Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
The Ontario Lacrosse Association sent out a brief tweet last week.
The tweet announced an ad hoc committee has been established to examine the scenario in which the Brampton Excelsiors Major Lacrosse team would shift their operations to Owen Sound.
Furthermore, the tweet stated the committee would report to the O.L.A. Board of Directors and the ultimate decision will be based on what’s best for the sport.
The scenario is now 2 months long and dragging.
In mid-November,the news that was anticipated in many circles surfaced on social media, claiming the Excelsiors were moving to Owen Sound.
The owner of the Excelsiors, Joe Norton, who also owns the Owen Sound Bug Juice Senior NorthStars, confirmed his intentions the day the news surfaced.
Within days there was an outcry in certain Brampton circles lamenting the fate of the historic Excelsiors and threatening legal action.
Next, in an interview with CFOS, the Major Lacrosse Commissioner, Doug Luey, stated the process was ongoing and the ultimate decision was expected in early December.
Which brings us to mid-January and the news last week of the establishment of an ad hoc committee
No one in Ontario sports ever asks for my perspective but here it is;
– as far as I can tell, the Excelsiors are Joe Norton’s property and thus he should be free to do with it as he pleases.
– if the O.L.A. is worried about legal action from the Excelsiors, shouldn’t they be equally worried about legal action from Joe Norton, if he is the owner of the property ?
– for the last few years, Joe Norton has more or less gone it alone with little to no support in Brampton; Now there’s an onslaught of historic lacrosse passion ?
& while I respect those who hold the Excelsiors near & dear, I can’t understand the difference between this scenario and the previous franchise shift of the KW Kodiaks to Cobourg.
Again, I never get asked to sit on any ad hoc committees, but if I did, the recommendation in this case would be quick and clear.
I’m Fred Wallace