CFL Commissioner, Mark Cohon, was in Ottawa Tuesday encouraging councillors that CFL Football is very close to returning to the capital for 2014, in addition to building a new stadium.
“We're committed. We want to be back and we want to win your loyalty back,” said Cohon.
He said a new Lansdowne means a new chapter for the sport in the capital.
“We are 110 per cent committed to this market. We have great local ownerships,” said Cohon. “The CFL of today is different than the CFL 10 years ago with high ratings and loyal fans.”
This addition to the city is getting students at the University of Ottawa excited.
“As football players we love watching CFL and we love that it's back in Ottawa,” said Aaron Colbon, Gee Gees Football Player.
Any delay in the construction of the new stadium could mean no CFL football for 2014.
“We'd have to know probably by the end of next year if the stadium is on track…whether we allow that expansion draft to happen or not,” said Cohon.
“We got to get going and another reason why we're putting these reports together today and again next week, is so we can hit the ground running and not miss the deadline,” said Jim Watson, Ottawa Mayor.
The CFL has also reconfirmed the Grey Cup will arrive to the capital within the four years of the first kick-off in Ottawa.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s John Hua.
