The CFL and the NFL announced an alliance "to help
support the long-term growth" of football in Canada, which
includes a $3M advance to the CFL from NFL Enterprises. As
part of the alliance, the NFL will provide marketing and
grassroots program support to the CFL and the two leagues
will "explore" playing an annual "World Classic Bowl"
between the World League and CFL champions beginning in '98
(NFL). The five-year deal includes an expanded schedule of
promotional NFL games in Toronto and Vancouver during either
the exhibition or regular season (Howard Schneider,
WASHINGTON POST, 4/10). In Toronto, Rick Fraser notes the
$3M is to be repaid by the CFL out of new income that arises
from the partnership through sponsorship, merchandising and
increased TV revenue (TORONTO STAR, 4/10). USA TODAY's
Gordon Forbes notes the alliance "opens the way" for
increased player movement and a "unique feeder system:
World League-to-CFL-to-NFL" (USA TODAY, 4/10). NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the agreement "does not in
any way change our view of possible future expansion into
Canada" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/10).
REAX: In Toronto, the GLOBE & MAIL's Stephen Brunt:
"We will all find out whether a product can be made sexy by
association, whether a game that has fallen so far out of
the public imagination (especially in the East, especially
for anyone under 40) can find a way back" (GLOBE & MAIL,
4/10). USA TODAY's Forbes notes the deal's effect on the
fledgling All-American Football League, expected to launch
in '98, which "had expected to stock teams" with WLAF and
CFL players." Forbes: "Tagliabue threw them a nifty curve
with the new alliance. A deadly curve if the CFL and NFL
ever start exchanging players" (USA TODAY, 4/10).
