Orridge stepping down as CFL Commissioner today; TSN

[paulwoods13]

Climie has the communication skills, as well as the knowledge for Canadian football to be successful. Being a lawyer would also be helpful with the legal aspects of being CFL commissioner.

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. The need to understand law is far outweighed by the need to understand how to run and grow a business, IMO.

[Jon Gonzo]

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. The need to understand law is far outweighed by the need to understand how to run and grow a business, IMO.

I don't know, but I know that John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton, FDR and Abe Lincoln were all Lawyers.
They seemed to be able to manage big stuff.

[paulwoods13]

I don't know, but I know that John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton, FDR and Abe Lincoln were all Lawyers.
They seemed to be able to manage big stuff.

Sure, and there have also been lawyers who ran successful enterprises. Just as there have been lawyers who failed in politics and business.

I don't think a law degree is going to be on the CFL's list of desired attributes, nor should it be. A lawyer might turn out to be a good commissioner, but anyone -- lawyer or otherwise -- who isn't good at running a complex business will almost certainly fail.

[Jon Gonzo]

Sure, and there have also been lawyers who ran successful enterprises. Just as there have been lawyers who failed in politics and business.

I don't think a law degree is going to be on the CFL's list of desired attributes, nor should it be. A lawyer might turn out to be a good commissioner, but anyone -- lawyer or otherwise -- who isn't good at running a complex business will almost certainly fail.

Well, sure, but you didn't say 'lawyer or otherwise.' Your point was that being a lawyer doesn't automatically qualify someone to up to the task of running a large business. My counter-point is that is doesn't disqualify you either; therefore, why make that the basis of your argument in the first place?

I am sure we agree; it'll take a good person with good vision and the ability to sell it while managing 9 distinct Governors on the board. Law tends to be one of the jobs that is a benefit to a resume in this regard.

As this pertains to Jock Climie, it would be a benefactor. We already know he's bright, enthusiastic, he knows the game, and he can communicate. Day to day good businesses are run by VP's anyway. This would be essential regardless. This is also why I believe that Pinball could handle this roll. He'd SELL the game.

[paulwoods13]

Well, sure, but you didn't say 'lawyer or otherwise.' Your point was that being a lawyer doesn't automatically qualify someone to up to the task of running a large business. My counter-point is that is doesn't disqualify you either; therefore, why make that the basis of your argument in the first place?

I am sure we agree; it'll take a good person with good vision and the ability to sell it while managing 9 distinct Governors on the board. Law tends to be one of the jobs that is a benefit to a resume in this regard.

As this pertains to Jock Climie, it would be a benefactor. We already know he's bright, enthusiastic, he knows the game, and he can communicate. Day to day good businesses are run by VP's anyway. This would be essential regardless. This is also why I believe that Pinball could handle this roll. He'd SELL the game.

I never said being a lawyer disqualified anyone. I said: "The need to understand law is far outweighed by the need to understand how to run and grow a business, IMO." I stand by that. Does Climie understand how to run and grow a business? If so, then he might be a viable candidate. But being a lawyer does not in itself mean he understands how to run and grow a business. I respectfully disagree that knowledge of the law has any particular benefit in the commissioner's role. The league can engage the services of commercial and labour lawyers for whatever legal issues it deals with.

[Jon Gonzo]

I never said being a lawyer disqualified anyone. I said: "The need to understand law is far outweighed by the need to understand how to run and grow a business, IMO." I stand by that. Does Climie understand how to run and grow a business? If so, then he might be a viable candidate. But being a lawyer does not in itself mean he understands how to run and grow a business. I respectfully disagree that knowledge of the law has any particular benefit in the commissioner's role. The league can engage the services of commercial and labour lawyers for whatever legal issues it deals with.

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.

[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.

[AngeloV]

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. The need to understand law is far outweighed by the need to understand how to run and grow a business, IMO.

I don't know the answer to that, but some of the most successful North American sports commissioners have been lawyers, like them or not, including Bettman, Stern and Tagliabue.