Montreal businessman Clifford Starke will "formally announce Thursday his 'intent to purchase'" the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, according to Dan Ralph of the CP. Brad Smith, a former CFL player who now serves as a consultant with Starke's potential ownership group, said, "This is not purely a business decision, it’s a passion decision. The guy wants the team and wants to do it for the right reasons.” Starke, 35, has "acted as a consultant, adviser and/or director to more than 15 publicly listed companies." Starke and Smith "grew up together in Montreal" in the '00s attending Alouettes games. Football has "long been a cornerstone" for Smith's family. His father, Larry, was the CFL's ninth Commissioner and served as Alouettes President from '97-'01. Last week, the CFL said that Allouettes Owner Robert Wetenhall continues to own the team amid "much speculation the league has assumed control of the franchise and will be tasked with finding a new owner." It appears Starke’s group is "front and centre" with former CFL player Eric Lapointe announcing Friday his potential ownership group was "no longer in the running to purchase" the team. Last month, former NHLer Serge Savard was said to be "involved in a potential Alouettes ownership group but quickly denied any such involvement" (CP, 4/8).
