The Canadian Football League has been faced with an unprecedented number of trials and tribulations as a result of the pandemic. However, it is looking to forge ahead with its expansion plans.

One major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was having the 2020 season canceled and a shorter number of games with the 2021 season. Additionally, before the 2020 season began, there were heated negotiations between the CFL and the CFL Players’ Association which could’ve impacted yet another season.

With the full season now underway and a majority of these challenges in the past, the league is now looking for ways to grow and believes a 10th team would be a step in the right direction.

“[A] 10th team for this league has been the long dreamt promised land,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a report. “We really believe we need to get that 10th team.”

There has been growing interest in CFL in Atlantic Canada and it only seems natural for a new team to spring up from the region. However, private ownership groups have been left feeling frustrated in their attempts to buy a new CFL team.

A fundraiser in support of the Atlantic Canada Moose CFL expansion team has kicked off donations to collectively raise enough money to place a formal bid to the CFL for a new team—which would have a not-for-profit, community-owned structure. Should the bid for Atlantic Canada Moose be successful, this would ensure that the Board of Directors of this new team would be focused on serving the community’s interest and achieving the desires of local football fans—which would be building a team strong enough to win the Grey Cup.

The fundraiser campaign group has stated that donors of $100 - $499 would qualify to be named as co-founders of the Atlantic Canada Moose, should a formal bid get submitted to the CFL. Donors of $500 or more would be listed as a primary co-founder under the same conditions, while a donation of $650 would get you an Atlantic Canada Moose T-shirt on top of that.