3DN Article on Low Commissioner Compensation

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/16/if-cfl-wants-real-difference-maker-as-commissioner-compensation-needs-to-be-raised-commensurate-with-leagues-business/

"Outgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie earned around $750,000 annually, with bonuses giving him the chance to boost his compensation to approximately $1 million, per sources." 


"According to sources, the CFL's estimated revenues are between $200 and $300 million.Ambrosie's earnings represent much less than one percent of the three down league's business. High-end executives point out that's not commensurate compensation compared to other public or private companies. If the board of governors want an innovative leader, the minimum starting point could be $2 million."

One million seems more than decent compensation for the commissioner job, in lieu of the salary restrictions CFL coaches and players are forced to live within, I don't think an increase is justified.

[TBURGESS]

They really think that the $750K - $1 Mil salary is the problem?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They really think that the $750K - $1 Mil salary is the problem?

Don't know if this is an actual issue or if 3DN is beating the weeds to create stories.

[theaardvark]

Wow.

Commish, if it is a full time gig, should be well compensated, for sure.

Do we need a full time commish?  Or should we have someone guiding the league who is already rich and doesn't need $2mil a year, and a staff of administrators to take care of the details at a fraction of that cost.

[TecnoGenius]

Uh, if you would have asked me before reading this I'd probably guess the commish gets $400-$500k.  That's like what a decent GM or top HC would get.

Commish is basically a figurehead -- a handshaking, tongue-wagging, meet&greeting, baby-kissing, draft-announcing position.  I guess there's also the deal-making (TV negotiating) side, but there's so little of that each year as most deals are multi-year.

And when they do more than just the above, it tends to be bad for the league.  (Think the whole global player idea.)

This is the CFL, not the NFL/NHL/MLB.  The league is always crying poor and always on the verge of bankruptcy (according to the doomsayers).

$750k seems more than adequate to me.  I'm sure there's a zillion people in Canada who would love to have that cush job.  If no one else wants it, I'll take it!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Uh, if you would have asked me before reading this I'd probably guess the commish gets $400-$500k.  That's like what a decent GM or top HC would get.

Commish is basically a figurehead -- a handshaking, tongue-wagging, meet&greeting, baby-kissing, draft-announcing position.  I guess there's also the deal-making (TV negotiating) side, but there's so little of that each year as most deals are multi-year.

And when they do more than just the above, it tends to be bad for the league.  (Think the whole global player idea.)

This is the CFL, not the NFL/NHL/MLB.  The league is always crying poor and always on the verge of bankruptcy (according to the doomsayers).

$750k seems more than adequate to me.  I'm sure there's a zillion people in Canada who would love to have that cush job.  If no one else wants it, I'll take it!

Glen Suitor has already thrown his hat in the ring and he'll work for cheap!

[Waffler]

Glen Suitor has already thrown his hat in the ring and he'll work for cheap!

Think of the crowdfunding money this would save the greenie fans.

[TecnoGenius]

Wasn't it the board that wanted Ambrosie out?  And now they complain they can't find anyone to replace him because $750k is too poor?

Then just let Ambrosie keep going as "interim commish" indefinitely.  Why not.  I think Ambrosie has already "given us his worst" and can't screw things up any further.  I'd be totally fine with that, and it will save the CFL having to pay some other clown $1.5M to come in with new screw-ups.

In the big scheme of things, Ambrosie wasn't too awful.  He seems genuinely cordial, amiable, and affable.  I'll miss the slightly dorky smiles when he gets half-booed when announced at GCs.  He doesn't take himself too seriously.  And we didn't go broke under him, so there's that.

[theaardvark]

I don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.

Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job?  He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.

Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good.  Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.

What about Buono?  Or Huffnagel finally letting go. 

An ex player?  John Ryan?  Adam Bighill?  Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?

There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.

Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job?  He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.

Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good.  Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.

What about Buono?  Or Huffnagel finally letting go. 

An ex player?  John Ryan?  Adam Bighill?  Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?

There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.

What? The job is first and foremost growing revenue for the league, its teams and owners, and maximizing profits. Football, when you're the commissioner/CEO, is a product. You don't need a football guy. You need someone capable of growing an entertainment business. Put into a context you have a better chance at understanding: a dog lover doesn't automatically make someone qualified to run a pet supply business, does it?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Wasn't it the board that wanted Ambrosie out?  And now they complain they can't find anyone to replace him because $750k is too poor?

Then just let Ambrosie keep going as "interim commish" indefinitely.  Why not.  I think Ambrosie has already "given us his worst" and can't screw things up any further.  I'd be totally fine with that, and it will save the CFL having to pay some other clown $1.5M to come in with new screw-ups.

In the big scheme of things, Ambrosie wasn't too awful.  He seems genuinely cordial, amiable, and affable.  I'll miss the slightly dorky smiles when he gets half-booed when announced at GCs.  He doesn't take himself too seriously.  And we didn't go broke under him, so there's that.

Disagree Ambrosie did a poor job, he was the face of the league and performed his duties with enthusiasm and had a real love for the game. Not every initiative was a success but it looks like the CFL increased revenue during his tenure, so bully for him.

He's just another victim of the modern trend to berate and criticize anyone that steps up and performs in a public position. Soon enough we won't be able to find anyone brave enough to take on the hassle of becoming a political representative, unfortunately the neanderthals from the back of the classroom are winning.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.

Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job?  He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.

Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good.  Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.

What about Buono?  Or Huffnagel finally letting go. 

An ex player?  John Ryan?  Adam Bighill?  Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?

There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.

LOL Milt for commissioner!

[Jesse]

I don't think any of the talking heads at TSN make near $750k, and almost any would be an OK commish.

Why is there no talk about Lapo in the job?  He knows the game inside out, have to wonder what his management style is like.

Barker, a little too erratic, but might be good.  Argos can't afford to lose Pinball.

What about Buono?  Or Huffnagel finally letting go. 

An ex player?  John Ryan?  Adam Bighill?  Jake Thomas if he doesn't make the roster?

There are lots of good faces to put out there, have to look at the strategerie they can bring, bu above all, they need to be surrounded with a staff that gets things done.

Commissioner is not a football job, aards. Lapo and every other guy you mentioned has zero experience.

[theaardvark]

What? The job is first and foremost growing revenue for the league, its teams and owners, and maximizing profits. Football, when you're the commissioner/CEO, is a product. You don't need a football guy. You need someone capable of growing an entertainment business. Put into a context you have a better chance at understanding: a dog lover doesn't automatically make someone qualified to run a pet supply business, does it?

Nope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.

You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business...  just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.

Adam Bighill, for instance.  Think he's just a football meathead?

[blue_or_die]

Nope, but a dog lover who has a knack for business has a leg up on someone who isn't a dog lover.

You should have both, and a lot of players/coaches/GMs have gone to university for business...  just because you played/coached football does not mean you are a dumb jock.

Adam Bighill, for instance.  Think he's just a football meathead?

Not to pile on and certainly there are former players who are good on the business side, but it's not (or shouldn't be) run-of-the-mill commerce grads they seek out. You need someone with real business experience, ideally having worked in a situation where high stakes negotiations occur, major revenues are managed and grown, and there's an understanding of how an organization functions. Once they have this, the more they know about the CFL and football, the better, but I think that should come secondary.

Adam Bighill is a great example of a smart guy who's also a former pro baller, but he's also on the first rungs of a career is Finance with no experience running an organization. I know you weren't really suggesting him as a commish candidate, but I'm struggling to come up with examples of former players at that level. Wade Miller is one, but it took a long post-football biz career to get to that level.