The AFL New England Sea Wolves were formally sold
yesterday to Toronto-based Rogers Communications, according
to Michael Grange of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, who notes
that the team will be renamed the Phantoms and play at the
Air Canada Centre. Terms of the sale were not announced,
but AFL Commissioner David Baker said that the price of a
new AFL franchise "was in the range" of US$10M. Rob Godfrey
-- the son of Blue Jays President Paul Godfrey -- was named
Chair & CEO (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/18). Rob Godfrey said that
the Phantoms "must average" between 10,000-12,000 fans per
game "to break even" and added that the team's average
ticket price will be C$26 (CP, 10/18). The CP's Dan Ralph
writes that though the AFL has national TV deals in the
U.S., the Phantoms "have yet to negotiate" a TV deal in
Canada. Ralph: "However, that could be a moot point given
Rogers' ownership of the franchise" (CP, 10/18).
SQUEEZE PLAY? CFL Argonauts Owner Sherwood Schwarz said
yesterday that he "is worried" the Phantoms "will help
squeeze the CFL out of the city." Schwarz: "This is the
start of the NFL coming to Toronto. I think it's ironic
that Canadians are looking to bring in American football and
replace Canadian football." But Rogers President & CEO Tony
Viner said that the company's investment in the Phantoms
"has nothing to do with seeking" an NFL team. Viner: "I
don't think this has a huge impact on that other than to
establish our credentials as a company that's interested in
operating sports franchises." Schwarz said that CFL owners
"have discussed countering" the AFL's arrival in Canada by
forming their own indoor football league to begin in 2002,
or by aligning with the XFL (TORONTO STAR, 10/18). Schwarz:
"When Ted Rogers is talking about bringing the NFL in, now
you have to take it seriously" (TORONTO SUN, 10/18).
BORDER WAR: CFL President Jeff Giles: "I'm disappointed
in the [AFL] because they said they wouldn't do anything to
harm or hurt the CFL. I think it is extremely naive to say
that [AFL] won't hurt the CFL. ... Will more competition
make us better? Hopefully, it will, but being better might
not necessarily be the right solution" (CP, 10/18).
