CFL franchise expected for Ottawa after stadium vote passes

[Will]

CFL FRANCHISE EXPECTED FOR OTTAWA AFTER STADIUM VOTE PASSES

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407121

The CFL says it is on course to add a team in Ottawa after city council approved the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park on Wednesday.


The motion to build a new stadium passed in a 21-3 vote, and construction on the site is expected to start in less than a week.


"Today's positive City of Ottawa council vote means a beautiful new stadium and as early as 2014, a proud new franchise that will make its community proud and our league even stronger," said CFL commissioner Mark Cohon in a statement.


"This is a great day for our league and, for all of us who understand its' important place in the culture of Canada, a great day for our country," Cohon added.


The CFL said following the vote that if stadium construction remains on schedule, Ottawa will be eligible to select four redshirted NCAA players in the 2013 CFL Canadian Draft. The Ottawa franchise will have an full expansion draft in December, 2013.


The franchise is also scheduled to participate in the CFL Canadian Draft in the spring of 2014 and could begin play that same year.

[RICKEARS]

OTTAWA -- The Canadian Football League is now on course to proudly add a ninth team in the nation's capital in time for the 2014 season, Commissioner Mark Cohon announced today.

"Today's positive City of Ottawa council vote means a beautiful new stadium and as early as 2014, a proud new franchise that will make its community proud and our league even stronger," Cohon said.

"This is a great day for our league and, for all of us who understand its' important place in the culture of Canada, a great day for our country."

By a vote of 21 to 3 this morning, Ottawa City Council decided to proceed with plans proposed by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group to transform Frank Clair Stadium into a leading sports facility and surround it with an exciting new residential and retail complex.

"Our dream of a Canadian Football League franchise, which has always been the heart of this plan, is becoming a reality and we are absolutely thrilled and humbled," said Roger Greenberg of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).
Related Links

Images: Ottawa Stadium Concept
CFL approves Expansion Draft plan
Rewind: An update on the Ottawa franchise


"Now it's time to accelerate the important work of not only building a landmark destination that inspires and excites our city and region, but a business organization and football team that can and will compete for the Grey Cup."

OSEG includes Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of The Minto Group, John Ruddy, President of Trinity Development Group, Bill Shenkman, Chairman of the Shenkman Group of Companies, John Pugh, CEO and Owner of the Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, and Jeff Hunt, Owner and Governor of the Ottawa 67s, a leading member of the OHL.

Now that the stadium proposal has passed every legal and political test with flying colours, the process is underway to make Ottawa a full partner in the CFL.

As long as stadium construction remains on schedule, Ottawa will be eligible to select four underclassmen from the NCAA, commonly known as redshirts, in the 2013 CFL Canadian Draft. The Ottawa Expansion Draft will be in December, 2013.

Ottawa is also scheduled to be eligible to have a representative join the CFL Board of Governors as a full voting member in January, 2014, and to fully participate in the CFL Canadian Draft in Spring, 2014.

"The Board of Governors and I fully appreciate what this means to our fans in Ottawa and across the country and we share their excitement," Cohon said.

"We have pursued expansion to Ottawa in a prudent and businesslike manner, determined to ensure we had the right owners and the proper conditions in place for success in the nation's capital, which will ultimately make all of our teams stronger. I am confident that, with today's news, we are achieving our goals."

[1argoholic]

Finally the Rivermen can become reality.

[ArgoGabe22]

Tired of hearing Rider fans whine about the name "Rough Riders". Any Rider fan against the name is quite ignorant, they're much older and is of a different meaning. I'm all for history. If not it must be the Log Rollers then lol

[Midnight Blue]

Tired of hearing Rider fans whine about the name "Rough Riders". Any Rider fan against the name is quite ignorant, they're much older and is of a different meaning. I'm all for history. If not it must be the Log Rollers then lol

Hear hear !

[ArgoAnge]

I think it will be great to have another team, and hopefully it will last in Ottawa this time. If this works, maybe we will see another team or two around the country.
I REALLY hope they don't go with the Rough Riders name.... I know that was the original, but regardless it would be ridiculous to have two teams with the same name (whether one word or two). This is a new team, a new start, it's time for a new name.
Maybe if there's not a thread already (is there one?), we should start one just for Ottawa name suggestions. New suggestions only, lol.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Although some Roughrider fans are against the idea of reviving the Rough Riders, it is mostly the ignorant Canadian Press Corps who constantly bring up the the two names issues. Quickly followed by the "Bush" label.

I for one don't care what they call them. Just be successful (financially and in the stands) and be a stepping stone to more CFL success in Eastern Canada.

[AngeloV]

Although some Roughrider fans are against the idea of reviving the Rough Riders, it is mostly the ignorant Canadian Press Corps who constantly bring up the the two names issues. Quickly followed by the "Bush" label.

I for one don't care what they call them. Just be successful (financially and in the stands) and be a stepping stone to more CFL success in Eastern Canada.

Great F'N post!!! I couldn't agree more.

[matthew]

Yes Ottawa!! Well done. In other great news, Hamilton will be announcing its stadium plans on Friday. Have been waiting to see them.

[gilthethrill]

Jeff Hunt was on PTS last night...he stated that the stadium will be ready June 2014, that is including time delays that happen in construction. I know Ottawa failed a couple times before, but there were off field-ownership problems that were the cause. Hunt & Co will provide solid leadership from the top. I am going to be interested in following the hiring of front office staff.

I sometimes wonder why long time Edmonton Assistant GM Paul Jones is never mentioned when a GM job comes available.

[DanTheFan]

Finally the Rivermen can become reality.

If they aren't called the Rough Riders (which I'm not opposed to), I like this name. A good R name that would at least let them have the same look as the Rough Riders.

[LLB997]

Are they legally allowed to use the Renegades name?

[argofandave]

What I've heard is that they promised Saskatchewan that they won't use the Rough Riders name, they don't want to use the Renegades name although I'm sure they can legally use it and that they want a bilingual name because of the large francophone population in the area.

[jerrym]

Glad to see Ottawa back in the fold. I remember going to Rough Rider games with my father while living in the Ottawa Valley (but even then being an Argo fan) and being allowed in for free after the first quarter by attendants after watching the first quarter through large knotholes in the wood of the wall (I think others had accidently previously enlarged them).