CFL eyeing expansion to Halifax
OTTAWA The Canadian Football League could be ready to go coastto-coast.
While it’s a long way from reality because a stadium capable of seating 20,000 has to be built, the CFL’s board of governors was given an update from commissioner Randy Ambrosie on possible expansion to Halifax during their meeting Saturday in Ottawa.
A group led by former Arizona Coyotes owners Anthony Leblanc, an Ottawa resident, and Gary Drummond have held discussions with CFL officials and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage about expansion for the 2020 campaign. But all parties involved have to come to agreement on building a stadium.
“This idea didn’t just come out of nowhere. It’s been evolving,” Jeff Hunt, the president of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group — the owners of the Ottawa Redblacks — told Postmedia on Sunday. “A lot of the pieces are in place for this Halifax bid to succeed.
“They’ve got a very credible ownership group, I think you’ve got government there that wants to see this happen, so I think the pieces are there to finally see a team in Halifax and finally see a 10th team in the CFL, which would be outstanding.”
Hunt said Savage visited Ottawa two years ago to look at what OSEG did at Lansdowne Park, where the Redblacks play at TD Place.
OSEG partner John Ruddy has spent this weekend with Leblanc and Drummond to give them some insight on what it would take to be successful.
“When the mayor of Halifax came up to Ottawa, I hosted him, and they were looking at Ottawa as the inspiration for what could be in Halifax,” Hunt said. “The owners that are looking to bring a team to Halifax are all here (this weekend) at the Grey Cup.
“I know John Ruddy has been extremely involved with the Halifax group in going down, visiting with them and trying to share with them what we’ve done.”