Wray Morrison: What’s in it for us?

I don’t fully understand CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie’s international vision for the league.

Ambrosie has signed at least nine agreements with overseas football federations (Mexico, Italy, Austria, Denmark etc…). Player development and an exchange of coaching expertise appear to be part of these agreements.

Ambrosie is hoping that Canadian-born players who aren’t quite ready for the CFL can play overseas after university. Perhaps these leagues can provide players to the CFL in the future. Ambrosie is also giving more international-born players a chance to play in the league by creating roster spots.

Ambrosie said something interesting on the weekend. He said Canada isn’t the smallest of two countries that has American-style football. It’s the second-largest of many. That is a brilliant statement.

Ambrosie wants the CFL to be better known across the globe, which may lead to more talent, more exposure, and perhaps even more money for the  league. Every pro sports league has global exposure; why not the CFL? Just because I don’t fully get the benefits doesn’t mean it’s not a good thing.