The Atlantic Schooners will be the name of the prospective CFL expansion team in Halifax, and the ownership group "intends to soon launch a drive to recruit corporate sponsorship," according to Francis Campbell of the Halifax CHRONICLE-HERALD. The name was announced Friday during an event that is "part of the Grey Cup festivities in Edmonton that was live-streamed across the country." Ownership had suggested "four possible names: Admirals, Convoy, Storm and Schooners," while two other names "were suggested by season-ticket investors -- the Privateers and Destroyers." The newly renamed Schooners Sports & Entertainment has "received more than 5,000 season-ticket deposits, which place the holders on a priority list for seat selection on a first-deposited, first-served basis." The group would "like to see at least half the stadium's seating sold as season packages." Meanwhile, SS&E announced that AMJ Campbell Van Lines President Bruce Bowser is the "third principal member of the ownership group," joining Anthony LeBlanc and Gary Drummond. The group has proposed a 24,000-seat stadium that will cost C$170-190M "on the east side of Halifax harbour." Construction would "take two years," meaning SS&E is looking at fielding the team for the '21 season (Halifax CHRONICLE-HERALD, 11/24).
WORKING WITH LEAGUE SUPPORT: CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie during his state of the league address Friday indicated that the league has "signed a step-by-step agreement of what needs to be accomplished to get the franchise launched." He said, "The big hurdle is the stadium." However, he added the league is "totally committed to their efforts to get that 10th team" (CP, 11/23).
