CFL 2024 season

[thurmas]

3downnation reporting New England Patriots have claimed Nathan Rourke off waivers from Jacksonville hopefully he has a better chance in New England next year otherwise I would think he comes back to CFL.

[zoomer]

Wow, big news!

I wonder if they’ll trade him back to Jacksonville for a mid round draft pick if Lawrence is out next weekend with the concussion. Bad timing for the Jaguars to waive Rourke 24 hours before Lawrence being hurt. Thinking New England is being opportunistic because otherwise why didn’t they claim Rourke the other two waives. Rourke is better than the bottom 1/3 of NFL quarterbacks with potential to climb higher. He has much better football sense than a lot of them which are just bumbling around right now.

Edit: Ah, I see New England had a couple practice roster QBs sign elsewhere, so perhaps they do intend to keep him.

[thurmas]

I think Rourke stays in New England for a bit as Mac Jones will be out this off season and Zappe is trash. With Bellichick likely being let go and the need to draft a franchise QB Rourke might be on the move again next year but that's the gamble you make trying to crack the NFL. I do agree Rourke is better than many NFL starters and likely could have had similar success to Joe Flacco in Cleveland if say a team like Pittsburgh had tried trading for him earlier this year.

[TimB09]

Wow, big news!

I wonder if they’ll trade him back to Jacksonville for a mid round draft pick if Lawrence is out next weekend with the concussion. Bad timing for the Jaguars to waive Rourke 24 hours before Lawrence being hurt. Thinking New England is being opportunistic because otherwise why didn’t they claim Rourke the other two waives. Rourke is better than the bottom 1/3 of NFL quarterbacks with potential to climb higher. He has much better football sense than a lot of them which are just bumbling around right now.

Edit: Ah, I see New England had a couple practice roster QBs sign elsewhere, so perhaps they do intend to keep him.

Trade deadline is also over in the NFL so he's with them for the rest of the season and HAS to stay on the main roster. So he'll make a good chunk of change too!

[elly63]

FWIW, I sent out some emails to reporters to see why there has been no news or coverage regarding if Rob Steele (or Stingray) is or isn't potentially the new owner of the Atlantic Canada franchise.

Of course I don't expect anything to come of it but one would hope there would at least be some coverage of the CFL Board of Governor's meeting of which I reminded them.

Really don't understand why there has been no coverage, it's a great story, unless there is no story, which is still a story :)

[craner]

I sure hope Rourke gets a legit shot in the NFL - with all the injuries to QBs it feels like he should.

[elly63]

Revisit to a Blast From the Past (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9700382&postcount=927) with new found (old) information.

Can-Am Bowl I, 1/8/78 (http://tampasportshistory.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-am-bowl-i-1879.html)
Travis Puterbaugh Tampa Sports History January 14, 2008

Blast from the past: The CAN/AM Bowl (http://jimmullinnow.blogspot.com/2014/01/blast-from-past-canam-bowl.html)

From time to time I like to go down memory lane on here. Today, after seeing an Edmonton Journal post on the 1978 CAN/AM Bowl in Tampa, I'd like to share a selection from Jeff Morcom's Unofficial CIS Almanac on the two college all-star games played under Canadian rules in Florida between the CIAU and NCAA.

https://i.imgur.com/Nnwo1mr.jpg
Jamie Bone stands his ground in the second CAN/AM Bowl at Tampa Stadium in 1979

January 5, 1978

TAMPA, FLA (CP) – All the concern being voiced about Canada’s chances against Division I United States college stars in Sunday’s inaugural Can-Am Bowl football game at Tampa Stadium is of little interest to the Canadians.

“The only difference between Division I and Division II players is the amount of money the school can throw into the athletic program – certainly not the talent” says John Priestner. The 19-year-old linebacker with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs was reacting to reports of the game organizers hoodwinking Canadian officials by supplementing their lineup with personnel from Division I schools.

Initial plans for the international match, expected to become an annual game, called for the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union to face a lineup of Division II and III players. The game will be carried nationally on CBC television starting at 12 p.m. CDT. “The players that would be coming from Division II will be drafted just as high as the Division I players here” Priestner said, “So I don’t think it’s going to make any difference whatsoever.”

