Former Toronto mayoral candidate Karen Stintz has thrown her hat in the ring to become the next commissioner of the CFL.
Stintz told the Toronto Star on Friday that she is interested in the position currently held by Mark Cohon, who announced on Wednesday that he will not seek a third term.
The North York, Ont., native, who dropped out of the mayoral race on Thursday, said she grew up a big NFL fan but has grown to love the Canadian game over the years.
“I grew up with dad, who is from Baltimore, and grew up with football,” Stintz told The Star. “I started watching the (NFL) Baltimore Colts, but then they moved to Indianapolis, so then I watched the (short-lived CFL) Baltimore Stallions, and then Baltimore got the (NFL) Ravens.
“I grew up with the NFL but last year I had season’s tickets for the Argos and I’ve been to two Grey Cups.”
Although Stintz acknowledged she is a long shot to replace Cohon, who has held the role since 2007, the former city councillor and head of the Toronto Transit Commission said it’s a position she has had her eye on for a while.
“I’ve long thought about what a great job it would be to have,” Stintz said. “I see a unique opportunity for the CFL finding a (new) home (stadium) for the Argos, making sure they stay in Toronto, and because the CFL is expanding — a new team in Ottawa and (potentially) another out East — it’s a new time for the league.”
