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SPORTS SCOPE: CFL expansion risk worth taking, if done right

The idea of expanding the CFL has been around for years—most notably the push for a 10th team in Atlantic Canada. While nothing’s materialized yet, it’s time the league got serious.
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Photo: CFL PHOTO / Dave Chidley

The idea of expanding the CFL has been around for years—most notably the push for a 10th team in Atlantic Canada. While nothing’s materialized yet, it’s time the league got serious. A well-executed expansion could breathe new life into the CFL, but it must be smart, sustainable, and rooted in community.

Adding a team in Halifax or Quebec City wouldn’t just balance the schedule—it would boost national interest, create new rivalries, and give football fans in underserved regions something to rally around. The league’s success has never depended on big cities; it's thrived in places like Regina and Winnipeg where community and provincial support is everything.

Still, expansion comes with challenges: stadium funding, ownership stability, and maintaining the quality of play. The CFL can’t afford to rush into it or treat it like a publicity move. What it needs is long-term planning and real investment in the grassroots level of the game.

The CFL doesn’t need to expand tomorrow—but standing still isn't an option. If it wants to grow its fanbase and stay relevant, it has to take bold steps forward. The key? Do it right, or don’t do it at all.