Argos find some wiggle room
Children's concert forced league to change plans
By DAVID NAYLOR
Friday, October 15, 2004 - Page S1
The Canadian Football League is expected to announce today that the East Division semi-final will be played on Friday, Nov. 5, if the Toronto Argonauts wind up as the host of the game.
Sources confirm the league reached a tentative decision yesterday in a telephone conference to discuss issues pertaining to the playoffs.
A formal announcement will be made today once all the details have been ironed out.
The date change became necessary after the SkyDome booked both Nov. 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) for a series of concerts by the Wiggles.
Wiggles is a popular Australian group that performs song and dance for young children.
Traditionally, all CFL playoff games are played on Sunday afternoons or evenings.
With the Argos a safe bet to finish second in the East, the league had to put together a contingency plan after the SkyDome brass declined to consider moving the Wiggles.
League governors opted for the Friday date.
The decision was made over possibly playing on Monday at the SkyDome or moving the game to Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa as a neutral site.
The CBC also has apparently agreed to shift its broadcast schedule to suit the change.
Friday night was the preferred option of Argos president Keith Pelley.
However, it might not be so popular with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, whom the Argos are unlikely to play host to in the East Division semi-final.
As the likely third-place finisher in the East, Hamilton will finish its schedule on Oct. 31 and would have only four days to prepare for the semi-final.
The Argos, who will play their final regular-season game on Oct. 29, would have six days.
Children's concert forced league to change plans
By DAVID NAYLOR
Friday, October 15, 2004 - Page S1
The Canadian Football League is expected to announce today that the East Division semi-final will be played on Friday, Nov. 5, if the Toronto Argonauts wind up as the host of the game.
Sources confirm the league reached a tentative decision yesterday in a telephone conference to discuss issues pertaining to the playoffs.
A formal announcement will be made today once all the details have been ironed out.
The date change became necessary after the SkyDome booked both Nov. 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) for a series of concerts by the Wiggles.
Wiggles is a popular Australian group that performs song and dance for young children.
Traditionally, all CFL playoff games are played on Sunday afternoons or evenings.
With the Argos a safe bet to finish second in the East, the league had to put together a contingency plan after the SkyDome brass declined to consider moving the Wiggles.
League governors opted for the Friday date.
The decision was made over possibly playing on Monday at the SkyDome or moving the game to Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa as a neutral site.
The CBC also has apparently agreed to shift its broadcast schedule to suit the change.
Friday night was the preferred option of Argos president Keith Pelley.
However, it might not be so popular with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, whom the Argos are unlikely to play host to in the East Division semi-final.
As the likely third-place finisher in the East, Hamilton will finish its schedule on Oct. 31 and would have only four days to prepare for the semi-final.
The Argos, who will play their final regular-season game on Oct. 29, would have six days.
