Copied from the Moncton thread
CFL wants to discuss future in Moncton
Canadaeast news service
Published Saturday August 9th, 2008
Mayor plans to call league to discuss expansion options
A13
The commissioner of the Canadian Football League says the climate is right for expansion, and he looks forward to a call from Moncton's mayor to discuss it.
It's just a matter of finding a city with a stadium and a strong local financial backer to intrigue the league to Atlantic Canada, says Mark Cohon.
According to Moncton North MLA Mike Murphy, the Hub City has a stadium coming, it knows the financial resources are there, and the time is now right for the city to again push for a team.
The mayor of Moncton says he has plans to give Cohon a call.
"I think there is an argument to be made that a CFL team can be successful here," said George LeBlanc. "I will be taking the opportunity sometime down the road to talk to these folks and see if there is an opportunity for that here in Moncton."
Cohon says the league is in a position to look at expansion with last year's average stadium attendance reaching its highest since 1983. Television ratings are up 19 per cent so far this season.
"We are now going to start really thinking about what are the new opportunities for the league and expansion is definitely on our agenda and is something we need to explore," said Cohon. "I am looking forward to the mayor calling me."
The CFL last tested the waters for possible expansion into the Maritimes in 2005 with an exhibition game held in Halifax.
At that time, former commissioner Tom Wright was looking at the feasibility of adding a 10th CFL franchise by 2008, but only if a 25,000-seat stadium was in place and the league was convinced private financial backers were in place.
The dream died when financial instability hit other teams in the league in 2006 which culminated in the indefinite suspension of the Ottawa Renegades.
In March of this year the CFL granted an expansion team back to the nation's capital which will see a team return either in 2010 or 2011.
Cohon says the addition of a 10th team is again a possibility but only to a city with a stadium and the right local ownership.
"Those are the two key components that we have to find and if the mayor is interested in talking to me about those fronts I would be happy to talk to him," he said. "We are starting to think about what are the parameters of whether it's Moncton, whether it's Halifax or Quebec City, what would have to go into it."
An advocate for a team in 2005, Murphy believes Moncton is the only Atlantic Canada city where a team could be feasible noting its geographical location in the centre of the Maritime provinces.
He also said the reasons why a bid fell apart in 2005 is no longer a problem.
"When we had talks in 2005 there was no stadium, now there is going to be a stadium and we have proven as a city we can attract crowds," said Murphy. "It's all there now, there's just no reason not to do it."
April's announcement to expand the plans for an outdoor arena set to welcome the World Junior Championships in track and field in 2010 will bring a stadium with a capacity of up to 20,000 spectators to the Université de Moncton.
Cohon said that stadium comes close to the 25,000 attendance needed for a CFL franchise to succeed.
It now has Murphy calling for the city to take charge to find financial backers and create the business plan to entice a league which is visible everywhere else in the country except Atlantic Canada.
"Who can step up to the plate and tell me it can't be done?" said Murphy. "It's not massive money. This is not the NFL."
The CFL began enforcing a salary cap of $4.05 million per team in 2007, a year after expanding active rosters to 42 players. The league minimum salary is $39,000.
Murphy said the economic viability is there, as he was approached by business with interest in sponsorship in 2005.
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I wonder how easy it would be to increase the World Track and Field Stadium's capacity from 20,000 to 25,000 seats?
There are several people in the Moncton area with pockets deep enough to finance a CFL franchise, probably most notably Robert Irving.
This could happen...