Glen Wallace, a 28-year-old running back with British Columbia Thunderbirds and the greybeard of the game, is also one of the shortest. At 5’8” and 185 pounds, he’s more concerned about getting his timing down at three backfield positions – slotback, halfback, and fullback – than he is about the size of his opponents or their scholastic status. “It’s tough enough worrying about three positions without concerning myself with the opposition” said Wallace “But just for the record, I don’t think it really makes all that much difference. I feel the guys they’d have sent here from Division II schools have the same kind of talent as the guys they have here – no better, no worse.”

Bob Cameron of Acadia Axemen, who will direct the Canadian collegiate fortunes in the game along with Jamie Bone of Western Mustangs, admits he’s not overly awed by the big, mobile defensive front four he’ll be facing, nor the linebacking brigade that averages 6’3” and 245 pounds apiece. The fact all three starting linebackers played the line through their college careers doesn’t lessen their potential in Cameron’s eyes.

Cameron, the CIAU’s top player in 1977, has aspirations of making it in the pro leagues, either in the CFL or as a punter in the National Football League. He’s had the pro scouts timing his punts here this week. “I’ve had tryouts at pro camps, and run into a lot of big and tough American linemen,” says the Dundas, Ont. native. “But they can be beat. What we do have in our favour is the extra days of practice. We’ve had 10 workouts while they’ve had five. And they’ve got to adjust to Canadian rules. I think we’ll do a job on them.”

The only injuries of concern in the Canadian camp are hamstring pulls suffered by both Priestner and wide receiver Bob Stracina, the Hec Crighton winner in 1976. Stracina hobbled through Thursday’s workouts, but Priestner continued to limp along the sidelines as he has done since suffering the injury the first day of training. Both are expected to dress for Sunday’s game.

Priestner, especially, wants to play because he envisages a career in the NFL, although he’s only in his second year at Western. Most of the scouts here for both NFL and CFL teams are more interested in the seniors, but John says he hopes his play Sunday will rate some attention. “I want to play in the NFL, preferably as a linebacker.” The rangy 227-pounder is rated among the top two or three defensive players in the CIAU ranks. John fashions his play along the lines of NFL linebacker Jack Lambert of Pittsburgh Steelers, and admits that while Lambert may be a little taller, “I’m probably still growing.”

[elly63]

https://i.imgur.com/TBeptzD.png

https://i.imgur.com/XNN9wWS.png

Can/Am Bowl January 6, 1979
Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Fla, USA
Attendance: 11 033
United States 34, Canada 14

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
USA- TD T Stephens 7 pass from Marler (Yepremian kick)
CAN- TD Reid 14 pass from Bone (Gulyes kick)

2nd Quarter
CAN- ROUGE Cameron
USA- TD Cox 34 pass from Marler (Yepremian kick)

3rd Quarter
USA- TD Cox 36 pass from Marler (Yepremian kick)

4th Quarter
USA- TD Laetsch 9 pass from Rader (Yepremian kick)
USA- TD Matthews 58 PR
CAN- TD Bone 1 run

https://i.imgur.com/x4cODa1.png

[thurmas]

Elks just signed Macleod Bethel Thompson to 1 year deal and will release Cornelius before his $100,000 roster bonus is due as per reports from 3downnation and tsn.

[Coldrsx]

^I am ok with that.
---
https://www.goelks.com/schedule

[ScreamingViking]

I hope Jones still gives Ford a good amount of playing time behind MBT. He's got real talent, and his playing style is a nice complementary change-up to Bethel-Thompson's.


The Ticats will have Mitchell back on a restructured and much cheaper deal.
https://3downnation.com/2024/01/04/bo-levi-mitchell-accepts-pay-cut-to-remain-with-ticats/

I think we will being saying bye-bye to Matt Shiltz. He's been a good backup, but that is all. Powell has a much bigger upside, and I'd aim to keep Locksley around just for his versatility though I don't think he'll ever be a full-time starter in the league. Letting Shiltz walk will also be a vote of confidence in BLM, who must really be onto his last chance now.

This will all free up money to make improvements across the rest of the roster.


And rest in peace former Hamilton rusher Willie Bethea.
https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/ticats-legend-willie-bethea-dead-at-85/

[thurmas]

Bombers just traded Dru Brown to Ottawa for a 5th round pick hopefully he gets to start there. Bombers also announced IG field will get new turf this season.

