At a time when the CFL has decided to "cut off" financial
aid for the Ottawa Rough Riders, CFL Commissioner Larry Smith has
agreed to help finance the Montreal Alouettes, according to this
morning's GLOBE & MAIL. Marty York reports Smith has promised to
loan the Alouettes as much as C$500,000, if needed. But other
CFL owners, including league Chair John Tory, are "upset." One
CFL club exec: "It's absurd. ... Where's the consistency?
Where's the logic?" Tory: "Frankly, I'm uncomfortable about it.
It's my feeling that the league should hang tough and refrain
from propping up clubs, or we risk getting ourselves into another
situation like we have in Ottawa." This week, Tory announced the
Riders must "independently raise" C$1.9M through investors by
September 9, or the team will fold. As for the Alouettes, Owner
Jim Speros cites the failure of the Province to make good on
C$1.375M in loans. Still, Tory believes local support for the
team is possible, rather than league involvement. The dispute
also raises the issue of Smith's tenure with his contract
expiring soon. Tory would not comment on talk of him becoming
Commissioner. Also floated for Commissioner or Chair is Rough
Riders President Jim Durrell (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/28).
