12/21/24
June 16, 2009
David Braley, the Toronto Argonauts, and the good old CFL: The Toronto Argonauts open their pre-season Wednesday night against the Montreal Alouettes. No word yet, however, whether David Braley will call the offensive plays, or stick to directing the defence. Braley, of course, is the owner the British Columbia Lions, as well as the Canadian Football League’s longtime power broken, kingmaker, and so forth. Braley is a rich man, one of, if not the, richest owner in the CFL, and he enjoys the power that wealth affords in an eight-team league. And so it is only partly shocking to learn that Braley has been helping the Toronto Argonauts financially since the tandem of David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski bought the team out of bankruptcy in 2003. According to a published report, Braley loaned the pair half of the $2-million purchase price, loaned the club enough money to cover half its operating losses since then, and was repaid with half the profits from the 2007 Grey Cup in Toronto.
posted by tommytrump to football at 10:03 PM - 4 comments
Frankly, I think Balsillie should sink some dough into this great Canadian league. Expansion to the Maritimes would be a good start. Or float an Ottawa franchise and do it reputably. Quebec City? Okanagan? Man, there are a lot of football hotbeds in this country too.
Judging from the article, if Toronto can't keep a team running a profit, what hope do any of those places have?
posted by dfleming at 08:16 AM on June 17, 2009
Spitz, I sure hope DJE is firing up the Pick 'Em Pool computer.
posted by tommybiden at 09:15 AM on June 17, 2009
She's booting up as we speak! Look for a post in the Locker Room next week.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:05 AM on June 17, 2009
Speaking of the CFL, tommytrump ... any idea if DJE is gonna run the Pick 'Em pool again? The only thing I look forward to more than the CFL season itself is the SpoFi CFL Pick 'Em Pool!
Frankly, I think Balsillie should sink some dough into this great Canadian league. Expansion to the Maritimes would be a good start. Or float an Ottawa franchise and do it reputably. Quebec City? Okanagan? Man, there are a lot of football hotbeds in this country too.
Sorry, had to go on a bit there ... but maybe Braley wouldn't mind throwin' in some cake for the winner of the SpoFi CFL Pick 'Em ... or pay DJE for his outstanding past (and hopefully future) service.