Sportsnet has learned three ownership groups are currently in the midst of serious talks with the CFL about the prospect of purchasing the Ottawa Renegades.
Sportsnet.ca -- Years of on-field failure have not scared off potential suitors for the Ottawa Renegades franchise.
Sportsnet has learned three ownership groups are currently in the midst of serious talks with the CFL about the prospect of purchasing the Ottawa Renegades.
The CFL and its Board of Governors held a conference call Wednesday to discuss the particulars surrounding the possibility of a deal between the league and three new suitors to purchase the fledgling franchise. Two of the ownership groups have significant business ties within Ontario, while the other group is American-based.
The biggest problem now facing the CFL comes down to the sheer timing of getting a deal done, with the next 10-14 days being crucial to stabilizing the short-term future of the Renegades.
One CFL governor told Sportsnet, the current situation is as "precarious as having an egg in a vice grip" that could crack at any point. If a deal isn't done by mid-April, then the Renegades will almost certainly suspend operations and have a dispersal draft.
There is even the possibility that the CFL could get one of the groups to purchase the team, but still not operate this season due to time constraints.
Today's reports in Ottawa papers regarding the firing of the Renegades coaching staff were not necessarily inaccurate, but likely just premature at this point as the league scrambles to put a new owner in place in the immediate future.
This is great news ... where there's smoke there's fire, etc. Rumours, at this point, can only help. But as I said in another post, my suggestion is to avoid the American owner ... successful American ownership in the CFL is BY FAR the exception to the norm.
I'm apprehensive, but I still have faith that the CFL will pick a good owner - look at their track record, with Hamilton and Toronto.
March 28, 2006
Mr. Arash Madani
A Channel
Dear Arash,
Thank you for your invitation to the “Town Hall� meeting you are hosting tomorrow
evening. As my office communicated yesterday, and I think you will understand, I
am not able to participate as I am attending other meetings at this time related to
the Ottawa Renegades.
This is an immensely difficult issue for everyone involved, and particularly our fans in
Ottawa-Gatineau. There should be no question that we are doing everything
possible to arrive at a positive solution for our franchise in Ottawa and ideally one
that would see the Renegades compete in the 2006 season.
Clearly, last year’s experience in Ottawa was anything but positive for Renegades’
fans. I understand this as well as anyone and assume responsibility for where we are
today. That is fact for the history books and not a subject I intend to delve into. My
goal and the goal of the Board of Governors is to return the Ottawa franchise to a
position of health as quickly as possible.
Ottawa is a strong sports city and a strong CFL market. We need to look no further
than the Senators and the Ottawa 67’s to know what committed ownership and
leadership can deliver. To that end, we are in discussions with a number of potential
owners who recognize the vitality of the market and the fit for our brand of sport. We
are working hard to identify the right organization that can be assembled to operate
the Renegades this year, pulling from the depth of talent that exists within this
League and beyond. We will, however, not sacrifice quality this time around for a
quick fix to this difficult situation.
I will be present in Ottawa over the coming days and weeks and was, in fact, in the
city earlier today. I will be meeting with various officials as our plans unfold.
I appreciate your patience and your support of the franchise and promise that we
will communicate progress as real news becomes available.
Regards,
Tom E.S. Wright
Commissioner
XGamer, good to hear that you were out there, even though you're an Als fan. If I didn't live in Calgary, I'd have been there too. I'm mostly interested in the viability of the CFL. How many people were out there? Was it packed?
XGamer I watched on TV and it came across pretty good. No one asked Eric whether he would be interested again as GM. Did he say anything afterwards? What was his/your sense the likelihood something will be done this weekend.
In defence of the crowd, this event wasn't advertised at all to my knowledge (perhaps mentioned in A Channel news, Team 1200). The only people who probably knew of it were folks on this site and members of Renegade Nation.
If they would have advertised I know there would have been more...
