CFL: Will TouchDown Atlantic Touch Down Into a Permanent CFL Franchise?

Though it hasn't been officially announced yet, the CFL will follow up last year's successful "TouchDown Atlantic" game in Moncton with another  "TouchDown" game this year on September 25.

Last year, the Toronto Argonauts hosted the Edmonton Eskimos, and this year, the Hamilton Tiger Cats will host the Calgary Stampeders.

There is every reason to believe that this year's game will be as successful as last year's game.

In 2010, the game sold out within hours between one team that was expected to be last, and another team that was not expected to be much better.

This year, the CFL has been more generous; both Hamilton and Calgary are expected to be strong contenders for the Grey Cup, so ticket sales are expected to go just as quickly.

The game will be moved up from one to two o'clock.

It is a smart move by the CFL to consolidate the gains it made last year.  It is also a feather in small Moncton's cap which is trying to establish itself as THE Maritime City in Canada.

Hamilton, particularly owner Bob Young, has additional reasons to be happy to play one of its home games in Moncton.

It was rumored that Moncton was one of the cities, Young was considering moving the Tiger Cats to, should a new or improved stadium deal in Hamilton not be completed.

And if current home, Ivor Wynne Stadium is to be renovated, Moncton could serve as the Tiger Cats' home base until the renovations are complete.

Right now, a better could make a fairly safe wager that "TouchDown Atlantic" in Moncton will become an annual event.  The question is, can it be taken further?

There are three possible paths for the CFL to pursue:

1.  Play more than one game a year in Moncton.

2.  Play another regular season game in another city as well.

3.  Get a permanent franchise in Moncton.

Option 3, is the big prize for the CFL.  With Ottawa set to return to the CFL, Moncton would give the CFL its longed for 10th franchise and balance up the league as a ten team circuit.

It would also send a message, even more than the current stadium developments, the sold-out Grey Cup games, and the return of Ottawa, that the CFL is making "progress".

But option 3, while the best result, is not the next likely one.

The safest next step will be to play more than one game a year in Moncton.  That would be useful, certainly for potential CFL investors, to see if small Moncton could possibly support a full schedule of CFL games.

Certainly for those who want to make the New Brunswick city, THE eastern city, this would be a welcomed experiment, and if tickets to this year's game sell just as quickly as last year, it is an avenue worth pursuing.

And if tickets sell out quickly for TouchDown Atlantic II, why not try option 2 next year, as well?

Currently, there are four other Canadian cities to experiment with; Quebec, London, Kitchener, and Halifax.

The first three cities also have strong, local university football programs in Laval, Western, and Laurier.

Quebec is probably the best choice because it is the largest Canadian city without a CFL franchise and it has also successfully hosted the Vanier Cup.

Like Moncton, Quebec is in an ambitious mood.

They successfully staged their 400th  anniversary celebrations in 2008 and now want further laurels.  The problem for the CFL is that they are focused on hockey.

The city just announced it will be building a $400 million arena to revive the Quebec Nordiques in the NHL.  But even with a new arena, the prospect is precarious, given the perceived NHL's "anti-Canadian" policy towards expansion or relocation.

But if a new CFL-size stadium were built, and a proper investor found, the CFL would rush in with open arms.

And they would do so if an owner could be found for a new Moncton franchise.  A quickly sold out Touchdown Atlantic II will make another good impression.

Nobody knows if there are any behind-the-scenes negotiations to make a permanent Moncton franchise a reality.  It would be great news for the CFL if the game sells out quickly and an investor takes notice.

So far, the CFL is playing its cards smart on this issue.  Will a potential owner take the bait?