Montreal Alouettes co-owner Gary Stern recently spoke with the Montreal Gazette about his thoughts on the XFL/CFL talks. He says as long as the CFL keeps its ‘integrity’, it can be a good thing.
“If it keeps the CFL integrity and most of what we have intact, you’re talking about a much more global league, which can only be better than just Canada,” Stern told the Montreal Gazette. “The exposure is so much better than just being a Canadian league. That’s a straight business way of just looking at it.
“If it can’t happen,” he added, “we’re going to have a CFL that, we all know, needs some kind of reset and fixing.”
In talking with the people in the XFL, despite some people’s criticisms that the group has never run a football league, Stern thinks the XFL has the right people.
“They’re well-funded, well-versed, and know what it takes to run a business,” Stern said. “The team they’ve assembled certainly knows a lot about running sports teams. I’ve been in business; these are real solid, good people. … These are true professionals who know what they’re doing.”
Author Herb Zurkowsky goes on to talk to a source within the talks that says this idea of RedBird Capital buying the CFL or even help fund the league is not happening. His source said.
“nothing in it for (the XFL) to buy (the CFL) out.”
The main interest in both leagues talking and partnering is to potentially get a better TV deal for both leagues. According to his source.
“the value of CFL franchises would increase in a North American league with its accompanying U.S. television contract. “It’s pure math and business when you look at this,” the source noted.”
Stern is happy with the ‘uniqueness’ of the CFL and doesn’t see a need for change unless it is really worth it. Remember, both sides are only talking at this time.
“Am I happy playing three downs? I love that. I love its uniqueness. It would have to be something great for our league in order to trade that. I’d have to see the whole package — if the package ever happens.”
Stern along with his father-in-law, Sid Spiegel, purchased the Montreal Alouettes back in 2020.
David Tress
April 23, 2021 at 10:44 am
The merger will probably happen with three downs. But they’ll need to sign some big name players to get a good tv deal.