[TimB09]

Bombers just traded Dru Brown to Ottawa for a 5th round pick hopefully he gets to start there. Bombers also announced IG field will get new turf this season.

He'll push Crum and Masoli. Love to see it.

[elly63]

Bombers also announced IG field will get new turf this season.FieldTurf Vertex Core 1, wlth CoolPlay TPE infill, FIFA Quality Pro certified in May 2024.

That is long past due, they got 12 years out of the first one.

October 2012 Winnipeg - FieldTurf Revolution 1US (installed previous to opening in 2013) (FIFA Approved)

[thurmas]

Looks like CFL expansion to Atlantic Canada a no go for the next while I guess with no real progress made it seems based on this 3downation report? It seems just too hard to get a stadium built there or anywhere in Canada really unless it is tied into hosting either an Olympics, Pan Am Games or Commonwealth Games and I do not foresee Halifax bidding on one soon. Best to strengthen the existing 9 CFL teams I guess.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/25/ambrosies-cfl-expansion-update-far-from-encouraging/

Randy Ambrosie’s CFL expansion update far from encouraging

The CFL doesn’t appear to have made any inroads regarding expansion since the league’s Touchdown Atlantic game in Halifax this past summer.

“We’re certainly not giving up on Atlantic Canada, not by any stretch, but at some point you have to say, ‘OK, we’ve kind of done all that we can do,'” league commissioner Randy Ambrosie told The Waggle.

“I hope that Atlantic Canadians and certainly Atlantic Canadian sports fans would say that we’ve shown a lot of love to that region. I’ve made it clear that we would like to be there. I think that the region now has to find a way to pull us in if in fact that’s part of our destiny.”

Ambrosie touted the presence of multiple interested ownership groups ahead of Touchdown Atlantic this past season, a neutral-site game in July that drew a sold-out crowd of 11,555 to Huskies Stadium in Halifax. At the time, he claimed “there’s probably never been a better chance” for the league to expand to the Maritimes.

Ahead of the Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ambrosie indicated that a “highly engaged, very qualified” potential owner had emerged as a leading contender in Halifax, though he didn’t identify the individual(s) involved. He made no mention of the mystery suitor in his recent interview with the league’s official podcast.

The CFL hosted Touchdown Atlantic games in Nova Scotia in 2022 and 2023, continuing a seven-game series that started in 2005. The contests took place at Huskies Stadium at Saint Mary’s University, Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium at the University of Moncton, and Raymond Field at Acadia University.

The league’s desire to expand out east long predates the neutral-site series, dating back over four decades. Ambrosie made it clear that expansion remains one of the league’s top goals, though it doesn’t appear close to happening anytime soon. Quebec City is often cited as another potential expansion site, though Ambrosie said the league has had no formal discussions with the Quebec capital.

“It’s a priority that’s not of my own making, this is a priority that our governors have asked me to embrace and I certainly have. I really believe there’s an opportunity for expansion,” said Ambrosie. “If it’s not [in Atlantic Canada], we are talking about building a plan to have a conversation in other markets. Certainly, one market that everyone thinks about is Quebec City with all of the success they’ve had in sports in general, the success they’ve had with the (Laval) Rouge et Or.”

“There’s a great football culture in Quebec City, one of the strongest amateur football communities in all of Canada is in Quebec City. There are lots of reasons to like it as a market but we’re going to take a carpenter’s expression: ‘Measure twice and cut once.’ So, we’re gonna take a measure twice and cut once approach and then, at the appropriate time, have conversations there.”

The league is hosting its first-ever Touchdown Pacific game this summer as the B.C. Lions will host the Ottawa Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. on Aug. 31. Capacity for the event is expected to be between 10,000 and 14,000, including standing room.

Though the league clearly won’t be expanding anytime soon, it appears its Touchdown series could be heading to new sites in the near future. A city councilor from Windsor-Essex has been open about courting the league for a one-off game with Ambrosie indicating that at least one other city has expressed serious interest as well.

“We’re also having conversations with other markets who have put up their hand and asked us about the possibility of bringing our Touchdown game to other markets. I’ve had two unsolicited conversations from Canadian cities that have said, ‘Hey, how about us for Touchdown games?’ That’s exciting as well and something that I’m looking forward to pursuing,” said Ambrosie.

