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CFL in Halifax a hail Mary?

The Canadian Football League's commissioner will be in Halifax Friday, for what's expected to be a morale booster to those hoping the city will gain a professional team.

Randy Ambrosie issued a news release noting the league has made the Nova Scotia capital the sole non-franchise city on his national tour.

He'll be holding a public town hall in a large hotel ballroom in the city's downtown at noon on Friday.

The league has confirmed it has been in talks with a "professional, enthusiastic and impressive" group of prospective owners rallying for a Halifax franchise.

No spokesperson for the league was available Thursday, but a press release stated that Maritime Football Limited "has sparked the imagination of having a 10-team league."

"There is still lots to do, but the group is working hard to make the dream a reality. I'm here because I want our fans in Halifax and across Atlantic Canada to know they are an important part of the CFL family," Ambrosie said in a statement.

One economist who studies the Canadian sport industry says Halifax's major hurdle remains the issue of who will pay for a stadium that can house over 30,000 fans.

Moshe Lander of Concordia University says a solid plan for a stadium that includes taxpayers' support will need to be in place before a professional team can set up in Halifax.

"Where are you going to put a CFL team if you don't have a stadium?" he said. "A stadium is critical."



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