An ‘outpouring of support’ for CFL
New commissioner sees plenty of potential
Jeffrey Orridge took office as the 13th commissioner of the Canadian Football League on April 29. One of his first duties that day was to provide a signature sample that would be copied onto all the football used in play this season.
Since then, Orridge has moved onto more commissioner-like tasks, such as helping smooth the way for the sale of the Toronto Argonauts and conducting a tour of the nine CFL cities. He was in Montreal for the season opener last Thursday, and he’ll be at TD Place stadium on Saturday night, when the Ottawa Redblacks play host to the B.C. Lions.
The Citizen’s Gord Holder caught up with him in Montreal.
Q What, so far, has been the best part about being CFL commissioner?
A “I have been to several preseason games, and the energy and electricity there, and it’s the fact that people have stopped me and asked me questions and congratulated me. That kind of outpouring of support has been incredible to me, and it’s not because of me, it’s because of what I represent and their connection to the league.”
Q What are the remaining priority items that, if they’re crossed off the to-do list, would cause Jeffrey Orridge to say, “That was a really good day’s work?”
A “Making sure that all of the teams are as profitable and as prosperous as possible so there can be further reinvestment. But, even more important than that, see that we are meeting and exceeding our fans’ expectations and attracting new fans.”
Q On June 22, there was a story out of Regina where you were defending the CFL’s current anti-doping policy as being one that allowed people who made mistakes (by testing positive) to make up for them. Then, just days later, there was an that the CFL and the players’ association would talk about going beyond that? What led to what appeared to be a sudden change?
A “The health and safety of our players is paramount to us,
and the integrity of the game is paramount, so, whatever we can do to perpetuate that and improve that, that’s what we are going to do. These conversations have been going on for several months, even before I got in the job, but, since I’ve been in the job, we have always had a focus on it, and I have always explained that we have had conversations with the (players’ association) and there has always been an agreement to look at our policies and to try to improve them, so this is just a natural progression.”
Q The Redblacks, the league, everybody has cited an agreement for the CFL to conduct a Grey Cup game in Ottawa within the first four years of the franchise. You have two shots left at it, so …
A “We’ve got two shots left. I’m not trying to be clever, but I am saying that we haven’t even announced 2016. We certainly will not announce 2017 (yet).”
Q When are you going to announce 2016?
A “Shortly. I can’t give you a timeline, but soon.”