“Going to Victoria is going to be I think an exciting thing to be part of. Shout-out to (Lions’ owner) Amar Doman and (Lions’ president and chief operating officer) Duane Vienneau for putting up their hand and wanting to do that, I was there in December for the announcement. There’s incredible enthusiasm in that market to see a CFL game in Victoria, so that’s an event I’m looking forward to.”

Expansion would help solve the CFL’s problems with awkward scheduling and uneven divisions while also providing additional opportunities to increase television and betting revenue. Despite the league’s efforts out east, it doesn’t appear a tenth team is on the horizon anytime soon.

[blueandgoldguy]

No surprise. It's been clear for some time that Halifax would not be viable for a CFL expansion team. Even if the $60 million of funding that was being bandied about a few years ago was still on the table, it wouldn't even be enough to build a 10,000 seat grandstand similar to the one in Hamilton. That doesn't even factor in the millions of dollars in costs for the field and infrastructure at field level nor the temp stands that would have to be constructed on the opposite side.

Of more immediate concern are the dilapidated stadium in Calgary which other than the dressing room, has seen no substantial infrastructure improvements in nearly 40 years and Montreal's cramped Percival Molson stadium. The owner there has expressed interest in making improvements, but talk is cheap. We will see if he actually follows through with any of his own money.

[elly63]

The owner there has expressed interest in making improvements, but talk is cheap. We will see if he actually follows through with any of his own money.He bought a new scoreboard (that was delayed in shipping) they don't give those away. I'm not worried about Montreal but I also wouldn't be excited about putting money into a building I don't own or control.

But that 3DN story told us nothing, it was a rehash of the nothing stories from before. Did the prospective owner walk away, dd the league, the city? Garbage. They could have asked the question and written Ambrosie refused to answer and there wasn't even that, just a bunch of nothingness that even AI could have thrown together.

[Justanothermember]

Halifax being a viable market isn't the problem. The problem is getting a stadium in place for a team. THAT is the issue at play. Solve that problem and a franchise will follow suit shortly after. I'm confident of that.

[jonny24]

Halifax being a viable market isn't the problem. The problem is getting a stadium in place for a team. THAT is the issue at play. Solve that problem and a franchise will follow suit shortly after. I'm confident of that.

For most businesses, "viable" would include being able to make a return after paying to build the infrastructure the business requires. :shrug:

Most businesses are "viable" if someone hands you a facility.

[ScreamingViking]

For most businesses, "viable" would include being able to make a return after paying to build the infrastructure the business requires. :shrug:

Most businesses are "viable" if someone hands you a facility.

Yep. New stadium paid for by government and suddenly the Ticats seem to be making money, or are at least out of financial danger (we will never know given private ownership, but it looks like they're at the point of making "tweaks" to add a few bucks to gameday revenue).

We treat sports franchises differently than other businesses. The U.S. is especially extreme in this. I wonder... how is it typically handled elsewhere in the world?

[Coldrsx]

Doesn't Halifax, er Nova Scotia, ER the Maritimes need an 'event centre'?

[ScreamingViking]

Doesn't Halifax, er Nova Scotia, ER the Maritimes need an 'event centre'?

Yes.

And it's too bad the Commonwealth Games bid died. That would have provided lasting benefits.

[blueandgoldguy]

Halifax being a viable market isn't the problem. The problem is getting a stadium in place for a team. THAT is the issue at play. Solve that problem and a franchise will follow suit shortly after. I'm confident of that.

To be clear, I am saying Halifax is not viable because they do not have a viable pro sports stadium to house a CFL team. It has nothing to do with the market itself.

They have had 40 years to solve the problem and they haven't gotten anywhere. In all likelihood, there will be an announcement of a permanent 10,000 or so seat soccer stadium in the coming years and that will put the kibosh on any potential CFL expansion team.

[Justanothermember]

To be clear, I am saying Halifax is not viable because they do not have a viable pro sports stadium to house a CFL team. It has nothing to do with the market itself.

They have had 40 years to solve the problem and they haven't gotten anywhere. In all likelihood, there will be an announcement of a permanent 10,000 or so seat soccer stadium in the coming years and that will put the kibosh on any potential CFL expansion team.

This is what I was referring to as well, but a few didn't seem to understand that :)

[elly63]

This is what I was referring to as well, but a few didn't seem to understand that A few also don't seem to understand a popup, modular stadium has already been proven and can be used to prove the viability of a franchise while details of a more permanent structure are planned.

