Pompey Canuck posted on the 24th Minute Blog that Sportsnet has the rights to these matches.  Does Sportsnet actually plan to air the matches on one of their four networks- no.  Duane Rollins reported on the same blog that GolTV tried unsuccessfully to get the rights to air these matches.

What is wrong with Sportsnet and the CSA?  First, the CSA should be doing everything in it’s power to make sure when selling the rights to broadcast Canada’s matches, that they are actually broadcast.  I’m not a TV network sportcasting lawyer, but a bit of common sense would indicate that the CSA TV rights contract should state that if Sportsnet will not air a match they have rights to, they must surrender the rights to that particular match to whichever other network or webhost makes the best offer. If no offers, the CSA should have the right to air the webcast on its website. 

The CSA goal is to promote the game in Canada.  How is this accomplished when our men’s team has NO visibility.  There are hundreds of thousands of children playing soccer in Canada.  It would be nice for some of them to be able to turn on the TV and find a role model wearing a Canadian soccer jersey.  Maybe then they would aspire to playing for our team, as opposed to Bosnia, Holland or England for example.  The Bosnian Men’s national team game tomorrow will actually be available for Canadian viewers to watch.  Granted it’s a big match, but this is Canada.  You would think on Canadian television you would be able to watch Canada before Bosnia.

If you want to complain about this situation and make an effort to get more exposure for the CMNT you can complain here:

Sportsnet:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/contact/

Rogers Sportsnet
One Mount Pleasant Rd.
Toronto, ON
Canada
M4Y 3A1

Phone: 1-888-451-6363

And the CSA:

Richard Scott
rscott@soccercan.ca

Aside from a few bleeps on the map to be heard only by the most ardent fans, consisting of USL1 and bouncing out of World Cup qualifying, there was little to be heard from Canadian soccer fans.

Fast forward to 2005 with the first of several bleeps: MLSE is awarded an MLS franchise for Toronto and a soccer stadium is to be built.

Since 2005, the bleeps have gotten louder and louder:

1) TFC joins the league and to the surprise of some, enjoys enormous success at the box office.

2) Canada hosts the U20 World Cup and sets the record for attendance.

3) Gold Cup- Canada plays marvelous soccer under Steven Hart and gets bounced out at the Semi Finals in a bad call by the ref.

4) First Nutrilite Canadian Championship is played and won by Montreal.

5) Montreal advances deep into the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League Tourney and plays in front of a crowd of nearly 50,000.00 at the Big O in the winter of 2009.

6) Vancouver is awarded an MLS franchise (2011) and strong bids are also advanced by Ottawa and Montreal; with Montreal likely to join the MLS in the next 5 years.

7) Canada fields a strong team in World Cup qualifying but fails miserably under Dale Mitchell and is then finally replaced by Hart.

8 ) 2009- Canada performs well at the Gold Cup but again are knocked out by a referee error.

9 ) Ottawa applies for a USL1 franchise.

9) 2009- An all Canadian USl-1 final between Montreal and Vancouver.

In terms of being a Canadian soccer fan, things are looking good. Plenty to cheer from on the home front at the professional level and a solid core of national team players. Of course, there are concerns such as the ineptitude of the CSA, Hart’s interim status and the fact that we will be watching the World Cup as neutrals once again. But all in all, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic there is good coverage on TV from sportsnet, CBC, the score and the speciality channels for the Canadian teams, top leagues around the world and of course UEFA Champions League.

With this rebirth of Canadian football, or soccer, comes the first post to this blog. The topics will be numerous. The scope vast. Basically, I will be posting on anything that a Canadian soccer fan would be interested in. Whether it’s the upcoming USL1 final between Montreal and Vancouver; TFC’s quest to make the playoffs, following the “real” Champion’s League; watching Ronaldo’s progress with Real Madrid, keeping an eye whether Man City can crack the top 4, whether Man United can hold on to #1, whether Hull City can stay up; if Portugal and Argentina can make the 2010 WC; and whether those pesky vevuzela’s should be banned.

It’s a great time in Canadian soccer, so sit back and enjoy. Any and all comments are welcome, within reasonable limits, of course!