Orridge stepping down as CFL Commissioner today; TSN

[paulwoods13]

Like I said, I don't completely disagree. There are good lawyers and bad lawyers. There are good businessmen and bad businessmen. There are good people and there are bad people. The only thing that I don't agree with is the slant that being a lawyer -- makes no difference in this/ or any equation.

"What legal knowledge is needed in that position? I'm pretty sure most of the (many) commissioners this league has had have not been lawyers."
I do not agree, and I don't believe in turning positives into negatives. History has shown us that legal knowledge has been a giant benefit to those who become leaders in business, or in the community.

Do I think that all Lawyers can run the CFL, no. Do I think all good Lawyers can run the CFL, no. Do I think a Lawyer that is a good lawyer, a good communicator, a well liked guy who has played the game, can sell the game and understands the game.....do I think he'd make a potentially good commissioner? Yes I do. Do I think that his legal background would be a benefit. Yes, I do.

With a good business plan, a good business network and a couple of outstanding VP's....I would wholeheartedly support either Mike Clemons or Jock Climie for this role.

I have the utmost respect for the legal profession. A lawyer I worked with for years taught me an enormous amount about business and life, and a bit about the law. But as smart and knowledgeable as he is, he would be the first to admit he doesn't necessarily have all the tools necessary to run a complex enterprise. No question, having a sharp legal mind benefited him in many ways, and no doubt it benefits Jock Climie or any other sharp lawyer. But to run something as complex as a nine-team league where your bosses also compete directly against one another, and where much larger organizations are competing for the same ancillary revenue sources, requires a lot more than a sharp legal mind, IMO. Does Climie have all the other attributes and knowledge and skills needed to succeed? Does he know how to create a business plan that could be successful in growing the league? Maybe, maybe not. The fact he's a lawyer doesn't certainly doesn't guarantee that he does. Nor does it preclude the possibility.

Your last comment is interesting as it seems to suggest that the league should be looking for up to three individuals (unless it already has those outstanding VPs). I doubt they are looking at this as a package deal.

[Shatto]

A large professionally well run organization, when looking for a senior staff person, normally engages a consulting firm (head hunter) to help the organization select the most appropriate individual. Usually, it involves the consulting firm, first attempting to determine the ethos and culture of the organization. After that, they will identify what the successful candidate is expected to achieve (goals and objectives) on behalf of the organization. From that and in consultation with the Board, they will establish the criteria that a successful candidate must meet. Then the consulting firm will identify a potential short list before interviews can commence.

The above is a very simplified description of the process that most successful organizations follow, when going through the hiring of a top executive. Sometimes when one has an organization like the CFL, with its 9 strong willed owners, it is absolutely necessary to establish all the ground rules, procedures and processes before entering into the exercise of choosing a new CEO.

Hopefully, they get it right this time.

[Jon Gonzo]

A large professionally well run organization, when looking for a senior staff person, normally engages a consulting firm (head hunter) to help the organization select the most appropriate individual. Usually, it involves the consulting firm, first attempting to determine the ethos and culture of the organization. After that, they will identify what the successful candidate is expected to achieve (goals and objectives) on behalf of the organization. From that and in consultation with the Board, they will establish the criteria that a successful candidate must meet. Then the consulting firm will identify a potential short list before interviews can commence.

The above is a very simplified description of the process that most successful organizations follow, when going through the hiring of a top executive. Sometimes when one has an organization like the CFL, with its 9 strong willed owners, it is absolutely necessary to establish all the ground rules, procedures and processes before entering into the exercise of choosing a new CEO.

Hopefully, they get it right this time.

It'a just this kind of thing, that this league usually f's up. Good people under their nose, in a unique league that needs people that understand 'unique.'

Man, did they ever luck out with Cohon. But....

we'll probably get some puppet egg head.

[doubleblue]

It'a just this kind of thing, that this league usually f's up. Good people under their nose, in a unique league that needs people that understand 'unique.'

Man, did they ever luck out with Cohon. But....

we'll probably get some puppet egg head.

So true. I had nothing against Orridge personally, but was quite shocked when he was chosen by the Good Old Boys. I accepted the line that he was some kind of new whiz person that was needed for the League going forward. My gut told me different after listening to him however. But one doesn't want to be critical to get in trouble with the political correctness crowd so I don't think I said too much against his policies, even though to me it didn't look like a good fit. That term "wasn't a good fit" sure covered a lot of territory.
Hopefully the Good Old Boys will finally hire somebody who can herd cats and make this League great again. I don't know if that person exists though.