CFL Montreal Alouettes Owner Robert Wetenhall has "vehemently denied" speculation that had been "swirling for several weeks concerning the potential sale" of the franchise, according to Herb Zurkowsky of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. Wetenhall said, "Nobody's especially kicking the tires -- because there ain't anything to kick. We're not for sale. Nobody has bowled me over with an offer. I don't think anybody will. We're losing quite a bit of money." Zurkowsky notes the speculation of selling the team comes as it is in "danger of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season." The Alouettes' average attendance, "as high as 23,000 as recently" as '13, "sits at 19,817 through six home games at Molson Stadium." When asked if the decrease was concerning, Wetenhall said, "You're f--ing right it concerns me. Do pigs smell?" Wetenhall has "steadfastly maintained the franchise will remain in the family's hands indefinitely." Alouettes BOD Chair Paul Harris said, "I'm sure there are lots of people who would be interested. But I can definitely tell you Bob, at this point, has absolutely no interest in selling." Meanwhile, Zurkowsky noted Montreal "hasn't hosted a Grey Cup -- still the league's best means to recoup losses" -- since '08, and there are "no immediate plans to bring the CFL's marquee event to Olympic Stadium" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 9/9).
