specialty networks, either of which are at least as ubiquitous as Sky Sports is in the U.K., is potentially a big deal. In addition: there have been many other media outlets picking up the Canadian Press wire service's frequent coverage; and the country's highest circulation newspaper (Toronto Star) has begun publishing the Kingstone Press League 1 table (alongside those for the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL etc.), both of which should give us some confidence that things are trending in the right direction. Stumbling upon a fairly respectable city centre sports bar playing the Challenge Cup Final, live, and then again on repeat, while I was out for lunch with some friends, kind of feels like the icing on the cake.

It looks like the Tom Armstrong discussion has migrated over to the General Rugby League Forum: http://www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php?/topic/307479-tom-armstrong-to-toronto/ Members there might be able to provide more insight about what we can expect from him; however, from a Wolfpack fan perspective, I'm really starting to wonder, with all of these signings: Is a larger squad simply to be expected, given the additional games and tougher competition, next year, and the inevitable injury substitutions this new normal will require? Are we likely to see anyone be dropped, traded, requesting transfer, or retiring over this off season; and, if so, who? What are our odds of promotion, from Championship, into the Super League, in 2018-19?

Do you happen to know what he said to the crowd, or if there has been any new reporting in addition to the (very well supported and seemingly reliable) speculation, of his TWP signing, back in July? I'm only curious because I missed the Raiders vs Knights live broadcast, with getting up at 4:00AM EDT not being an option today, and the full match replays rarely include the interviews and other post-game commentary. If he is OK to move so far, intends to stay in Toronto "for a few years", and plans to end his career with the team, that's definitely a good sign for the TWP's future and longevity.

The timing is great, on both sides of the Atlantic. 4:30PM EDT is perfect for an afternoon at the field, and would probably have higher attendance than evening games, while 9:30PM BST is perfect for a prime time live match on the TV. If the U.K. games were played a couple of hours later, it might work almost as well in reverse. Early evening at the field and early afternoon on the TV/radio over beer and burgers. A lot of the discussion has relocated to the Toronto Wolfpack specific forum. The perceived negativity/hostility, here, even if only from a vocal minority, has made that venue feel like a better place for some of us new users to get our feet wet.