Keith Pelley as the new commish, and give him the keys to the car. This guy has done an amazing job turning things around everywhere he's went, he goes to TSN, and did a complete 180 with them and left them in outstanding shape when he left, same with the ARgos. And I hope the panel on TSN start pushing him as the Commish, because they know he is perfect. We don't need anymore stiffs in there, we need someone like Pelley who will shake up CFL headquarters, and won't be some suit who sits in his office all day counting his money while waiting for five o'clock to roll around.
What do our experts think of this? Thrid and Ten? Roughyfan?
[url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1152741016716&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064]http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 0081593064[/url]
Pelley deftly dodging CFL job rumours
Argo president may have set sights on something bigger
Keith Pelley has been hearing the question so often lately that he has a stock answer for those ready, or even willing, to anoint him as the commissioner-in-waiting of the Canadian Football League.
"Yes, I've heard it quite a bit lately," the Toronto Argonauts' president and CEO said yesterday. "I have no intention (to take the job) at this particular time.
"We are committed to holding a great Grey Cup in Toronto in 2007 and I'm still working with the Toronto Argonauts as a project going forward. The work isn't finished here."
Pelley isn't necessarily looking at the CFL job that Tom Wright recently abandoned, under pressure from a couple of owners who clearly didn't see the same big picture Wright did. Whispers suggest the CFL is more interested in chasing Pelley than the other way around.
His accomplishments since taking the Argo job in November of 2003 are significant. The team has been on the rebound in areas of attendance, interest, sponsorship. He has a civic face through personal charity work and the Argos' laudable Stop The Violence program. Plus, Pelley and owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski have acquired a certain Teflon quality; they emerged from the Varsity-York-aw-forget-it stadium debacle with few scars and somehow managed to get away with hiring a big-name running back (Ricky Williams), thereby further raising the organization's profile. All of this might be tougher work than it sounds; as many headaches as a CFL commissioner inherits, surely dealing with eight self-serving owners while supervising a revered national institution (the Grey Cup) couldn't be substantially more difficult.
There are other names in the ring, inserted either on speculative terms in the prints or by the men in question, or their agents. Among the Toronto-based names one hears are former Raptor GM Glen Grunwald, who runs the Board of Trade; Michael Copeland, the CFL's chief operating officer; and Chris Rudge, man at the top of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Rudge, who calls such job talk "idle speculation," also reaffirms his commitment to the COC with the home Games of Vancouver 2010 rising on the horizon. Rudge was on the short list of final candidates when Wright got the job. There will be plenty of other names, advanced from across the country, but Pelley's is the one being heard widest so far.
He's already a member of the league's inner office as Argos' league governor and as chair of the CFL's broadcast committee. With his strong background in television — he used to hold the reins at TSN — he knows fully the importance of a good TV deal for both parties and how the next one will be constructed from both sides. Television is by far the most important marketing tool for any league and Pelley already knows the secret handshake there. Plus, he has a strong working relationship with the sponsors and business suppliers so critical to the future of not only the Argos, but the league itself.
"I'm working on the broadcast deal now and I love the league, no question about that,'' said Pelley, who is in his early 40s. "I'm sure we as a league need to look into the commissioner's role down the road, but myself in that job is just not something I would see in the near future.''
No telling what he means exactly by that. Wright holds office through this year's Grey Cup and Pelley said he has no intentions of separating from the Argos before the 2007 Cup. So there is an obvious timing roadblock to be circled. But there clearly are bigger things in Pelley's long-term future than running the Argonauts and one of the possibilities might eventually be the Blue Jays, right down the hall at the SkyDome. The CFL would do well in the meantime to lure him into its big chair.
Or maybe do what the NHL did and go after someone big from another league like Bettman and the NBA.
Hey, don't throw rocks at me guys, if the CFL can allow the Black Eyed Peas at halftime for the GC, why couldn't we go after someone from the NFL offices who has excellent business ties and that? Maybe an American is something we could use here?
Ok, I feel those stones, boulders etc. coming my way... ouch, not too hard, please!
