Tiger-Cats prez looks to season ahead

The free agency market opened for business in the CFL today, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced that they have re-signed special teams ace, Marc Beswick.

And that’s not the only news that we found out today.

It looks like Henry Burris “will” be the starting quarterback when the Tiger-Cats play their first home game at the new Tim Hortons Field after all — he just won’t be suiting-up for Hamilton.

That’s right, the Ottawa Redblacks will be the Ticats’ opponent when the stadium officially opens on Saturday, july 26th. And that’s not the only news Ticat president Glenn Gibson had to share with us.

“We heard a presentation this morning from Infrastructure Ontario. They’re very confident they’ll meet the June 30th date to turn the keys over to us.”

The CFL schedule will be officially released on Wednesday, but Gibson confirmed another very important date for Ticat fans: there will be a Labour Day game in Hamilton this year, and it will be against the Toronto Argonauts.

In his first full season as Ticats’ president, Gibson says there’s plenty to be excited about this year, and fans know it. Season tickets, premium tickets, and guest suite sales have all surprisingly exceeded the team’s expectations so far.

“If our numbers are correct and we get to where we want to get to, yes, this will be a profitable team.”

A money-making team, with Grey Cup potential, and a new stadium?

“I think, and I’m hoping – in free agency — that’s going to mean something to some of the players who are sitting on the fence. This is a destination spot, it should be a destination sport with everything going on.”