Report Card ~ The Commish ~

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.

John Strutt's (ABC Rider Fans Moderator) assessment of the Commissioner

Jeff Scoggin (loyal football fan) lists his many concerns

Kerry Etter from recent podcast fame uses a Jones coined quote

Kerry (@kerette45) has it exactly correct.  Randy Ambrosie has made strides in some areas of the league that needed direction and help while in other areas the things implemented appear rushed into action with little detail being provided to media and fans.  Will CFL 2.0 actually work out?  Many fans are skeptical.  How will the coaching cap effect coaching development and luring new coaches to the CFL?  Can Ambrosie work with the CFLPA and strike a deal in the CBA negotiations?  These are all questions among others that require answers in the coming months.  So far...the jury is out.

The Commish

Congratulations to me!  I've been made the new Commissioner of the CFL!  My first order of business is to refund the Riders for all their fines and issue a statement saying they are in fact the envy of the league.  I'd immediately expand the CFL and put a team in the Maritime's.  Their team colours cannot be red or black...we've got enough confusion there, nor should their name contain 'rider' in any form.  I'd fine Wally Buono for always being in the refs ear.  I'd ban the Lions from wearing the all black uniforms because OUCH my eyes.  I'd hire an incredible marketing person and put up billboards across Canada and outside every stadium peddling our Canadian game.  I'd ban the Eskimo's Punter mascot because it looks like a damn angry potato.  I'd have a meeting with the Bombers and tell them to get their stadium fixed properly once and for all because their fans (ick) deserve better.  I'd get rid of all the new contact rules and let our players play football or at the very least institute the Dressler rule where a receiver cannot intentionally run into a DB to draw a penalty.  I'd hire a song writer and get the TiCats a new fight song because what is "oskee wee wee" anyway?   For the sanity of @RBeesFan I'd prevent any Redblack player from signing with the "stinky" Argo's.  I'd have to do something to the Stampeders for just being the Stamps. Oh yes...and I'd make sure people knew punters/kickers are players too.

Okay, so maybe it's not a good idea to hand over the reigns of the Canadian football league to a rabid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan.  However, when it was announced that Jeffrey Orridge would be stepping down from CFL Commissioner on June 30th, it got me to thinking about the qualities we really need at this position.

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.

Names like Michael Clemons, Duane Forde and Glen Suitor have been thrown around in conversation when fans and media discuss who should hold office next. We always like to provide names of people we are familiar with even though the CFL usually chooses names of people we don't know at all.  It's a tough line to walk.  We need someone who has a dynamic personality but who knows how to reign himself in and apply business rules and technique at the same time.  He/She should be logical, supportive and inspirational in their comments.  I don't think holding a designation for the CBC would be helpful while perhaps owning your own chain of stores or restaurants might better apply.

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.  The new Commissioner and his board needs to get the ball rolling on this.  It will unite fans from across the nation and bring everyone together in a great big CFL family.  I know this kind of thing takes time but I believe we are passed ready for a 10 team league.  Having 10 teams also makes us look better across the border, if that's an image we should be concerned with.  I personally have trouble following the NFL because there's so many teams...but the CFL?  Well, 10 is a really nice number for people unfamiliar with our funky 3 down game to follow.  This is the best way to #BringItIn and grow appeal everywhere.

Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions and this has to be something the new commissioner supports.  We've seen over the last few years players who are still in their prime deciding to retire because of concussion issues.  We've also seen outgoing Jeffrey Orridge provide statements where he denies concussion issues exist.  We've reached the time where we just can't do that anymore.  CFL players deserve someone who understands the research and...excuse the pun...is willing to face it head on.

Just as that candidate needs to know about health they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.  Is there a better way to appeal to young people than provide a way for them to play or watch games right on their phones or tablets?  "I can be Chad Owens in this cool new CFL game on my ipod".  Now how awesome would that be?  This season the NLL let fans stream a game on social media.  This is the way of the future.  We aren't always plugged in front of our televisions anymore...we're busy, sometimes we pvr (especially to ffwd through the nasal drainage commercials) and sometimes we are traveling and want to watch the game and many people don't even have cable packages anymore.  These idea's alone would catapult the league to another level.  This is the next relationship the commissioner needs to foster.  How can we bring these ideas to fruition?  I hope the next Commish knows!

These are a few of the items I've compiled about the qualities the new Commissioner of the CFL should have, how they should operate and things they should do.  After scouring the interweb, wondering what the actual duties entail I found a few pages in the CFL Constitution found here ---> CFL Bylaws & scroll to page 30.  Jeffrey Orridge is still commissioner until the beginning of the 2017 season June 30th.  Good luck to him in his future endeavors and good luck to the people searching for his replacement. The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.