Als tight-lipped about franchise sale rumours

The Montreal Alouettes were offering no comment Wednesday regarding reports the CFL franchise is close to being sold.

Various reports out of Montreal said the Alouettes — who have been owned by American businessman Robert Wetenhall for more than 20 years — are on the verge of being sold.

Montreal-based TSN Radio host Tony Marinaro tweeted that Eric Lapointe, a former Hec Crighton Trophy winner as the top university player in the country and former Alouettes running back, was heading up a local group that’s considering buying the CFL franchise.

Lapointe told Le Journal de Montreal in 2017 he would be interested in joining a team of investors to buy the Alouettes if asked.

The 44-year-old Montreal native said he could quickly assemble a potential ownership group.

“I don’t think it would be hard to put a group together,” Lapointe said. “There’s a lot more francophone business owners than back in the day ... there are a lot of people who would like to be involved.

“Obviously I’m passionate about football, but I’m not looking for a job. I love what I do. And I can’t say enough about the Wetenhalls and what they’ve done for our city.”

The Canadian Press requested to speak with Alouettes president Patrick Boivin on Wednesday, but a club spokesman said in an email that the organization “doesn’t comment on rumours.”

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie was in Montreal on Wednesday for the league’s East regional combine. Ambrosie would neither confirm nor deny reports of the Alouettes sale, saying only that the league remains committed to helping the franchise return to its former greatness.

“We have been in discussions with the Wetenhall family and Patrick Boivin about how do we work together to strengthen the Alouettes’ situation,” he said.

Montreal has a 21-51 record the past four seasons combined.