CALGARY - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon was forced on the defensive Friday.
The usually outgoing Cohon was evasive and repeatedly avoided
discussing the thorny issue of how many Canadian-born players CFL teams should be required to start during his annual state-of-the-league address. It's been a
hot topic of discussion this past month after The Canadian Press
reported the league was looking to reduce the minimum number from seven
to four in contract talks with the CFL Players' Association.
"Any position I say has to do with our negotiations and I'm the
spokesperson for this league," said Cohon. "So I will tell you that we
understand the importance of Canadians in this league."
The
present deal expires just before the start of 2010 training camps. It
calls for clubs to carry a minimum of 20 Canadians, 19 non-imports and
three quarterbacks on the active roster, leaving at least seven Canucks
to be starters.
The issue is a very sensitive one for both players and fans alike
and has become a lightning rod for lively debate. But that wasn't the
case Friday. Asked about the issue on seven separate occasions, Cohon
simply repeated his prior statement, adding he couldn't comment further
as a sign of respect for the negotiation process between the CFL and
CFL Players' Association.
Cohon was a bit more forthcoming when asked about the
Toronto Argonauts ownership issue, saying the league wants to know the
intentions of co-owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon sooner
rather than later. Sokolowski and Cynamon are kicking around the idea
of selling the franchise they rescued from the jaws of bankruptcy six
years ago. They reportedly have some interest in buying the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.
"I want to be clear," Cohon said, "I want to have a resolution on their position in the coming weeks."
It's been reported that B.C. Lions owner David Braley could have an
interest in purchasing the Argos. In June, it was revealed that Braley
fronted Sokolowski and Cynamon half the $2-million franchise fee to
purchase the Argos out of bankruptcy in 2003, and continued to lend the
team money.
If Braley purchased the Argos - who posted a CFL-worst 3-15 record
and missed the playoffs for a second straight year - while still owning
the Lions, the optics could be embarrassing for the CFL. Not
only would one man own 25 per cent of the league, it would also create
an obvious conflict-of-interest situation.
Amazingly, there's nothing in the CFL's constitution preventing one
person from owning two different teams. But Cohon said recent
constitutional amendments put in place mean the commissioner must be
informed of any financial transactions made between owners, thus
creating transparency.
"Fans need to understand, you guys need to understand any
transaction that happens between clubs comes through the commissioner's
office," Cohon said. "We look at every transaction and we will hold
those to the highest scrutiny."
A report published Friday suggested Cynamon and Sokolowski
were leaning towards keeping the Argos, but were looking at
leaving Rogers Centre and possibly playing their home games at BMO
Field, the home of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC.
While moving to an outdoor venue would be enticing, there are
logistical problems. BMO Field isn't big enough for a regulation CFL turf.
The report said the Argos owners would be willing to consider playing on a shorter field or one with reduced end zones.
"This is a very recent development," Cohon said. "Our football
operations people have not had an opportunity to go in and look at this
in thorough detail.
"On the other hand, the integrity of our game and our field is
critically important and those things will be addressed in the coming
weeks."
Cohon praised the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for their amazing turnaround
in '09, finishing second in the East Division and hosting their first
home playoff game since 2001, after posting consecutive 3-15 campaigns. But
Cohon said the Ticats continue to lose money. Helping the southern
Ontario franchises remains a priority for the league.
Still, Cohon said the CFL is presently in stable condition
as it continues to weather the current recession. Attendance dropped
1.5 per cent in 2009 but Cohon added that the league drew more than two
million fans for the eighth straight season.
The good news was that the league's TV ratings on both TSN and
RDS (the cable network's French-speaking affiliate) continue to be
very strong. Cohon said the league experienced a four per cent increase
in merchandise sales in 2009 and next year will hold a regular-season
game in Moncton. Negotiations continue to progress in the return to Ottawa for the 2013 season.
However, not all was good for the CFL.
Cohon admitted the league experienced a double-digit decrease in its
corporate partnerships this season and that scoring in the usually
high-flying Canadian game dropped almost nine per cent this year.
Cohon was also disappointed at what he felt was a lack of discipline
- and sometimes respect - on the field as penalties were on the rise in
2009, with unnecessary roughness calls up a whopping 25 per cent.
"We often found ourselves in the league office contemplating
discipline for our players and in one case an entire team that
disrespected its opponent and on occasion coaches who failed to treat
officials or you, our media, the way you deserved to be treated," Cohon
said. "This will be addressed in the off-season and I'm confident in
2010 there will be marked improvement.
"At the same time, we are sober about our work ahead on key issues
such as Toronto and our collective bargaining agreement but are
optimistic that with hard work we can continue to build on the
successes we've had to date."