Wray Morrison: CFL teams should be fined for refusing mic

Earlier this week the CFL came down hard on the Edmonton Eskimos and head coach Jason Maas for his refusal to wear a microphone during the Oct. 10 game.

“Live Mic” games were agreed to by the CFL’s board of governors and promoted heavily on TSN, the rights holders for CFL football. In issuing a $15,000 fine to Maas and a $25,000 fine to the Eskimos, commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said that this was in “direct contravention of a directive from this leagues Board of Governors.” Orridge should be applauded for this ruling.

I know coaches get paid to coach, and players get paid to play.

However, the concept of marketing and promotion should be an easy one to understand, even for coaches and players. The concept is to give viewers and fans something new and unique without hurting the integrity of the game, in hopes of it generating interest. If it does generate interest it’s good for everyone, coaches and players included.