We've seen the proof of the stadium and Ambrosie broached the concept of trying it. They don't need to wait for Halifax to build a large permanent structure to get the project moving, they need an owner, the rest will follow.

As for the Commonwealth Games, while it would have been great to have built a stadium then, the costs of staging the games were outrageous. Halifax was right to get out.

[thurmas]

Strevler back with the Bombers signing one year deal.

[khabibulin]

Strevler back with the Bombers signing one year deal.

And Brady signed a 2 year contract with the Bombers. According to TSN he will receive $230K in 2024 and $240K in 2025.

[khabibulin]

Bombers have announced they have signed Schoen to a one year deal. He will reportedly earn $230K in 2024.

Only sour note of the day for the Bombers is that Demerio Houston was signed to a 2 year contract by Calgary for $275K over the 2 years.

[blueandgoldguy]

Bombers have announced they have signed Schoen to a one year deal. He will reportedly earn $230K in 2024.

Only sour note of the day for the Bombers is that Demerio Houston was signed to a 2 year contract by Calgary for $275K over the 2 years.

Nothing sour about that. Houston was a highly overrated defensive back who was frequently targeted by the opposition and burned for large gains on a frequent basis. Losing Hardwick on the O-line hurts more even with a slight decline in his play as the season progressed.

[khabibulin]

Nothing sour about that. Houston was a highly overrated defensive back who was frequently targeted by the opposition and burned for large gains on a frequent basis. Losing Hardwick on the O-line hurts more even with a slight decline in his play as the season progressed.

I agree about his weakness for giving up big plays. However his 7 picks and 3 fumble recoveries will be missed.

[ScreamingViking]

Just remember that all these players being "signed" to play in a different city have only agreed to the terms of a deal... they can still be re-signed by the team they played with last year, and based on the way the rules of this period are explained it sounds like players can receive offers from multiple teams or decline them and explore free agency in earnest when it begins. What's unclear to me is whether "agree to terms" means that's the only offer that will be the alternative on the table when the players huddle with their previous team, because we haven't seen news of more than one team making an offer to a player.

In that opening seven-day window, teams can make a formal offer to any pending free agent. That offer must be registered with the CFL office and the CFLPA. Offers made in the window are considered binding and cannot be rescinded.

When the window closes on Feb. 12, pending free agents move into an exclusive 48-hour negotiating window with the teams that hold their present contracts. At that time, every club in the league will be provided with the registered offers the pending free agents have received. Teams have until 10 a.m. ET Feb. 14 to make an offer to their pending free agents, including a copy of it to go to the league office and the CFLPA.

Pending free agents will then have from 10 a.m to noon ET on Feb. 14 to accept any offers that have been made to them by any club. If the player chooses to not accept any of those offers, they officially become free agents at 12:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 14. Any prior offers made are deemed to be withdrawn. When the free agent market opens, contract offers no longer need to be provided to the CFL or CFLPA.

Let’s use Trevor Harris as an example in this year’s process.

On Feb. 5 at noon ET, he’ll be able talk with any team in the league about what they can offer him. At any point in the week, a team can make him a formal offer. It would be registered with the league and the CFLPA and would be considered binding.

On Feb. 12 at noon ET, the negotiation window will close and Harris enters into a 48-hour window where he can exclusively talk with the Alouettes, who will be aware of any of the formal offers made to him in the previous week. If Harris doesn’t have interest in any of the offers he’s received, he can become an official free agent at 12:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 14, free to sign with any team of his choosing.
https://www.cfl.ca/2023/01/30/free-agency-negotiation-window-opens-feb-5/

[Acajack]

https://twitter.com/MTLAlouettes/status/1757079580203004163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1757079580203004163%7Ctwgr%5E222249b668fb34b5caa2742b9e499b27b86efb5e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.journaldemontreal.com%2F2024%2F02%2F12%2Fles-alouettes-defient-les-chiefs

[Coldrsx]

Given the current state of blatant consumerism, I could see this happening.

