THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512150621
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The Canadian Football League's American experiment, which just two weeks ago was floundering, could be headed back toward solid ground. As a result, comissioner Larry Smith says there should be at least four and possibly as many as six American CFL teams next season.
The Toronto Globe & Mail reports that groups from Milwaukee, Birmingham, Shreveport (La.), Miami, Los Angeles, Portland (Ore.), Houston and Jackson, Miss., have called Smith seeking franchises.
``Our real objective is to make sure we have at least four American teams and perhaps five,'' Smith told the Toronto newspaper. ``But there is a possibility, if we work quickly and efficiently, we could have as many as six.''
That contrasts to the gloomy mood at league meetings late last month in Toronto, during which two of the five American franchises folded. When asked what he thought of the meetings, San Antonio owner Fred Anderson said: ``That's like asking Mrs. Kennedy what she thought of the parade.''
However, since those meetings Smith said he had been flooded with calls from potential American investors and could put together a 10-team U.S. division if he wished. He said he wants to make sure he has five or six strong American teams before expanding further.
``It's unbelievable,'' CFL chairman John Tory said. ``After all the difficulties we've encountered with our American franchises, and after the especially rough year we had in the States in 1995, you would think the level of interest in new American franchises would be low or non-existent. Yet it's very surprising to be discovering the opposite is true.''
Two of three remaining U.S. teams likely are moving, including the Shreveport Pirates, to Hampton Roads. Baltimore may move because of the expected arrival of an NFL franchise. Birmingham and Memphis folded. Only San Antonio is definitely staying put.
Other potential moves:
Smith said a group in Shreveport that includes some investors who worked for the Pirates last season is attempting to purchase the Memphis franchise and move it to Louisiana. The Mad Dogs, including all players, coaches and equipment, are owned by the league. The asking price is about $1.5 million.
A group in Birmingham, whom CFL officials won't name, wants to purchase the Birmingham Barracudas. The sticking point is the contracts of quarterback Matt Dunigan, who is being paid about $800,000 per year, and head coach Jack Pardee, whose contract calls for nearly $400,000. Birmingham lost nearly $10 million last season, partly because its salaries exceeded league guidelines.
The Las Vegas Posse, which folded after the 1994 season, might be revived and relocated in Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Portland, Houston or Miami, though CFL officials say privately that this is a long shot.
Baltimore, the Grey Cup champion, is looking at Houston, College Park, Md., and Richmond. Owner Jim Speros has told Richmond officials that he will sign a 10-year lease if the city adds 8,000 seats to the 22,611-seat University of Richmond Stadium and provides him with a new practice facility.
Richmond officials told the Richmond Times-Dispatch they have been in touch with officials in neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield counties about sharing the costs of upgrading the stadium.
The Stallions, meanwhile, are in the midst of a season-ticket drive in Baltimore. If they sell 20,000, Speros said he won't move in spite of the NFL.
Pirates president Lonie Glieberman lost nearly $7 million in two seasons in Shreveport and has said the Louisiana city is too small for the CFL. Nonetheless, he said Thursday he hopes the Mad Dogs move to Shreveport.
``Even though the attendance wasn't what it needed to be, there's a lot of interest in the CFL in Shreveport,'' Glieberman said. ``We wish them well.''
Shreveport's City Council is expected to demand payment of $1 million from the Pirates at a meeting today.
The city provided the Pirates with the money last season under a contract that called for the city to help subsidize the team if it lost money. The team lost more than $3 million, and the city responded with a $1 million payment, the maximum allowed under the contract.
City officials say team owner Bernie Gliberman, Lonie Glieberman's father, guaranteed he would repay the $1 million if the team moved from Shreveport. Bernie Glieberman could not be reached for comment. Lonie Glieberman declined comment Thursday. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Commissioner Larry Smith expects up to 6 U.S. teams in the CFL in
'96.
by CNB