Quote Originally Posted by paulwoods13 View Post
Gaudaur was indeed the league's most successful commissioner. That was in an era when CFL teams' revenues and expenses were comparable to NFL teams', there were only three Cdn NHL teams, no basketball team, and baseball at first didn't exist in Canada and then was in start-up mode. It's just not a comparable situation IMO.

How successful were the tenures of Mitchell, Baker, Smith and Tory?

Mitchell: Montreal folded, the rich TV deal Gaudaur negotiated disappeared, CTV left, Calgary came close to folding, Sask had to run telethns.

Baker: Several teams were on life support during his tenure.

Smith: See Baker, plus U.S. expansion (which arguably kept the league alive but was far from a roaring success).

Tory: Had to go begging to NFL for cash to keep the league afloat; had to give away 4,000 tickets to Grey Cup in Hamilton.

Not sure I'd argue any of those guys as evidence of how important being a lawyer is. And then of course there's Orridge.

Most commissioners have had troubled tenures, especially in the modern era, because the CFL has been a troubled league. Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough. I simply stated that being a Lawyer is apparently beneficial. That was in response to your comment about not knowing how Law would help in this particular role (paraphrased). Many of them have been one. Good or bad, they got the job.

I am not saying the new commish will have a legal background, or should.

I also believe that Marc Cohon may have been the best of all time, and his business background played well for him. He's basically a pro executive.

My point, and I'll stand by it; this league doesn't need some corporate egghead who spews power phrases and cliches and has no clue what this thing is all about. This 'thing' is unlike any other business going. The new commish should have an understanding of this league and it's unique charm.

I know a couple qualified candidates. May the best one win.

Sounds like Wayne Parrish is the latest to lobby for it. He's background is Journalism, and has been involved in managing organized leagues as of late.