I personnally wrote the BOG to recommend RedandWhite as the next commish. They told me that they consider him too as a prime candidate for the job, but that he’s only 78% sure about running for it.
Well, if RW is going to be commish, I hope that I'll be in the commish of the pre season, so I could try out my rules for one week there, but can't have them in the regular season w/o RW and the BOG permission
I heard that too, but I also heard they’re scared he might experiment with codpieces and capes during pre-season games.
[url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Simmons/2006/07/14/1684750-sun.html]http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Si ... 0-sun.html[/url]
Please consider this application for the position of commissioner of the Canadian Football League.
While I may not be qualified for the job -- in fact, I know I'm not -- it is my understanding that ability won't be taken into account throughout the hiring process.
(I am told Mr. Donald Crump was once commissioner.)
But in order to provide you with the requisite information on my career, I have put on retainer, Mr. Larry Smith, who promises to provide the same due diligence on my background that he delivered to the league on its apparent Orlando franchise and other American ventures.
One of the reasons the job as commissioner so interests me is that it has come to my attention that no real leadership skills or decision making is necessary for employment. And I assure you, I am quite capable of that.
RIGHT SALARY
For the right salary and the proper term, I would be willing to acquiesce at any given moment, turning control over to David Braley, Bob Wettenhall or Hugh Campbell or whomever requires it when needed on any matter of importance.
I would even agree to allowing Mr. Braley's name to be inscribed on all CFL footballs, the way I understand he would like it to be.
I even promise to look the other way if running backs are traded in mid-season for quarterbacks to be named later. And I promise to do the same with American criminals, lawbreakers, drug sellers, and anyone else we're able to sneak over the border who may want to play football for cheap.
I do, however, have some non-negotiable conditions that would have to be met in order to accept the position of commissioner. They are, as follows:
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The single-point rule, also known as the rouge, would have to be changed. Single points could no longer be attained from any place-kicking position, except points after touchdowns. In other words, no more points for missed field goals. And no more rewarding failure, except in the form of Danny Barrett contract extensions.
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The use of the term non-import would be banned from all CFL language. Because it's stupid. Non-imports are, in fact, Canadians. So let's call them that. It's the CFL not the NIFL.
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The no-yards rule would be changed to better the game and stop making players look silly. The five-yard restraining zone would still be applicable for punts being fielded out of the air. But once the ball hits the ground, the no-yards rule is waived. This is, after all, football. We teach players to pursue the ball, not tamely back away from it.
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Every team would be required to have a Canadian quarterback on their roster. The only way to find another Russ Jackson or even another Gerry Dattilio is to invest long-term in the position.
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Return the "naturalized" Canadian to the CFL. In other words, once an American player completes five full seasons in the league, his roster status changes from import to Canadians. That would encourage stable rosters and build name recognition in every CFL city.
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Bring the CFL's website into the modern ages. The website, for lack of a better term, stinks. The Ontario Varsity Football League has a more progressive website. If you want to be a pro, look like a pro. This is the online generation. Time to enter it.
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Shrink the end zones to 15 yards. The NFL end zone is too small. The CFL is too big. Fifteen yards is just right. You shouldn't be able to throw long on second and goal from the six-yard line.
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Until another franchise is added in Ottawa (as if that hasn't been tried) or Quebec City, dispense with the East and West format and have one eight-team league. Top four make the playoffs. Bottom four don't. It makes the season more competitive, more exciting. Also, shrink the 18-game season to 16-games, add one exhibition game, and remove the bye-weeks. All games, except on Labour Day and Thanksgiving, should be played on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
I hope you see merit in these proposals. Enclosed is my rather thin resume. I look forward to hearing from you.
Well, lots of opinions there for sure. Good luck Mr. Slam, I mean Simmons. Arrrggggg.
One thing about the Slam website is that their discussion forum is so archaic, you can't post a link that is live and editing a post is something in prehistoric times, impossible to do. And no ability to have graphics pop up. It is pre-kindergarten, at best.
Won't touch his other opinions, at this time.
At least, you don't have to carve your post in a rock like before...
True Third, they've graduated to the ink cartridge-filled pens at least. I remember using those in grade 3 I think it was - and that was many, many moons ago.