Ambrosie (l) said throughout pro sports, the global aspect of the game is creating fan intrigueGETTY IMAGES
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie recently "unveiled plans for what he calls CFL 2.0, a newly imagined global version of the Canadian game," which includes "creating partnerships with gridiron football leagues in 30 countries around the world" in places like Japan, England, France, Germany and Mexico, according to Ted Wyman of the WINNIPEG SUN. The plans will be "discussed at length" at the CFL BOG meetings Sept. 14, and the hope is to create an "opportunity for developing Canadian players, who have finished college or junior programs but have not been able to crack CFL rosters, to go to other countries and hone their skills." The CFL would also "look at recruiting players from other non-traditional gridiron football countries." There could be plans down the road to "play CFL games in international locations and send CFL coaches overseas" during the offseason. Some observers will "question this kind of big thinking, when the league has enough problems selling itself to Canadians in some of the country's biggest markets." There is also the "question of growth within Canada: Will Halifax be finally coming into the fold?" But Ambrosie "doesn't see those questions as roadblocks at all to growing the game internationally." Ambrosie: "If you look at all the pro sports leagues around the world, the global aspect of the game is creating fan intrigue. I think those are real opportunities for us" (WINNIPEG SUN, 9/5).