[craner]

CFL Free Agency

http://https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/cfln-insiders-020924~2864732 (https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/cfln-insiders-020924~2864732)

[Hawrylyshyn]

Former coach sues Toronto Argonauts, QB Chad Kelly for wrongful termination, harassment (https://3downnation.com/2024/02/22/former-coach-sues-toronto-argonauts-qb-chad-kelly-for-wrongful-termination-harassment/)

"The Toronto Argonauts and reigning league MOP quarterback Chad Kelly are being sued by a former female strength and conditioning coach for alleged wrongful dismissal and harassment, according to TSN reporter Rick Westhead.

She was not identified in the report by Westhead in accordance with TSN policy. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, February 21 with the Ontario Superior Court located in Toronto. The former coach alleges Kelly repeatedly harassed her and the team fired her after she rejected his advances..."

What an asshole. Hopefully there's a suspension for Kelly, at least until this goes through the legal system.

[ScreamingViking]

If true, Murphy is an ass too. While this all needs to be proven in court, you just don't do or say these things -- they've always been wrong, but society in general doesn't tolerate them now nor sweep them under the rug. I don't understand why that hasn't gotten through to people.

At this point, she informed Mujtaba and assistant general manager John Murphy about the prior interaction. Murphy allegedly stated she “opened a can of worms that didn’t need to be opened.”

Murphy was reinstated to work in the CFL with the Argos last season after serving an indefinite suspension from the league for a physical altercation with a fan following the 2021 Eastern Final.

[Coldrsx]

https://cdn.skyrisecities.com/forum/attachments/screenshot-2024-02-29-at-9-11-10%E2%80%AFpm-png.544635/
https://am.ticketmaster.com/eeft/promotional-page?id=NzIx

[EpicPonyTime]

Elks announced today that they are seeking private ownership for the first time.

I understand why, but absolutely hate it. Everyone who has sat on the Board in the past decade should be banished to High Level for how badly they've fucked up the team's fortunes.

[ScreamingViking]

https://cdn.skyrisecities.com/forum/attachments/screenshot-2024-02-29-at-9-11-10%E2%80%AFpm-png.544635/
https://am.ticketmaster.com/eeft/promotional-page?id=NzIx

Those older shoulder pads. Wow.

Vintage Joe Montford: (or Mumford, if you're Glen Suitor)
https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/4401740954001/af28704a-9cd3-4fa5-b667-3a227fdaba2c/f0e67e9f-b8d0-41c3-8db8-47b64bb74592/1920x1080/match/image.jpg
Source (https://www.cfl.ca/2018/08/23/oleary-montford-proud-inducted-ticats-wall-honour/)

Vintage Grover Covington:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Grover_Covington.jpg
Source (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Covington)

[Coldrsx]

Elks announced today that they are seeking private ownership for the first time.

I understand why, but absolutely hate it. Everyone who has sat on the Board in the past decade should be banished to High Level for how badly they've fucked up the team's fortunes.

It's absurd how mismanaged and disgraceful the leadership has been over the last call it debate.

We gave up our tickets a few years ago due to the neglect and lack of oversight.

[ScreamingViking]

We gave up our tickets a few years ago due to the neglect and lack of oversight.

Seems to be the main impetus for change. Not that private ownership is a panacea, but if the relative improvements seen in BC, Toronto, Montreal, etc. can be replicated then a storied franchise may be reborn.

Still, while I've been a lifelong Ticats fan who has remained so through awful ownership/management regimes, I'm getting very tired of the current "stable" ownership that seems happy with a team that's just been good enough to break hearts (even when they've only gone 8-10)

[TimB09]

Elks announced today that they are seeking private ownership for the first time.

I understand why, but absolutely hate it. Everyone who has sat on the Board in the past decade should be banished to High Level for how badly they've fucked up the team's fortunes.

Nah, it's time.

No matter how bad they've screwed things up, this should have happened years ago.

[Acajack]

I know we talk about the Australian Football League in comparison to the CFL sometimes.

They have announced their 19th team which will play in Tasmania. Of course they will be called the Devils.

[plrh]

I know we talk about the Australian Football League in comparison to the CFL sometimes.

They have announced their 19th team which will play in Tasmania. Of course they will be called the Devils.

I did a quick google search and the current teams play in only 5 cities in total. Again that's 18 teams in five cities. 9 out 18 play in Melbourne. Nothing wrong with it, but it's strange and very different than CFL.

[Acajack]

I did a quick google search and the current teams play in only 5 cities in total. Again that's 18 teams in five cities. 9 out 18 play in Melbourne. Nothing wrong with it, but it's strange and very different than CFL.

