THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511290557
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
The Canadian Football League's board of governors begins three days of meetings tonight in Toronto that may more clearly define the CFL's future in Hampton Roads and elsewhere.
The Pirates, who moved to Hampton Roads from Shreveport, hope the board will approve their relocation. A two-thirds majority is necessary, though a vote won't necessarily come this week.
``It will be discussed and there's a chance it will be approved provisionally,'' Pirates president Lonie Glieberman said.
``But it might not come up for a vote. A lot depends on how long it takes to deal with other items on the agenda. Because this isn't a pressing issue, it might be put off until the meetings in Edmonton'' on Jan. 20.
Glieberman hopes the CFL will approve the transfer conditional upon the Pirates: 1) Signing a lease for the use of Foreman Field with Old Dominion University, which owns the stadium. 2) Gaining approval from the city of Norfolk to fund a $400,000 renovation to the stadium.
CFL officials generally have been positive in their appraisal of Hampton Roads, the nation's largest metropolitan area without a major sports franchise. However, Foreman Field might be a sticking point. It is smaller in
seating (25,600) than most league stadiums and its turf is 30 yards shorter than a standard CFL field.
CFL commissioner Larry Smith will tour Foreman Field and meet with area officials Monday. It will be his first trip to Hampton Roads.
While the Pirates enter the meetings focused on their relocation, the rest of the CFL is more concerned with solving a series of controversial problems, most of them associated with its five American teams.
The American teams have demanded a higher television profile in the U.S., and have threatened to secede and form their own league if this problem isn't addressed. The threat apparently has gotten the attention of the eight Canadian members, who promised at the recent Grey Cup game in Regina, Saskatchewan, to work harder on the U.S. TV problem.
Smith said he wants commitments from the U.S. teams as to whether they'll play next season. Only San Antonio has committed to play in its current location. The Pirates have moved and Memphis might move or shut down because of poor attendance and the impending two-year move to the Liberty Bowl of the Houston Oilers, who plan to move to Nashville in 1998. Birmingham will either move to Florida - probably Orlando - or cease operations. Baltimore may be forced to move because of the impending move to that city of the Cleveland Browns.
Some of the smaller market teams are pushing for a reduction in the salary cap from $1.9 million (U.S. dollars). They're also proposing an end to the marquee player rule, in which each team is allowed to pay one player a large salary in addition to the salary cap. The Pirates oppose both changes.
Most U.S. teams - the Pirates are an exception - are seeking to change the name of the CFL. The Can-Am and North American leagues have been two suggestions, though the Continental Football League seems most acceptable to Canadian teams. Those teams say there will be no name change unless there is a written pledge from U.S. teams to remain in the CFL.
Some U.S. teams - again, the Pirates are not among them - are seeking rules changes that would ``Americanize'' the game. They want to use 11 players instead of 12, have four downs instead of three and reduce the size of the field, which is longer and wider than fields in American football. However, the bottom line, according to influential CFL chairman John Tory, is that there is ``no chance'' rules changes will be made.
Finally, rumors persist that Smith might resign. Smith, a star for the erstwhile Montreal Aloutettes, won't deny that he's contemplating a bid to put an expansion franchise in Montreal in 1997. But he denies that he's stepping down as commissioner anytime soon.
The owners will meet over dinner tonight for two hours, but will save most of the hard bargaining for Thursday, when they will meet at least eight hours. Another eight-hour session is scheduled for Friday. ILLUSTRATION: RELOCATING PENDING
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB