REGINA’S DRUMMOND IN ON CFL EXPANSION TEAM IN HALIFAX

Anthony Leblanc (left) and Gary Drummond appear on CKRM’s Sportscage

TORONTO – The CFL said Thursday it has had talks with a group looking to secure an expansion franchise for Halifax.

TSN reported Thursday the group made a presentation to the league’s board of governors several weeks ago in Toronto.

The report also identified Anthony LeBlanc, a former president and CEO of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, as a partner in the group.

Also included in the ownership group is Regina businessman Gary Drummond, the former President of Hockey Operations with the Coyotes.

“We can confirm the CFL has had discussions with a group interested in securing a Canadian Football League franchise for the city of Halifax,” the league said in a statement. “While this group has been professional, enthusiastic and impressive, these conversations are relatively new and a very thorough process of due diligence must be put in place and completed before we can fully assess the viability of the project.

“We want to publicly thank this group for its passion for the CFL and we thank the members of the media for their interest.”

A league official said a timetable for potentially awarding a franchise has not been established as of yet. One of the challenges for Halifax is that the city does not currently have a stadium that would be suitable for a CFL team.

A franchise in the Maritimes would certainly be a positive development for the CFL. Not only would it give the league a coast-to-coast reach but it would also allow it to form two five-team divisions.

The CFL awarded a conditional franchise to Halifax in 1982 – it was named the Atlantic Schooners – but financing for a stadium never came about. The league played regular-season games in Moncton, N.B., in 2010, 2011 and ’13.

(Canadian Press)