THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512020732
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: TORONTO LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
The Canadian Football League's board of governors pronounced themselves satisfied with the Hampton Roads market on Friday after their first full briefing on the Pirates plans to move from Shreveport to Norfolk.
But they say they remain concerned about Foreman Field's dimensions and tardiness on the part of Pirates officials to formally apply for relocation.
Commissioner Larry Smith will fly to Norfolk Monday to meet with city and area officials and inspect the stadium. He will report back to league members during a conference call next Friday.
``I have a pretty good feeling for the market now,'' said John Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. ``But I do have some concerns about the field. We're anxious to hear what the commissioner has to say. The length (30 yards shorter than a standard CFL field) is the major concern.''
Another concern has been the Pirates apparent failure to file formal application to relocate.
``They haven't filed to relocate, and we're frankly disappointed that they haven't,'' league chairman John Tory said at a press conference following the third and final day of board meetings.'
``They have said they will file in December and we're anxious for them to do so.''
Pirates president Lonie Glieberman, who made the presentation on Hampton Roads to the board, said the team has completed the paperwork, but had planned to present it to Smith in Norfolk. Included is a copy of the team's business plan, something Tory said the other owners would like to have seen this weekend.
``We will get that information to them as quickly as possible,'' Glieberman said. ``Mainly, though, I think they want to see the commissioner's report after he comes to Norfolk.
``I think after he sees the facility he will be pleasantly surprised. It's old, but it's a good stadium. The neighborhood is fine. The seats are fine. The stadium is better than its reputation. Basically, with the work we plan to have done on the press box and locker rooms, it will be ready to go.''
Meanwhile, the league continued with its cost-cutting moves. CFL officials have apparently decided to trim the league rosters from 37 players to 34, a decision they refused to confirm largely because it must be ratified by the CFL players union. On Thursday the board voted to cut front-office costs and to reduce the salary cap from $2.5 million (Canadian) to $2.3 million.
Smith said six CFL employees have been laid off to reach the goal of cutting 25 percent of league office costs.
Smith also announced the board agreed to end practices, such as providing players with cars or condominiums, that circumvent the salary cap.
All told, the cuts will reduce a typical CFL budget from $6-to-$7 million to $5 million or less.
All but a handful of CFL teams lost money, including a combined $10 million this past season by Memphis and Birmingham. Memphis has folded and Birmingham is up for sale, but is also expected to fold.
``The only alternative (to the cuts) was that we could not continue to operate,'' Tory said. ``We have many owners here that love the game, but that love, and their pocket books, only go so far.''
The board apparently has decided to reduce the quota of Canadians on the eight Canadian teams from 20. It is uncertain how much that will be reduced.
The board will meet again in early January at a time and date to be announced to consider the Pirates application and the fate of the other two American franchises. San Antonio has announced it will remain in the league, but might reconsider if a season-ticket sale falls short of 12,000 and if it doesn't receive a better lease for the Alamo Dome.
Baltimore is expected to move to College Park, Md., Houston or Richmond because of the impending relocation of the NFL's Cleveland Browns to Baltimore.
``All of these decisions will be made by the first week of January,'' Tory said. ``We will not extend any deadlines. They must be ready to go then.
``However, having said that, our three American partners have all indicated they will play in the CFL next season. They're enthusiastic about the Canadian game and feel they will have all the answers we need by our deadline.'' by CNB