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Published on February 11, 2018 12:28 PM by dbo.
With stops in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Regina, the commissioner had a busy week on the road.
Here is the rundown:
- Lot’s of topics covered in Toronto, but Wilder Jr. is the hot one. Ambrosie is firm about enforcing the rules until they are renegotiated. The legal ramifications of a lot of options being suggested are too great.
- The CFLPA is investigating the circumstances, discussions and suggested agreements players say were in place and are now not being honoured. Jim Barker, Toronto GM when Wilder Jr. and Butler were signed, says he did not promise a release, and believes his staff did not either.
- In Calgary (see main link above), whether McMahon Stadium and other facilities are obstacles to hosting a Grey Cup and an earlier season were the big topics.
- In Vancouver, an interview and the usual topics, but notes that the league will be more metric-focused and open are nice to know. Those looking for a blueprint for success are misguided. The league has a direction — open, inclusive, accessible and contemporary. Little experiments will move them towards the goal with little risk.
- In Regina, fans want to know about an earlier season, Canadian QBs, and hosting another Grey Cup.
- The “But when are we getting the Grey Cup <pouty face>?” refrain is strong in Regina. The answer is the same to every city (including Hamilton) — when your city puts in the best bid.
- The (getting soft) West is leading the charge for an earlier season. If that pushes the league in that direction, they better be sure the earlier season will deliver the fans in the East (and the West better maintain current levels).
Unfortunately, the tour has turned into an echo chamber, with the same topics and questions bandied about because they have been raised by the commissioner himself earlier.
Meanwhile, Halifax is looking forward to their visit from the commissioner Feb. 23rd.