Ambrosie holds final state of the league address as CFL commissioner ahead of Grey Cup

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie Offers Advice to Successor

As CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie prepares to step down in 2025, he has some friendly advice for his successor: Surround yourself with good people and be open-minded. Ambrosie held his final state of the league address on Tuesday, reflecting on his seven-plus-year tenure as the CFL’s 14th commissioner.

Ambrosie, a 61-year-old Winnipeg native, took on the role in 2017, succeeding Jeffrey Orridge. His tenure is the second-longest in CFL history, behind the late Jake Gaudaur (1968-84). While Ambrosie won’t have a say in choosing his successor, he is more than willing to offer guidance on the importance of having a strong supporting cast and maintaining an open-minded approach.

Throughout his time as commissioner, Ambrosie has been a vocal advocate for CFL expansion, particularly in the Maritimes. He has even organized games in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in an effort to promote the idea of a 10th CFL franchise in the region. Despite his efforts, the league has yet to make significant progress towards this goal.

While Ambrosie remains optimistic about the potential for CFL expansion, he believes that any new team should be based in Canada rather than the United States. This stance reflects his commitment to preserving the league’s Canadian identity and ensuring that the CFL continues to thrive on home soil.