Lionbackers.com

Report: CFL board vote was clear indicator of Ambrosie's standing with governors

Oct 31/24
Dave Naylor

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/sources-cfl-boar ... -1.2198277

When a Board is this divided on retention, it's not a good sign for the incumbent who as Randy Ambosie says himself it will some 8 years in the role when he steps down.

But league sources said earlier this month the league's board of governors voted on Ambrosie's future. They said seven or more teams had to vote in favour of removing Ambrosie for it to become official.

That didn't happen. But according to the sources the vote was still 5-4 in favour, a clear indication that Ambrosie didn't have the board's full support.

I have no clue on the CFL Board of Governors dynamics so it's hard to say why they'd call a vote knowing the division unless there were strong forces pushing to go to market for a new leader. Sometimes to avoid minuting it, they do a straw vote or someone forces a vote.

Dave Naylor who's always cautious in expandinig on what he hears as a true CFL insider states what all fans should know, league sponsorships that bring in the big dollars are tough to get in Canada and it's not due to Corporations not having excess profits. They've been binging on share buybacks in Canada for over a decade.


There is a football side to the CFL success but on the marketing and bringing in big dollars, that's got to be a job the new Commissioner is adept at.

And a big reason for that, according to the sources, was that league distributions — monies the league distributes to its teams through its partnerships and sponsorships — did not reach the governors' expectations.

'Expansion is not closer than when the Commish arrived' was another Naylor comment.

CFL expansion is based on finding or expanding a stadium to seat 20-25k fans. Always has been, always will be, and there is not much a CFL commissioner, past present, or future can do about that. Getting good team ownership is something a commish can influence and right now CFL team ownership is pretty good.

Ambrosie has been a visionary leader. He promoted visions of a 10th franchise, international TV exposure and new gaming partnerships, which are all potential pathways to growth, even though they’re not easily achievable in the short term. But he also strengthened the league’s fundamentals through strong ownership, stable franchises, long-term labour peace and a competitive on-field product. We can talk about long-term visions for the league because there are no short-term crises to be resolved. That will be his lasting legacy.

B.C.FAN wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2024 10:27 pm Ambrosie has been a visionary leader. He promoted visions of a 10th franchise, international TV exposure and new gaming partnerships, which are all potential pathways to growth, even though they’re not easily achievable in the short term. But he also strengthened the league’s fundamentals through strong ownership, stable franchises, long-term labour peace and a competitive on-field product. We can talk about long-term visions for the league because there are no short-term crises to be resolved. That will be his lasting legacy.

BCFan ---That's a fair assessment and detailing of the things that have moved the CFL forward. The league and ownership and the football played by all teams in the CFL is in better shape today than it was when he took over.

I just watched the Alouettes end of year assessment with Pres Mark Weightman, GM Danny Macioca (the first two speaking in French and English) and HC Jason Maas. No ownership drama, team on the field is doing well with the only controversy at QB given the young Davis Alexander soon a FA wanting a starting job. TSN's shot of Davis post game on one knee was telling.

Ottawa is no longer controversial at the top and they're back to competitive. Granted when Lapo was there he had no QB and each team is only as good as the starting QB and his play.

BC - good ownership.

Edmonton - good owner it seems. Drama down.

Far too often these days, it's too much on the negatives versus a balanced perspsective that helps fan KEEP PERSPECTIVE.

It's not an easy job as it's a league of franchises with different owners and diverse interests and the Commissioner has many masters with differing views.

It's not like a pizza or Mr Lube franchise owners meetings where the owners serve the corporate master. The CFL corporate has only the power given by the franchise owners.