The CFL Board of Governors convenes for a conference call
today, although it "appears unlikely" the league will get the
hard answers it is seeking from its U.S. team owners on the
viability of their franchises. Of the league's four U.S. teams -
- Baltimore Stallions, San Antonio Texans, Shreveport Pirates and
Birmingham Barracudas -- only Texans Owner Fred Anderson seems
prepared to decide on the coming season -- although he won't say
which way. Anderson said he told CFL Commissioner Larry Smith,
"I want to be the last person to speak. At that time, I'll
either say let's go or sayonara." CFL sources expect Anderson to
"pull the plug." The Pirates, seeking to move to Norfolk, have
run into problems securing public aid for renovation of Old
Dominion Stadium. The Barracudas are weighing a potential sale
and a possible move to Louisiana (Mike Ganter, TORONTO SUN,
1/11).
HORSE SENSE: The Stallions may be the only team to get an
extension, because of weather delays (TORONTO SUN, 1/11).
Stallions Owner Jim Speros plans to talk once more with Baltimore
officials on possible financial assistance before making a
decision on whether to stay or move to Houston or PA's Lehigh
Valley area. He plans a decision by tomorrow at the earliest
(Gary Lambrecht, Baltimore SUN, 1/11).
