As CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon completes his tenure, he is "leaving the league in better shape now than when he took the reins eight years ago," but the future of the Argonauts "remains unclear and not fixing their problems will be one of his biggest regrets," according to Dan Ralph of the CP. Cohon, in his final state-of-the-league address Friday prior to the Grey Cup, "acknowledged that his inability to resolve Toronto’s stadium issue -- the Argos still haven’t found a new home with their Rogers Centre lease set to expire in 2017 -- is a blemish on his record." Cohon said, "Would I like to have had the bow tied around that before I leave as commissioner? Absolutely. We have to change the experience for Argos fans and I think a new home is a big part of that puzzle.” Ralph noted off the field, attendance and the league’s TV ratings were "both down but Cohon remained bullish on the CFL’s standing on the Canadian sports landscape." Cohon: “We’re second only to the NHL in this country ... but there are things we definitely need to focus upon.” Ralph noted "there were successes in 2014 for the CFL, including a successful return to Ottawa." The expansion RedBlacks posted just two wins but "did sell out all of their home games." During Cohon’s tenure, the Tiger-Cats, B.C. Lions, Blue Bombers, RedBlacks and Alouettes have "either moved into new stadiums or refurbished venues," with the Roughriders scheduled to move into a new facility in '17. Cohon added, "We’ve entered what I think is a period of stability. It’s my hope this stability and strength we have today will give a long runway for the next commissioner" (CP, 11/28).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: In Vancouver, Cam Cole reported the "unhappy marriage of the Toronto Argonauts and their thoroughly unsuitable home stadium may be, at long last, in the final stages of a semi-amicable divorce." Owner David Braley is in “ongoing” conversations with MLSE to "arrange a lease for the football team to play at BMO Field." Cohon said, "I think there is support at the board level of MLSE." CFL BOG Chair Jim Lawson added, “I’m confident we’re going to get this resolved. As to the time frame, it’s somewhat beyond our control, but rest assured we’re on top of it.” Cole wrote, "If this actually comes together, it would be like excising a massive boil from the CFL’s rear end, for Toronto has long been the missing link in a league that has considerable appeal in the rest of the country." Meanwhile, Lawson said that the search for Cohon’s replacement is "well underway, and that there have been 'strong' applicants -- and the search committee hopes to have its man in place by April." Cohon said that whoever takes the job will have to "tackle some intriguing challenges," including perhaps "moving the season ahead by as much as a month to avoid frigid November weather." Cohon: “I’ve loved every minute of this job, and it has been an absolute honour.” Cole: "The CFL was lucky to have him" (
VANCOUVER SUN, 11/29).
CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD: TSN.ca's Dave Naylor wrote of Cohon, "It’s fair to look back and say his eight-year run has marked a period of stability and growth for the CFL." But there are "some clouds on the horizon that the CFL needs to address quickly in order to sustain the overall momentum it’s enjoyed over the past decade or so." First and foremost is the Argonauts, who have "rarely been as less relevant than they are today, buried under the attention paid to the city’s other pro sports franchises and without a venue that allows them to attract fans through a live game experience." Then there are the Alouettes, who have "seen attendance dip in recent seasons and drew just 15,000 fans to a playoff game two weeks ago." But perhaps the "most important thing the CFL needs to address is the product itself." The CFL game this past year was "more defensive, less explosive and less exciting than it used to be" (TSN.ca, 11/27).
UNDERSTANDING THE FAN: In Toronto, Bruce Arthur wrote Cohon "came to understand the organic bond between the league and its fans; he learned it, and he lived it," and he was "treasured by the end." The next commissioner will "have to understand that connection, and be careful not to sever it" (TORONTO STAR, 11/29). In Vancouver, Gordon McIntyre cited a study by Canada-based Angus Reid Institute as showing that "slightly more than half of Canadians” think the Grey Cup is “an important aspect of Canadian culture and identity.” Asked if they had a league preference, 44% “chose the CFL,” while 29% chose the NFL. But broken down by age, “two stories emerged from the poll of 1,504 Canadians.” Two-thirds of those aged 18-34, asked if they were “allowed to watch only one league’s championship game, chose the Super Bowl; two-thirds of those older than 55 chose the Grey Cup.” The “inverse relationship between those under 34 and those over 55 demonstrates an aging fan base for the CFL.” ARI Senior VP Shachi Kurl said, “It’s the story of an aging population solidly onside” (Vancouver PROVINCE, 11/29). YAHOO SPORTS CANADA's Ian Denomme wrote a concern for Cohon's successor is "growing the league among younger fans." Cohon: “We have to become a great content company. The best way to grow as a content company is to ensure that our game and athletes appeal to the casual fans and next generation of fans. ... Today and in the future we have to reach out to the next generation of fans. But we also have to make sure our league remains a great game" (CA.SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/28). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly wrote, "For all but one day of the year, the CFL is the Reform Party of sports leagues -- a big deal on the farm, an object of genuine curiosity for city types. Everybody in this country wants Canadian football to do well, but there are no casual fans. You’re either right into it, or you have no idea what’s going on" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/29).
