For Pierre-Carl Peddeau, getting a Montreal Alouette isn’t a transaction, it’s a labor of love.
The Montreal native, who is reportedly worth US$1.9 billion, reached a deal on Friday to buy the Canadian Football League team from the league.
As part of an agreement with the team’s former owner, the terms of the sale remained confidential, but Peddo said it required a “no small amount” signature.
“This is not about running a business, it’s about pride,” Peddow said at a press conference at the Olympic Stadium. “The Alouettes have been going through a period of instability and my engagement is long-term.
We will do what it takes to make our fans proud of their investment in our team and community, and bring them success again. “
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambroise called Perrado’s acquisition of the team “the start of a great new era” and a “win-win” for his league. He added that he was interested in the acquisition, but Peddeau’s passion and potential for having a local property in Montreal changed the size of his and CFL’s governorships.
Perrador, 61, became the first local Alouette owner in the franchise’s current iteration, and the first since Leo Dandurand founded the original Alouette in 1946.
“These are the very qualities you see in an owner like Bob Young (of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats),” said Ambrose. “We’ve seen those exact same qualities at BC lately, with passion and dedication to (Amahl) Dolman and his community.”
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie (right) shakes hands with Pierre-Carl Peddeau after announcing him as the new owner of the Montreal Alouette football team after a press conference in Montreal, Friday, March 10, 2023.Canadian Press/Graham HughesPerrado has decided to acquire the team personally rather than through Quebecole, the media and telecommunications company of which he is president and chief executive officer.he said the company was in the midst of turmoil $3 billion wireless contract he didn’t want to get in the way.
“[The Alouettes]are not a profitable company. It doesn’t mean they’re going to go away one day, but they need capital right now,” said Perrado. “From that perspective, we don’t want Alouette to be a distraction for our team.
“Quebec’s influence at Alouette has become apparent not to be right, but we remain relevant with the team because Quebec can bring a lot to Alouette and Alouette can bring to Quebec. .”
CFL is currently working on media rights deals with TSN and RDS, owned by Quebec rival Bell Media, through 2025.
“Rights are managed by the league, there are no local rights,” said Perrado. “We’ll see what happens (in 2025), but I think it’s too early to predict anything. We’ll have to wait for the right time to assess the situation.”
Former Alouette president Mario Cecchini made a provisional return to the league when he took over the team from the estate of Ontario businessman Sid Spiegel and Spiegel’s son-in-law Gary Stern on February 14. . His mission was to facilitate transactions with CFL’s banking partner, his Park Lane.
Cecchini was recently appointed Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and is expected to take office on May 8.
“I’m not saying it will take three years, but it will take days or weeks to take the necessary steps,” Perrado said of finding a future president. “You’ve identified your candidate. It’s important to take the time necessary to fully understand your objectives.”
When asked if Annie LaRouche, a former Alouette staffer and current vice-president of the Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, is a candidate, Perrado pauses before laughing and telling reporters, “You’re smart.” Told.
Alouette currently plays at McGill University’s Percival Molson Stadium, which is not owned by the team. The team will train at Olympic Park, which it does not own. When asked about the situation, Perrador said Alouette would at least play at Percival Molson Stadium to start the season.
“It’s not the most modern stadium, it’s actually one of the oldest, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do about it,” Peddow said. “As we speak, I think it may be premature to give an answer[about improving the stadium]without taking the necessary time.
The Alouettes’ neighbors, Major League Soccer CF Montreal, have expressed their intention to remedy the situation. President Gabriel Gervais said this week that the team is open to improving their home stadium, Stade Sapt, or even building a new stadium.
Perrado, who has been associated with the football team through Quebec, has not closed the door on a possible partnership for a new stadium at some point in the future. It hosts the Argonauts and MLS club Toronto FC.
“[CF Montreal owner]Joey Saputo and I know each other very well and hold him and his family in high esteem.” Is it conceivable? Not impossible, and if so I can assure you that we will do it with great enthusiasm.”
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on March 10, 2023.
