Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has instituted CFL 2.0 in an attempt to promote the CFL around the world. During different discussions on ABC Rider Fans and other social media pages it would seem that fans have a less than average rating of how Ambrosie is handling the affairs of this league we love so much. With that in mind I revisited The Commish, a blog I published in May of 2017 and asked fans to tell me their thoughts on whether I had it right or the CFL got it right.
✅First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues. They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league. They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers. None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others. They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.
Randy Ambrosie, the 14th commissioner of the CFL, played offensive guard for Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton. He hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and played for the Manitoba Bison. After retiring from the CFL mostly due to injury he became secretary for the CFLPA and gained a degree in commerce. He was head of sales for HSBC Securities and worked for AGF Management Ltd. as head of sales and marketing. He was promoted to AGF Funds and was reportedly praised for his ability to shake things up. He became CEO of Accretive 360 Inc. and then went on to the investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall and MacTier as president and CEO. It would seem that Ambrosie not only has the knowledge of the Canadian Football League but also a better than firm grasp of business know how as well.
✅This is the Canadian Football League. Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made of...by having football teams located coast to coast. The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting.
Last season the story broke that the league was looking at expanding to a 10th team to be located in the Maritimes. Hallelujah! A contest was held to name the proposed team and in my opinion there was no other name that could possibly ever be used than the Atlantic Schooners. For years I've followed a fan who's Twitter account had a Schooners emblem and was a huge CFL fan. Even at Grey Cup fans showed up to all the parties. The name won the contest and was registered with the CFL. Soon after, and without a stadium to play in, season tickets were being sold and merchandise was marketed. While I think this is a huge win there are big hurdles to overcome as the question of a home and place to play games looms. When the 2019 CFL season schedule was released on December 20th it was also announced that two teams would be participating in a Touchdown Atlantic game. It seems like it's all really happening. If you want to stay up to date on the latest Schooners news then visit their website Atlantic Schooners.
✖Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions then this has to be something the new commissioner supports.
If I had a buzzer I'd be pressing it right now. It would have appeared early in Ambrosie's tenure that he might be the guy to set things straight. One of the first things he did was change the coaches challenge rules not only mid season but mid week. As time has gone on though other issues have become apparent. Player safety should be Randy's first concern. Without healthy players to play in the CFL we don't have a CFL. Quarterbacks seem to take the brunt of this lack of attention while their assaulters barely get a slap on the wrist. Only after Zach Collaros was removed from a game and there was a blatant hit to Brandon Bridge was a band aid applied. Was it to change a rule or discipline the offending player? No. Instead another official was added to the field. I'm not only complaining because this directly affected my Saskatchewan Roughriders but when we live in a time where talent is getting harder to find and lure to Canada we don't want to be losing our starting players to head injuries. This problem is two-fold. The referee's in the CFL need to be better educated and I don't believe for a second that they aren't intelligent because to evaluate on your feet and within seconds that something is or isn't a penalty is a job I'd not want. Fans become irate when told "I didn't see it because I wasn't looking" or "someone was standing in front of me." No. CFL fans deserve better and Randy Ambrosie, the fans and players demand better.
✔...they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.
My statement may have been a big short sighted. I realize these two things are likely out of the control of the CFL commissioner. Every once and a while someone brings up the idea of a video game. The CFL did come out with a video game app for tablets and smart phones called CFL Football Frenzy. No I am not the best person to play a game like this because I can't even succeed at Crossy Roads! However for a time it seemed like fans were having fun with it and at Christmas there was a release of a holiday version. Next up on the agenda is online streaming. As it stands, if you currently have a cable provider subscription you can stream games on the TSN site. They've also brought out a subscription service for people who have cut the cable cords. What I believe fans are really looking for though is for a game to be streamed on Facebook or Twitter or even by the CFL themselves. Many people depend on streaming services like Netflix for entertainment and why not? It's less expensive than a cable provider. This is the way of the future and I believe if it's made easier to watch then fans and prospective fans will tune in.
✖The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.
When I asked CFL fans for input on how Randy Ambrosie is doing as commissioner they didn't hold back.
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| John Strutt's (ABC Rider Fans Moderator) assessment of the Commissioner |
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| Jeff Scoggin (loyal football fan) lists his many concerns |
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| Kerry Etter from recent podcast fame uses a Jones coined quote |
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