Around the CFL: As Labour Day looms, Ambrosie offers mid-season thoughts

Since becoming CFL commissioner in 2017, Randy Ambrosie has been consistent in looking on the bright side.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Ambrosie stressed the positives when asked how he felt about the league heading into the traditional start of the second half of the season — Labour Day weekend.

“There are many reasons to be excited about the first half of 2023,” Ambrosie said in a phone interview. “You almost have to go back to the Montreal situation and the announcement Pierre Karl Péladeau was the new owner. That really kind set us on a very positive path to  the year.

“Rolling into the season, scoring is up. So many of the the things we’ve been saying — fun, fast and entertaining. That’s our brand and we’ve seen a lot of that in the first half of the season.”

Of course, this is the CFL, so not all is rosy. In fact, as usual, there are plenty of concerns and issues.

Ambrosie is right — some good things have happened this year and the games, for the most part, seem better. But the commish has some hurdles to overcome as 2023 winds down.

We asked him about some of the big topics.

Alberta Woes

Calgary and Edmonton are traditionally strong franchises for the CFL, but that hasn’t been the case this year.

The Stampeders’ on-field product has slipped and attendance is a concern at aging McMahon Stadium. The Elks’ problems are well documented, though at least they’ve won two in a row.

The annual Labour Day home-and-home features two teams currently out of playoff spots.

“If you look around world of pro sports, everything is at least a little bit cyclical,” Ambrosie said. “Nobody gets to ride high forever. We’ve had enormous success in Calgary and Edmonton.”

So why does he think things will turn around in both cities?

“I’m betting on and I think it’s an incredibly smart bet to bet on Calgary Sports and Entertainment. I’m betting on Murray Edwards, I’m betting on John Bean, I’m betting on John Hufnagel. It’s a great coaching staff and great organization … Yes, it’s a little bit of a down time but I believe they’ll get things on track in Calgary.

“Edmonton has been a very difficult situation but there’s a huge fan base there and there always has been. Now, we’ve got to find a way to activate that fan base and get them re-engaged.”

Football Operations Cap

Introduced in 2019 to level the playing field, the cap has turned out to be a challenge for some teams — especially Edmonton, because the Elks have fired so many football employees in recent years and are trapped by the cap.

The cap controls spending on non-playing football employees. But fired employees have to be paid out, creating a logjam.

Ambrosie said there is an ongoing discussion about the cap.

“It was (introduced) for the right reasons,” he said. “It was put into place to help organize the league and be more fiscally disciplined, but sometimes there are unintended consequences and we have to be willing to step back and say ‘what did we get right?’ The purpose of the cap was the right purpose but did we get it all right? I think that’s question we’re examining right now: is there room for improvement?”

Expansion

The league staged another successful regular-season game in Atlantic Canada with a sellout crowd of more than 11,000 on hand for the Toronto Argonauts’ win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.

The league is now focusing on Halifax as a potential 10th city, but going east has been a dream for decades.

Ambrosie has held talks with Halifax Mayor Mike Savage. There has been some buzz about expanding the stadium at Saint Mary’s.

“There are really positive conversations going on in the community,” he said. “Those things are pointing us in right direction. Does it get done? It’s the question you can’t answer… Do I think we’re in a better situation that we’ve been in in a long time? I do. Real proof-points bear that out. But when you’re late in a game and drive all the way to the red zone, the red zone is really nice but it only really matters if you score … I think now we need a few things to go our way.”

Is there a potential ownership group?

“There are a number of groups that have put up their hand and those conversations are ongoing.”

Ambrosie said he’s committed to having an expansion report to the board of governors for a December meeting.

Stats Fiasco

The league’s statistics remain a disaster, though things have improved in recent weeks.

But still, the public cannot access historical stats, along with many other issues.

The trouble has come under the league’s partnership with Genius Sports.

“Frustrating is the right word. I would say disappointing is the (next) word,” Ambrosie said.

Ambrosie insists things will improve.

“(Genius Sports is) disappointed as well. They’ve been at the table and they haven’t hidden from the challenges. They’ve stepped on the gas. Saying all that, it’s super disappointing. You can never disrespect the fact our media partners and fans have been disappointed. But in the end, this is all in (an effort to create) something really big and important and how this platform connects us to long-term opportunities. It’s really a way of engaging a new generation of fans who want to watch our games differently.”

Power Rankings

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1. Toronto Argonauts (8-1, first last week): Getting QB Chad Kelly locked up to a three-year extension is a good thing.

2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-2, second last week): Zach Collaros threw three interceptions against Montreal and the Bombers still scored 47 points.

3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-5, fifth last week): Having a bye helps when some of the higher-ranked teams look bad.

4. B.C. Lions (7-4, third last week): Home loss to Hamilton was one of most surprising results of the season.

5. Montreal Alouettes (6-4, fourth last week): Were on short week for trip to Winnipeg. Very interesting game against B.C. on Saturday.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-6, ninth last week): RB James Butler led the way, exacting revenge on his old team in B.C.

7. Edmonton Elks (2-9, eighth last week): A 22-game home losing streak came to an end as QB Tre Ford was strong again in a win over Ottawa.

8. Calgary Stampeders (3-8, seventh last week): Long playoff streak in real jeopardy if Stamps can’t sweep Elks next two weeks.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (3-8, 6th last week): Have lost five in a row and are on the bye this week.

Week 13 Picks

B.C. Lions (-3.5) at Montreal Alouettes, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Lions QB Vernon Adams Jr. returns to Montreal as a starter for the first time since last year’s mid-season trade. PICK: B.C.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-7.5) at Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Roughriders have won 14 of past 17 Labour Day Classics. PICK: Saskatchewan

Toronto Argonauts (-8.5) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Monday, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT: Ticats had won nine of 10 Labour Day Classics before last year’s Toronto win. PICK: Hamilton

Edmonton Elks at Calgary Stampeders (-4.5), Monday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Labour Day Classic series is tied 30-30-1. PICK: Edmonton

2023 Picks Record: 24-23

Odds from FanDuel.

More from Sportsnet

Argonauts, quarterback Chad Kelly agree to three-year extension

Blue Bombers can become first CFL team to clinch playoff spot with win in Week 13

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