Orridge stepping down as CFL Commissioner today; TSN

[Argo57]

Suitor is a swell guy and all a big CFL fan plus a former player - "knows" the league for sure; but wether he has any business acumen is a big question, plus he is rather limited in speaking ability IMO; of all the above guys you described, Duane Forde is easily the most well spoken IMO; Climie maybe 2nd plus he is a lawyer as well.

I'd rather see an ex-player who has been in constant contact with or working with the league for years, get the job over some clueless about Canadian football guy in a business suit. BOG myopic clowns probably just want a yes man.

You bring up a good point in regards to Climie, knows the league for sure, well spoken and has a legal background which means he definitely won't be considered.😛

[argotom]

You bring up a good point in regards to Climie, knows the league for sure, well spoken and has a legal background which means he definitely won't be considered.

Climie did express interest before Orridge was hired.
He may not be a bad choice either.

[jerrym]

Climie did express interest before Orridge was hired.
He may not be a bad choice either.

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.

[argotom]

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.

Absolutely, 3 for 3 on those counts.

[Jon Gonzo]

I have had dealings with Jock here in Ottawa, and I too would endorse such a move

[argos1873]

I would not be against Jock Climie. Someone else said Duane Forde is a better speaker than Jock. Disagree. Climie is a way better speaker than Forde. And he's a lawyer. I don't know how great he would be as a businessman or business partner with the 9 owners, I'll leave that up to them.

[OV Argo]

I would not be against Jock Climie. Someone else said Duane Forde is a better speaker than Jock. Disagree. Climie is a way better speaker than Forde. And he's a lawyer. I don't know how great he would be as a businessman or business partner with the 9 owners, I'll leave that up to them.

We'll have to agree to disagree then; cause IMO, Forde - as a TV commentator anyways - is a far superior speaker to Climie - hands down/ no contest; more succinct, less prone to repeating himself, less cliched, better vocabulary, etc. - and I don't care if Jock is lawyer - that doesn't automatically make you a good communicator or speaker.

But - those 2 guys would be way better choices for CFL Comish, IMO, than some supposedly successful "businessman" in a suit - a football league isn't just any "business" anyways; but maybe the CFL could bust El Chapo out of jail and install him as head honcho if making tons of buck$ is a great indicator of business acumen.

[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.

[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.