Country Canada Number of teams 6–8 Domestic cup(s) Canadian Championship | Confederation CONCACAF Level on pyramid 1–2 | |
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The Canadian Premier League is a proposed fully professional, FIFA-sanctioned soccer league expected to begin play as early as 2018. Six to eight teams owned and operated, at least in part, by a mix of NHL and CFL ownership groups are expected to initially compete in the league. The league's focus will be to fully "Canadianize" itself to improve talent and the sport in Canada. An official announcement of the league including more details was expected to be made by June 2016. It is expected to be headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario.
Contents
History
A potential new fully professional Canadian soccer league was first reported in June 2013. At that time, it was reported that Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young was part of a core group of investors working with the Canadian Soccer Association and its president Victor Montagliani to create a new set of fully professional teams or a league in Canada. The CSA was exploring these options based upon a conceptual outline laid out in the Easton Report which recommended a fully professional Tier II league with supporting regional Tier III leagues. At that time, the CSA revealed that they had been exploring the possibility for the previous 18 months as Canada was by far the richest country in the world without its own fully professional league. The league would also develop a system of academies for young players and an MBA program to develop executives. At that time, it was also announced that the Tiger-Cats ownership group had been granted exclusive rights by the CSA until 2017 to establish a team that would play in the under-construction Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
Conversation of the league emerged again in February 2016 when Bob Young spoke to the Hamilton City Council requesting permission to erect an air-dome over Tim Hortons Field between December 1 and April 30 yearly to allow for year-round training for his new professional soccer team which would call the stadium home. During questions by the council members, it was revealed that the name of the league would be the Canadian Premier League and that the Hamilton team was expected to be the flagship franchise. Further details were expected following the Canada Soccer Association's annual meeting in May 2016. At that time it was unclear whether existing NASL clubs FC Edmonton and Ottawa Fury FC would join the new league.
In a March 2016 interview, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber indicated that, from his understanding, the league would be a "lower division" of the Canadian soccer league system but he had not had discussions with organizers of the new league.
Two reports in June 2016 indicated that the CPL would avoid current Major League Soccer markets. One of the reports also suggested that the CFL ownership groups would be less involved than previously believed, with four of the previously mentioned founding teams in CFL cities being replaced by teams in non-CFL locations such as Victoria and Halifax. A vote to finalize the business and set a date for official announcement was believed to be scheduled for Labour Day weekend.
On November 14, 2016, the first official employee of the Canadian Premier League was announced. Paul Beirne, a Canadian who was also the first employee of Toronto FC, was hired as Project Manager for the new league.
Players
Although foreign players and staff would be permitted by roster regulations, the intention of the league is to foster Canadian talent and develop Canadian coaches. The league will establish a quota of the minimum number of Canadians on each roster similar to American player requirements in Major League Soccer. Although three Canadian teams compete in MLS (Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC) there are currently no such roster requirements for Canadian players, although CSA president Victor Montagliani had previously stated that changes to these rules were imminent. Following the release of initial league details, it was rumored that 75% of all players on each roster would be required to be Canadian.
Teams
While a Hamilton team is confirmed, a number of other cities are rumored to be home to future franchises. Calgary Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders are believed to be one of the ownership groups, having a team play out of McMahon Stadium. The ownership of the Winnipeg Jets are rumored to be placing a team in Winnipeg, despite Jets ownership being based out of the MTS Centre, a venue unsuitable for soccer. The community owned Saskatchewan Roughriders may form a team in Regina. It is unclear whether existing NASL club FC Edmonton will join the new league. Halifax-based Sports & Entertainment Atlantic have suggested a 5,000-8,000 capacity stadium for a potential CPL franchise in the Maritimes region.
In a conference call with a number of predominant support groups that formed in anticipation over the Canadian Premier League Paul Bernie told the groups his vision for the teams participating in the league, stating that while it's not known how may teams will form the league, he anticipated 6 teams will begin the first season. However, the 7th and 8th team will already be known. Paul Bernie also stated that he hopes that the league will eventually grow to 12 teams within 10 years of forming.