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Canadian Football League 02 4 sports & recreation • Canadian Football League

Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL)

Mark Cohon was named Commissioner new stadium, target- of the Canadian Football League (CFL) ed for play in 2017, to the BC Lions’ renovated BC in 2007. Under his direction, the CFL Place, to the return of a CFL franchise in . has realized a renaissance, reaching strong The many league-wide stadium developments ac- television ratings, a growing licensing count for more than $1 billion in Canadian infra- business, and record sponsorship numbers. structure projects. Game attendance has also increased under “When you look at infrastructure, I can’t think Cohon. of another professional sports league in terms of the percentage of teams that are going through An eight-team league, the CFL has recently ex- stadium projects,” Cohon said in an interview with perienced several clubs undergo major stadium The Canadian Business Journal. “This is for the renovations and new stadium projects, from the next generation and the generation after that.” SEPTEMBER 2012 • The Canadian Business Journal 5

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Back to the Nation’s Capital Jeff Hunt, owner of the Ontario Hockey The CFL has a history in Ottawa. The Ottawa League’s Ottawa 67’s, is a recognized communi- Rough Riders called the Canadian capital home ty leader who has led the CFL’s return to Ottawa. for more than a decade until 1996. From 2002 It’s anticipated that the new franchise will play at to 2005, the Ottawa Renegades were the second the Frank Clair Stadium of fol- coming of football in the city. The third time is the lowing a redevelopment project valued at about charm with the hope that a new team will return $500 million. as soon as possible. “I’m confident that it’s a recipe for success,” Toronto Hosts the Grey Cup Cohon commented on the return to Ottawa. This November, the City of Toronto and the Rog- “Primarily it starts with ownership. When we said ers Centre will host the Grey Cup. Significant we wanted to get back to the nation’s capital, we to this national and iconic event is that it is the said we had to have local business and commu- 100th Grey Cup. Toronto was also the host city of nity leaders who get behind this project.” the inaugural Grey Cup. Proven popular, tickets SEPTEMBER 2012 • The Canadian Business Journal 7

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to this year’s game were sold out six months in In terms of television ratings, sports viewer- advance. ship of the CFL ranks second in Canada, behind “From an economics standpoint, it’s great only ratings. On average, for Toronto and for the province. We believe this more than 700,000 viewers tune in to each CFL year’s Grey Cup will generate between $100 game, representing a five per cent increase this million and $120 million in economic activity year, and a jump of over 50 per cent among male for the city and the region,” Cohon said. “Being viewers aged 18 to 34. the 100th Grey Cup, it’s also a great opportunity for the league in terms of adding new sponsors, Grassroots Initiatives improving our licensing business, driving sales Often competing for fans eyes and dollars with of season tickets, and helping with our ratings, the American-based National Football League which is exciting.” (NFL), the CFL has committed to two avenues SEPTEMBER 2012 • The Canadian Business Journal 9

in attracting new players and fans to Canadian augmented that with a lot of social media initia- football. At the high-end level, the CFL works tives. I think that’s why you’re seeing our growing alongside TSN, its official broadcaster and major success.” media partner, to draw greater interest in the This dual approach with large corporate part- game. The results are evident – since partnering ners and success at the grassroots level is some- with TSN in 2007, CFL viewership has more than thing that the CFL looks to continue in the future. doubled, while the league believes opportunities “We’re really exciting with the progress we remain for further audience growth as well. have made over the last five to six years. As we “What we’re finding is that if you’re a football move from city to city, building upon the suc- fan, there is a lot of crossover. We believe that cesses that we have had, all of this will help us 50 to 60 per cent of our fans are also fans of the in attracting the next generation of fans,” Cohon NFL,” Cohon detailed. “The way the majority of concluded. “Over the next few years, our big proj- football fans watch and follow the game has to ects involve a renewal of our TV agreement, the do with television.” renegotiation of a strong Collective Bargaining Additionally, at the grassroots level, the CFL Agreement, the opening of brand new stadiums, and its member clubs invest in minor football and continued sold out national Grey Cup cham- programs, focusing on the importance of young pionships.” CB players involved in the game. The CFL believes these initiatives ultimately create a sense of www.cfl.ca community and build a younger audience for Ca- nadian football. Playing an active role in its com- munities, the CFL and its players are also noted for players in public appearances, with teams averaging 700 player appearances each season. “Our players are in the community talking to kids about football, about anti-bullying programs, and what it means to stay in school,” Cohon explained. “These initiatives help build the com- munities around our football clubs. We have then GEORGE MEDIA NETWORK

AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 ISSUE OF THE CANADIAN BUSINESS JOURNAL

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