NewsArticle - CFL preaching patience with Atlantic expansion

[XGamer]

http://www.canada.com/sports/story.html?id=5476187

CFL preaching patience with Atlantic expansion
'There are a lot of things we need to do first'
By Mark Masters, National Post
September 29, 201

"If, five years ago, you had asked people, 'Will Moncton be hosting regular-season games?' I think most people would have said, 'Not a chance.' But we've now done that twice. We've had tremendously successful games. We've proven we can do it," LeBlanc said. "From my own personal perspective, I think the next five years are critical. Optimistically, I hope we'll have an Atlantic team here within five years."

But CFL commissioner Mark Cohon refused to set a timetable for expansion, saying, "There are a lot of things we need to do first."

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders played before 20,153 fans last weekend at Université de Moncton, about 800 seats shy of a sellout. The first Touchdown Atlantic game, between Toronto and Edmonton last year, sold out in 32 hours. Event organizers believe a computer glitch early in the sales process this year made people think all the tickets were sold.

Still, the main challenge for proponents of a CFL franchise in the Atlantic provinces may not be fan interest, but corporate support. Thirteen of the 15 event sponsors last season were already national sponsors of the league, and Cohon said that remained "roughly the same" this year.

Cohon is putting together an advisory council of seven or eight business leaders familiar with the region. Scott McCain, the president and chief operating officer of the Agribusiness Group at Maple Leaf Foods Inc., will be part of the group, as will Moosehead Breweries Ltd. president Andrew Oland and Lounsbury Company Ltd. president Larry Nelson.

"It's going to take a lot of soul searching to figure out . is there a pocket of corporate sponsorship that will make this thing fly?" McCain told Moncton's Times & Transcript.

"I can't disagree with him," Cohon said.

"The key thing is: How do your national sponsors step up to the plate and how could they be augmented by local support, which may be small deals but may be enough to get us to the level of support the franchise would need."

Cohon plans on reaching out to the Irving family, a dominant force in the region's energy, forestry, steel, media, retail and construction sectors.

"The bottom line is somebody has to step up to the plate as an investor and take the bull by the horns and be the leadership group," LeBlanc said.

Moncton is not the only city in the region interested in attracting a CFL team. Halifax is trying to decide if it will build a new stadium to host games in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. That venue could be expanded to host a CFL team.

Moncton has an advantage with the 10,000-seat stadium at Université de Moncton. The capacity would need to be increased to 25,000 in order to attract a CFL team. Temporary seating has been added for both Touchdown Atlantic games.

LeBlanc will be disappointed if the CFL does not bring a game to his community again next year, but there are obstacles.

The league is concerned about stretching itself too thin, and the 100th Grey Cup celebration is the major focus next season. It is also unclear who would "host" such a game.

The Argos, the home team in 2002, have already told Cohon they will not be available next year. Toronto, last in CFL average attendance, expects to get a bump by allowing those who buy season tickets to get first dibs on 2012 Grey Cup seats. And the Ticats will be playing their final season at Ivor Wynne Stadium before it is rebuilt and will not want to surrender a home game.

Every other team averages more fans at their home games than what they would get in Moncton.

The Ticats could play some games in Moncton in 2013, when they will be without a home. Cohon thinks that would be a good test for the market.

Ottawa is expected to rejoin the league in 2014, which will make life more difficult for schedule-makers. And while a 10-team circuit would simplify things, Cohon is preaching patience.

"There's nobody rushing us and there's no need to rush," he said. "It's all about making the right decision."

mmasters@nationalpost.com
twitter.com/markhmasters

[West Coast Als Fan]

I just saw an article listing the top 10 richest people in Canada. At #3:

James (J. K.), Arthur and estate of John (Jack) Irving,

Net Worth: $7.8 billion ▲ 4.5% Saint John, N.B.

Businesses: Irving Oil Ltd., J. D. Irving Ltd.

The Irving family suffered two major losses last year with the death of J. E. ( Jack) Irving, son of the legendary K. C. Irving, and the indefinite medical leave taken by his nephew Kenneth. But the empire is steaming ahead. Irving Shipbuilding is competing for one of two federal government contracts to build combat ships and nonmilitary vessels. The larger contract, worth $25 billion, ensures 30 years of work for the winning shipyard, and will be awarded before the end of the year.

So obviously there is at least one company based in the Maritimes which could easily afford to not only own a team but to build a stadium. irving could probably find enough money for both just by checking under the cushions of his living room couch.

[cliffyd]

Between them and the McCain family, there's more than enough money in the Maritimes. People aren't gonna stop eating french fries anytime soon.