Ramblings' Journal

More football? That's a good thing.

"Hi, my name is Michael, and I'm a football addict."

"Hi, Michael..."

The National Football League and the Canadian Football League announced an extension of their joint working arrangement started in 1997. The extension ties the two leagues at the hip through at least 2006.

"The Canadian Football League is in a new and stronger position," CFL commissioner Tom Wright said in a statement. "We look forward to the continued development of our game in Canada with recent solid results as our foundation."

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue agreed.

"We support the CFL and its unique role in Canada, and share its goal of strengthening the interest and support of football among Canadians," he said in a statement. "As partners we have worked successfully to strengthen the sport of football in Canada, and the NFL looks forward to working with the CFL to build on these programs."

The NFL will still be able to sign CFL players in their 'option year' as in the past. In addition, players coming from the CFL will not be eligible to play on NFL Europe teams, also as in the past.

The CFL will benefit from increased exposure in the US, with live games running on a non-exclusive basis on the NFL Network. CFL games already run on NESN, MSG, Empire and Fox Sports New York.

Posted by mhking at July 7, 2004 09:36 AM