Why I should be the new CFL commissioner

You might wonder why the CFL should hire another American-born person to be the new commissioner of the league. And I wouldn't blame you if you thought a Canadian would do a better job. But consider one American who would be superb in the position: me.

Tom Wright was the last Canadian-born permanent commissioner (2002-2006). Mark Cohon (2007-2015) and Jeffrey Orridge (2015-2017) are both American-born. Orridge's last day was yesterday. As the CFL put it yesterday, "Jim Lawson, the Chair of our Board of Governors, will assume the duties of the Commissioner until the search for a permanent successor has been completed."

So why should the CFL hire me?

As a practicing journalist, I don't have the business skills to run a league that deals with millions of dollars. I don't have the business or professional contacts that would come in handy in running a league. But I could hire people to handle those activities. I would be a good CFL commissioner because I would be a great ambassador for the league.

I know how the sports media landscape works in Canada and the United States. I've been to a game in every CFL city. I haven't been in a single skybox at a CFL game; I have sat among the true fans of the sport.

I have (finally) mastered the rules of the game. I still can't tell you offsides in the NHL but I can follow the action in a CFL game. And I know how to improve the game while keeping the traits that make Canadian football special.

I've even been out east for Touchdown Atlantic in 2013 in Moncton, sitting in the worst seat in the house that day. Not too many CFL commissioners can say that.

I have a good sense of what can be done in Toronto having gone to games in Rogers Centre and last season at BMO Field. I know what the seats are like at McMahon Stadium and have been blinded by the sun at an early afternoon game at BC Place.

While I do have allegiances to Anthony Calvillo, I don't hold any specific pride in a particular franchise. All 9 (and hopefully 10) teams have the same importance to me. I would be proud that 7 of the 9 franchises have won a Grey Cup in the last decade.

I also offer something that most CFL commissioners can't imagine. I wouldn't be using this position as a way to make money after I leave. I would be more than happy to spend the next 20 years as the CFL commissioner. And I would be wise enough not to abuse my trust with power a la Gary Bettman. 

I would balance out the needs of the owners and the TV rights with the desires for the fans, I would know how to grow the game in Canada and the United States. I would try and get a secondary U.S. TV partner for the games in September and October. I would get the league to produce a 30-minute weekly show that would run on regional sports networks in the United States.

I would be very comfortable being in Canada and traveling to CFL cities. I am an articulate public speaker who can convey the significance of Canadian football within Canada and the understanding to share that around the globe. 

Canadian football might be the last sports league I really enjoy anymore. I share people's feelings about sports and can point out what makes Canadian football special. There is a shared commonality. The players make decent but not exorbitant salaries. The game is fun and the fans enjoy the unusual ways to score. I know this feeling as a fan and would be glad to share that with the sports world. 

More Americans would like the CFL if they had an easier time accessing the league.

Even if the CFL goes in a different direction for a commissioner, I would still make a fine ambassador for the CFL. All I need is to move my stuff to Toronto and sublet my apartment. Just consider this my thanks for making Canada my home.

logo credit: CFL

Comments

[Tyler]

Awesome blog post Chad!!

[Chad]

Thanks. It's fun to dream. Still would have better than Orridge.