CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie Looking for 'Conclusion' to Expansion Talks
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie gave a state-of-the-league address leading up to Sunday's Grey Cup. The potential expansion of a 10th team was among the topics discussed.
Ambrosie and the league have been speaking with a team owner who is interested in adding a team in Atlantic Canada, which is also called the Atlantic provinces in the eastern region of the country. Talks have been going on since 2016 with Schooner Sports and Entertainment originally in discussions before dropping out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the league is hoping to add an additional team in Atlantic Canada, Ambrosie is equally excited to continue the conversation of expansion with the hope of a resolution soon enough.
"We need to bring this to a conclusion at some point," he said. "No matter how much we want to be there, and it would be great to have our 10th team in Atlantic Canada, would be great to be in Halifax. ... The conversation with this current phenomenal ownership candidate will continue."
Prior to the 2020 conversation of a team in Atlantic Canada, there was one other attempt with a debut date of 1984. Due to that ownership not being able to secure funding, the Atlantic Schooners never took the field in the CFL.
Ambrosie emphasized the importance of moving quickly on a decision on whether they can strike a deal to bring on another team.
“At some point, we have to decide whether we’re going to do it or not," he said. "And if we’re going to do it, let’s do it."
The league hopes to add a 10th team as a way to even out the number of teams in each division. This would ensure the league could condense the schedule and bring up the date of the Grey Cup. There are currently four teams in the East Division and five teams in the West Division.
The 110th Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday is sold out. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will take on the Montreal Alouettes at 6 p.m. ET.
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