Matt Cauz
CFL.ca
Consider this my post-Canada Day article. I just got back from Newfoundland and I am just brimming with pride.
Yes, my Molson Canadian beer stein is half full, nay; it is over flowing with beer and nationalism. For someone who had never spent any time on the East Coast it was a wonderful experience.
I was thinking about CFL expansion to these here parts when I was doing all those touristy activities like Signal Hill or Whale watching.
By the way, why does everyone go completely berserk when they see dolphins up close? I was on one of those whale watching adventure boats and every time we encountered dolphins people would go rushing for their camera’s, taking more photos than when their first-born child learns how to take his/her first step.
If it wasn’t for the fact that they look cute with that perma-smile etched on their face I don’t think anyone would care. They’ve got to be the most over-rated animal out there.
Sorry, got a little off track there.
I believe expansion can work right now. I know the Atlantic Schooners failed in the 80s but I think their time is coming soon.
I understand that right now the main priority for the league is to ensure that Ottawa is set up to succeed. The key for our nation’s capital is proper ownership and as long as there isn’t a Glieberman in sight I think Ottawa will be just fine.
Now back to our friends out East.
Obviously I can’t break down with great accuracy the levels of corporate support that are present in either Moncton or Halifax nor do I have a crystal ball that will predict which city is closer to getting a proper stadium.
In the end, I think either market could work.
Moncton has done a brilliant job promoting Touchdown Atlantic; they have a strong minor football league and do pretty well at the high school level.
Halifax’s population just eclipsed the 400,000 mark. The city has a great number of tourist attractions that can pull in fans from surrounding areas who are looking to make a mini-vacation out of it.
Also, Peter Kelly – Halifax’s mayor – seems pretty gung-ho about a new stadium as the city’s regional council recently approved a $100,000 study on just how feasible a stadium would be.
Clearly, they are serious about providing the right environment for the CFL’s potential 10th team.
One issue would naturally be the daunting task of drawing fans from the other city to come and support the team.
The drive is about two and a half hours so it would be difficult to garner serious season ticket support from whichever city ends up being left at the altar.
One solution would be to have part of the stadium devoted to the other city, say 1500-2000 seats that are reserved strictly for the good people of either Moncton/Halifax.
Also, to off-set the travel costs, the team should give those fans free parking or reduced ticket rates. Smart marketing/promotions people should be able to make it worth it for fans to drive 260 kilometres to catch “their team” play live.
Numbers aside, I think the real key is that these provinces – beyond a love of sport and football – have a strong sense of community and pride.
They want to prove they can be like the rest of this country and support a team. Not only would they feel a strong sense of ownership towards a CFL team I believe they would have a protective feeling towards their new team, they wouldn’t want to see their team fail.
Finally don’t discount the pride factor. No self-respecting fan base wants to see their team fold and thus be embarrassed in front of the rest of the country.
As for the name, I would immediately rank the ‘Atlantic Schooners’ as one of the top three names in the league. Just think of the readymade rivalries this would create.
You would have the B.C. Lions in the annual ‘The Battle of the Coasts’ game, not to mention the always intense ‘Battle of the Nautical Themed Teams’ between the Argonauts and the Schooners.
Oh the possibilities are endless!
For the good of the game the moment Ottawa has completed their expansion draft I want to see a press conference detailing stadium plans, season ticket sales and a hard date for the 10th team.
Just think of how our game would truly be national once there are franchises up and running in Ottawa and on the East Coast.
Not only would there be a team back in our Capital but the league would truly be coast to coast.
