The CFL community is reeling from the bombshell that Mark Cohon will not be looking to add a third term as the CFL commissioner. Fans and players alike have reacted with disappointment and a sincere thank you as Cohon’s term is set to expire in 2015.
Since Cohon came into the league in 2006 he has done everything anyone could ask for as the commissioner of any league. He is cheered by fans – not the same welcome, say, Gary Bettman gets in the NHL. He has laid brand new pavement for this league’s future and provided stability and security.
Cohon’s various successes behind the curtains include:
- A new television deal with TSN worth 40 million dollars of 5 years.
- A deal with ESPN, who will broadcast CFL games on their network channel ESPN 3.
- Expansion in Ottawa, which already seems to be very successful.
- Security for the league with the CFL Players Association, grinding out a CBA that is valid until 2018 and will ensure no work stoppages by the players.
- Being part of the new stadiums in key markets such as Tim Hortons Field Hamilton this year (and day now), and a new home for the Roughriders in Regina in 2017, and the state-of-the-art Investors Group Field in Winnipeg completed in his tenure.
- Establishing fan friendly events such as the “Grey Cup train”, which truly set the CFL apart from any league, bringing a hall of fame type museum to the fans instead of waiting for them to come to it.
Cohon’s many successes are well known and much appreciated by anyone connected with the CFL.
He will also be instrumental on seeking a replacement. Who should it be and why?
Maybe this league doesn’t need your stereotypical commissioner, your usual politically correct and business-savvy man in a suit. Maybe the person the CFL needs as commissioner is Michael “Pinball” Clemons.
With all the ground work done for financial stability for the foreseeable future, and victories around the league to ensure both business stability and increased revenue, the top priority should be to fix the situation in Toronto. Who else would the guy be to help with that than Pinball? He’s a great ambassador for the league, and a well respected individual around the league and – more importantly – in Toronto, where the problem is.
Pinball is one the league’s all time greats. He also had success on the sidelines as the Argos’ head coach, as well as in the back office as president of Argos operations. He does a lot of community work in Toronto and is a great speaker. To put it simply, when he talks, people listen.
He has a drive and serious passion for the CFL like no other and has worked literally from the bottom up. The top priority is to get the Argos out of Rogers Centre and into a fan-friendly, visually pleasing environment such as BMO.
Before you grunt and scoff at this idea, yes he was a player, yes he has ties to the Argos – the bigger picture is that Pinball Clemons loves this game with a fiery passion and that is what this league needs most of all. Someone has to take over and fill the massive footprints left by Cohon. Who can do that better than a man with a heart even bigger than those footprints?
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