Geelong and Gold Coast are like Hamilton to Toronto so that's not quite true. Still more fun to follow an 18 or 19 team league than one with 9 teams.

[plrh]

Still more fun to follow an 18 or 19 team league than one with 9 teams.

Oh, I agree. I wonder if any CFL stadium could handle two teams? There are 2 stadiums in Melbourne for 9 teams. I think it's highly doubtful, but it gives something to daydream about at work.

[Paper Boy]

Oh, I agree. I wonder if any CFL stadium could handle two teams? There are 2 stadiums in Melbourne for 9 teams. I think it's highly doubtful, but it gives something to daydream about at work.

They Don’t have NHL above them (AFL) as the most followed league

[jonny24]

They Don’t have NHL above them (AFL) as the most followed league

Australia benefitted for having (kind of) non-competing sports, as well as isolation, for the key development phase of entrenching professional sport.

Everywhere had cricket in the summer, football in the winter, and that was it*. Sydney played rugby while Melbourne developed AFL, but relative isolation from other major centres meant a multifaceted city-based league worked in both places.

There was no critical mass like North America's east-coast cities. Imagine we only had Chicago, Toronto, and Quebec city, all far less developed than they were, and not much else. That's the approximate distance of Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne.

If Chicago and QC were the only "other places", suddenly it would make sense to have Mississauga vs North York vs Scarbra vs Oshawa vs Hamilton.

*of course it's a little murkier with the rugby code split and soccer, but the point is they didn't have hockey AND football AND later basketball all competing for attention in the fall/winter.

[thurmas]

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/28/touchdown-pacific-game-in-victoria-sells-out-in-under-an-hour/

Touchdown Pacific game in Victoria sells out in under an hour

Vancouver Island is ready for CFL football, as tickets for the league’s Touchdown Pacific game have sold out in less than one hour.

Royal Athletic Park in Victoria is expected to host a capacity crowd of over 14,000 for the Labour Day weekend matchup between the Ottawa Redblacks and B.C. Lions. A potential capacity increase is already being explored according to the team, with fans unable to get a ticket in the first wave encouraged to sign up for the waitlist.

“It’s an outstanding day for our organization. It’s official: Touchdown Pacific is truly a national event with fans joining us from coast to coast, with ticket buyers coming in from every province,” Lions’ president Duane Vienneau said in a statement.

“We can’t wait to celebrate in our Provincial capital with our season ticket holders and local Vancouver Islanders for what will be an incredible weekend of events.”

Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, 115 kilometres south of Vancouver and accessible by ferry. The Greater Victoria Region has a population of approximately 400,000.

The CFL has hosted seven previous Touchdown events in the Maritimes with the first taking place at Huskies Stadium in 2005. The six subsequent events have taken place in Moncton, N.B., Wolfville, N.S. or back in Halifax.

This year’s game will be the first on the West Coast and will take place Saturday, August 31. The event will be preceded by a two-day festival at downtown Victoria’s Ship Point Inner Harbour, featuring food, beverages, and musical entertainment.

[thurmas]

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/31/everyones-gonna-get-a-fair-look-20-suitors-signed-to-ndas-in-elks-ownership-hunt/

‘Everyone’s gonna get a fair look’: 20 suitors signed to NDAs in Elks’ ownership hunt

The Edmonton Elks have no shortage of potential owners lining up to purchase their football club, but don’t expect a frontrunner to emerge anytime soon.

“We’re not quite that far along in the process,” chairman of the board Tom Richards told 630 CHED this week. “Right now, we’re just at the point of identifying anybody that wants to put their hand up, make sure the hand’s up and added to the list. We’ve got 20 different people or parties that have signed non-disclosure agreements, so there’s a lot of interest.”

The Elks are set to celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2024, a milestone that might also mark the end of the franchise’s community ownership model. A special committee was formed in October to formally review the club’s ownership structure, with the sale of the team to a private entity viewed as a necessity after several difficult years financially.

Edmonton posted a $3.3 million net operating loss in 2022 as attendance plummeted 9.1 percent. Ticket sales rose 4.1 percent in 2023 according to published figures but remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Financial reports from this past season have not yet been made public, though the team is expected to post another significant loss.

