Saskatoon CFL team under discussion
CBC News
Posted: Feb 1, 2012 2:27 PM CST
Last Updated: Feb 1, 2012 3:48 PM CST
Saskatchewan has some of the CFL's most devoted fans, but could the province support a second team? A group in Saskatoon thinks it's worth taking a look at. (CBC)Could Saskatchewan someday be home to two Canadian Football League teams?
Management at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon have confirmed they've been pursuing a CFL franchise for the city since 2009.
The revelation is found in two recent lawsuits filed against the entertainment venue.
Rich Gabruch, the chair of the Centre's board of directors, confirmed that employees went to Texas to look at stadiums.
"Management, I think, considered a trip to an NFL facility as useful to determine what kind of facility needs we had to put together a full package for that project to determine if it was feasible," Gabruch said.
Gabruch took over the CFL file for the Centre last summer.
The lawsuits were filed this week by two senior managers who were fired for what the board says was an unauthorized trip to Phoenix.
The managers said the trip was similar to other authorized trips and part of the mission pertained to a possible CFL franchise and stadium project.
The statement of claim contains allegations that haven't been proven in court.
The Regina-based Saskatchewan Roughriders are one of the league's most financially successful franchises and most of their games are sell-outs.
On Wednesday afternoon, Riders president Jim Hopson said talk of possible Saskatoon CFL team is a tribute to the Riders brand. However, he’s not sure if there’s enough fan and corporate support for two teams.
It’s tough enough getting support for one new stadium, let alone two, he said.
He added that it’s unhelpful for people to compare a potential Regina-Saskatoon rivalry with Calgary-Edmonton, because both Alberta cities are much bigger.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- Tussle in a driveway the focus of off-duty police officer's assault trial
- The trial of an 11-year-veteran of the Regina Police Service is underway. more »
- Senator Merchant remains mum on off-shore trust
- While many senators are talking about the expense scandal this week, one senator from Saskatchewan has remained mum about a separate controversy involving an off-shore trust. more »
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- Knights advance to Memorial Cup semifinal
- Bo Horvat scored on a short-handed penalty shot in the first period and Jake Patterson made 32 saves Thursday as the London Knights defeated host Saskatoon 6-1 in the tiebreaker game at the Memorial Cup. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Rob Ford councillors set to take over if mayor steps down
- Members of Rob Ford's executive committee say they are prepared to take over the day-to-day running of the city of the Toronto mayor is no longer able to perform his duties amid a scandal involving allegations he was caught on video smoking crack cocaine. more »
- Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour
- The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour. more »
- Washington state bridge collapse injures 3
- A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed last night, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle. more »
- 3D printers give rise to 'desktop manufacturing'
- Customizable objects from plastic dollhouse furniture to medical prosthetics can now be designed and printed out by almost anyone at the press of a button, and is going to lead to an 'explosion of new stuff,' predicts author Chris Anderson. more »
- Rob Ford fired chief of staff for telling mayor to 'get help'
- CBC News has learned the details of what precipitated the firing of Mark Towhey as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff — and it was advice from Towhey that Ford needs to 'get help.' more »
- Regina neighbourhood told to put trash in bags, not carts
- Tussle in a driveway the focus of off-duty police officer's assault trial
- Senator Merchant remains mum on off-shore trust
- Senator wipes tears from eyes discussing expenses scandal
- High-risk sex offender living in Regina halfway house
- Man charged in brutal Saskatoon attack
- Regina man dies after north end incident
- Saskatchewan gets D on health report card
- Fever medicine for infants, children under recall
CBC PROUD SPONSOR OF SASKATCHEWAN MARATHON
CBC PROUDLY SPONSORS THE TIMERAISER
