When the bubbly fiz evaporates out of the Grey Cup champions’ dressing room Sunday evening and the party continues somewhere in Hamilton, the Canadian Football League season, for fans, is over.
But for football clubs the planning and work for the 2024 season starts next week.
The Edmonton Elks: while things have been stabilized on the field as well as in management offices, there are some questions which need to be asked.
There was some chatter from CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie during his Grey Cup week state-of-the-league address about a topic which seems to be progressively getting more mentions in recent conversations — private ownership.
I just have to decide one thing.
Do I pay with my chequing, or savings, account?
Sorry, boss: couldn’t resist.
Seriously now, the notion of the Elks being community-owned … well, it doesn’t get any more leave-the-doors-unlocked-all-night than that.
It’s folksy. Laid back. Feels great.
Images of the Elks board of directors having meetings at Dutchesss Bake Shop rather than at a five-star hotel with complimentary rounds of golf showcases the culture of the football club.
It works, this community ownership thing.
A great example is just a province over to the east.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders, one CFL executive once told me, “have all the money. They’re the richest team in the league.”
The thought of having a volunteer board of directors is also appealing: well-experienced businessmen with decades of experience sharing time to govern a professional sports franchise is commendable.
But times change.
In our ultra-busy society, with beeps, vibrations, bells and other auditory alarms begging for our immediate attention, schedules become packed. Jam packed.
The CBC, just this year, reported 65 per cent of Canadian charities are seeing a significant decrease in volunteer numbers.
I am, in no way, suggesting the Elks board of directors are not pulling their weight.
Not at all.
Nor am I suggesting they should be replaced by a private owner.
On the contrary. In fact, I find it remarkable they provided needed leadership in the summer when the club relieved Victor Cui of his CEO and president duties.
But let’s say the Elks’ issues continue.
It takes someone with a hands-on approach — specifically in the office — to fully understand what is going on, and then to take action.
The Elks board of directors are extremely busy people. Finding someone who can drop everything to put out a three-alarm fire can’t be easy.
Granted, an owner who is hands-on seldom produces a well-crafted piece of art.
It makes for interesting halftime discussion around the chip dip bowl and the fridge.
The topic of private ownership and its possibilities goes away — and, in a hurry — if the Elks have success in the 2024 season.
That will convincingly prove the Edmonton Elks board of directors are doing fine, thank you very much.
If it isn’t broken …
And how about Cam’s Call or Tait’s Tabulation for Sunday’s big game?
Montreal 32, Winnipeg 37.
The checking or savings account reference?
With that prediction I won’t be going near either of them.
camtait58@gmail.com
TAIT: Talk of private ownership will wane if Elks have success in 2024
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20.11.2023
When the bubbly fiz evaporates out of the Grey Cup champions’ dressing room Sunday evening and the party continues somewhere in Hamilton, the Canadian Football League season, for fans, is over.
But for football clubs the planning and work for the 2024 season starts next week.
The Edmonton Elks: while things have been stabilized on the field as well as in management offices, there are some questions which need to be asked.
There was some chatter from CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie during his Grey Cup week state-of-the-league address about a topic which seems to be progressively getting more mentions in recent conversations — private ownership.
I just have to decide one thing.
Do I pay with my chequing, or savings, account?
Sorry, boss: couldn’t resist.
Seriously now, the notion of the........
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