Richards, who serves on the special committee alongside team president Rick LeLacheur and four current or former board members, described the announcement of an ownership search as a “personal low” for him. However, his mood has shifted as the number of suitors has risen, thanks in part to the involvement of the CFL’s investment banking partner, Park Lane.

“We’ve never had to face these kinds of questions before but we’re into it, we’re not shying away from it,” he said. “We’ve got a good organization, a great board of directors. They’ve got our special committee struck and we’ve got a great partner in Park Lane helping us get everybody organized that has put their hand up to take it to that next stage of already figuring out who’s gonna wind up taking over the ownership of the club.”

Park Lane recently ran point on the ownership search for the Montreal Alouettes, helping to salvage the franchise from financial turmoil in the wake of ceded ownership. A deal was struck with Quebec billionaire Pierre-Karl Peladeau in under a month, catapulting the team to a Grey Cup championship in his first season in control.

The Elks hope a new owner can have a similar effect on their success, though the timeline is much less urgent. Richards would not commit to a firm deadline but hopes to have clarity for fans by the time the anniversary festivities kick off with a gala dinner on June 6.

“That would be my goal. Wouldn’t it be nice to tidy it all up and even at the dinner to be able to make that announcement?” he said, before providing an important caveat.

“It’s a blessing that we have that many organizations interested but it’s gonna slow it down a little bit. Everybody’s gonna get a fair shot at this, everyone’s gonna get a fair look. We are going to request a lot of information, as I’m sure they will request a bunch of information from us. It’s a process.”

Those logistical challenges are welcome when they are accompanied by the level of opportunity that the current situation provides. With 20 groups already signing paperwork, Richards is confident that the Elks will end up in the best possible hands.

“I’m very optimistic that we’re gonna be able to find the right organization to take over with that many people putting their hand up,” he said. “We’re gonna be able to make sure we can sit down and make the right decision. It might prove to be a little longer, just because we have so many interested parties, but that’s fine. That’s a luxury for us now.”

The Elks will open their 2024 regular season by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, June 8.

[elly63]

You beat me to it, I was going to post those two articles last night and then got distracted by something else.

A couple of things: Good to see Park Lane is still involved as the "headhunter", they've done a pretty good job so far finding billionaire owners for the league and done it fairly quickly. The amount of interest in Edmonton is very promising showing that people think there is value in owning that franchise.

There was another article at 3DN saying that they will be adding extra seats for Touchdown Pacific.

Also 16 NFL scouts will be at BC Place to test the two UBC OL

[Horus]

Forget Moncton or Halifax.

Charlottetown should be the location for the 10th CFL team!
:koko:

https://atlanticmoose.ca/

[elly63]

Some not very intelligent person is taking this hoax quite far

THE PEI ADVANTAGE

Halifax and Moncton in Atlantic Canada suffer from a pervasive socio-economic malaise which has resulted to persistent of relatively high rates of crime. Their local governments are essentially is disarray and have unsurprisingly have lacked the will to commit to the development of a new CFL team.

PEI in sharp contrast is characterized by unified communities which have very low rates of crime and both provincial and municipal governments highly oriented toward tourism.

[ScreamingViking]

I've always felt unsafe attending CFL games. :haha:
(webpage needs a proof-reading if this were ever a serious endeavor)

Still, the helmet -- while "busy" -- is noteworthy:
https://atlanticmoose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Atlantic-Moose-Helmet-e1706287680234-300x278.png

HEAD OFFICE
Atlantic Canada Moose Suite 325 - 207 Bank Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2N2
with a Montreal area code (514)
https://atlanticmoose.ca/contact-us/


This is immediately where my mind went:
79TVMn_d_Pk?si=1fMExIPE1d_UPoE9

[elly63]

Elections Ontario (https://finances.elections.on.ca/en/registered-parties)
People's Progressive Common Front of Ontario - Ontario People's Front

President Raymond Samuels
Leader Raymond Samuels
Registered May 04 2022
Address 325-207 Bank Street Ottawa ON K2P 2N2
Telephone (514) 712-7516
Email raycosmopolite@gmail.com (raycosmopolite@gmail.com)
Web Site http://www.ontariopeoplesfront.ca (https://finances.elections.on.ca/en/registered-parties)

I think I've wasted enough time on this knob's hoax

[ScreamingViking]

Splitters!

QhaY1hRDYBg?si=T6QaHVCeRQbWXIDe