Skip to content

CFL confirms discussions about Halifax expansion

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The CFL confirmed Thursday it has had discussions about possible expansion into Halifax.

"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 statement read. "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 group of businessmen are interested in the franchise, with one being former Arizona Coyotes president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc, Dave Naylor of TSN reports.

The group had discussions this week with CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie and Halifax city council, according to Naylor.

"We have had discussions with the CFL’s board of governors and ongoing discussions with commissioner Ambrosie," LeBlanc said. "The conversations have all been very productive. Chief among all we have discussed, we have a clear understanding of the CFL’s requirements for an expansion franchise, and this clarity is allowing us to move our project forward in a thoughtful way."

There is no timetable for the expansion and the league sits at nine teams, with four in the East and five in the West.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox