THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300525
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: TORONTO LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Memphis and Birmingham apparently will withdraw from the Canadian Football League, sources within the CFL said Wednesday.
The CFL's board of governors kicked off three days of meetings Wednesday night by reportedly being informed that both franchises almost certainly will fold. The Toronto Sun reported in today's editions that Birmingham might be sold and move to Montreal.
The defections would leave the CFL with only three American franchises - the Pirates, who have moved to Hampton Roads from Shreveport; Baltimore, which will probably move because of the impending arrival of the NFL's Cleveland Browns; and San Antonio, the only U.S. team which has committed to remain in its current location.
In the three years since the CFL expanded to the United States, three of six U.S. franchises have folded and two have moved.
Pirates owner Bernie Glieberman said prior to the meetings that he is committed to playing in Norfolk regardless of the fate of the other American franchises. He was not available following Wednesday's session, but Pirates president Lonie Glieberman, Bernie Glieberman's son, said:``It will not affect our plans. Regardless of what happens, we're looking forward to playing the 1996 season.''
CFL chairman John H. Tory and commissioner Larry Smith emerged smiling during a break in the meetings but declined comment on the Memphis and Birmingham franchises, which were not represented at the meeting.
Earlier Wednesday, CFL officials told reporters they were optimistic about the Pirates moving to Hampton Roads, but skeptical about them playing at Foreman Field, which is 30 yards shorter than a standard league field.
Saskatchewan president John Lipp professed delight with the Pirates move to Hampton Roads until told of Foreman Field's dimension. ``I'll have to wait and see on that one. I'm a little nervous about that,'' he said.
Winnipeg president Reginald Low frowned when told of the stadium's dimensions. ``Our field is 110 yards. Not all fields in our league are the same dimension. Does it have 20-yard end zones?'' When told no, he frowned again and said nothing.
Bob Nicholson, president of the Toronto Argonauts, was also disappointed to hear about the stadium's dimensions.
``But we've been very impressed by the interest, and the media coverage, in Norfolk that we've heard about,'' he added. ``I don't know much about that area, but I'm hoping over the next few days to hear details about your city and the game plan to make the CFL a success there.''
The move to Hampton Roads must be approved by two-thirds of the governors and the vote could come as early as today. Asked to hazard a guess on how the relocation vote will go, he said: ``I have no idea. But I have no reason to believe it won't be supported.''
Bernie Glieberman said he's confident the vote will be affirmative because of the Hampton Roads market is perfect for the CFL.
``When we began expansion into the United States, what we originally thought to be good markets turned out not to be,'' he said. ``We thought we could go anywhere the NFL wasn't and that it would work. What we've discovered is that in markets with major college football programs, it hasn't worked.
``We have to look at markets that fit, and we have have to adjust our sights on some stadiums, at least on a temporary basis. When you start looking at why the CFL hasn't worked in the United States, Norfolk solves all of those problems. It doesn't have a professional football team near it, it doesn't have a real strong college presence.''
Bernie Glieberman said this week's docket is full of ``serious'' issues which could delay the vote. Among them are demands by the American teams for more attention to their needs, especially their television needs.
``The American teams simply can't live with what's on the table.,'' he said, adding that the five teams split $500,000 to $600,000 in TV revenue this season from ESPN.
``We need a satellite office (in the United States) that promotes the league, that takes a more active role in trying to get our game on television in the United States.
``Most of our markets didn't get the Grey Cup game (on TV). I told Larry Smith that was unacceptable, that you can't have that.'' by CNB