When the proposed Atlantic Schooners CFL franchise introduced a season-ticket drive in late 2018, Rob MacCormick spent $100 on a deposit for two seats.
The Windsor Junction, N.S., sports activities fan needed to help the workforce. He additionally hoped that if the franchise got here to fruition, extra live shows would come to town due to the stadium the workforce wanted to assemble as a part of the enterprise.
MacCormick wasn’t alone in putting a deposit. The Canadian Press reported in December 2018 that 6,000 individuals had finished the identical. At $50 a ticket, that is at the least $300,000.
CBC Information spoke to 10 individuals who mentioned they paid the deposit. Eight — together with MacCormick — mentioned they didn’t obtain refunds.
“If you go a pair at a time, it definitely does add up, and perhaps anyone needs to be accountable to this,” mentioned MacCormick.
Anthony LeBlanc was one of many proponents with Maritime Soccer Restricted, which was behind a enterprise to convey a CFL franchise to Halifax. (Robert Quick/CBC)
Because the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the CFL enterprise disappeared from the general public dialog. Two affiliated corporations behind the concept — Schooner Sports activities and Leisure and Maritime Soccer Restricted — have had their registrations revoked within the Registry of Joint Inventory Corporations.
Schooner Sports activities and Leisure sought municipal and provincial funding to construct a 24,000-seat, $110-million stadium in Shannon Park. The house would have been used for group sports activities and main live shows as effectively.
This itemizing reveals the season-ticket deposit offered for the Atlantic Schooners by way of Ticketmaster. (Submitted by Rob MacCormick)
In December 2019, Halifax council voted to present the proponents $20 million, however provided that an inventory of situations have been met.
“We’re thrilled. We thank council for his or her due diligence and really spirited debate. We’re very excited to maneuver ahead,” mentioned Schooner Sports activities and Leisure accomplice Anthony LeBlanc.
By April 2020, LeBlanc had taken an govt function with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. Nevertheless, he remained a director with Maritime Soccer Restricted, the Registry of Joint Inventory Corporations info reveals.
MacCormick mentioned he used to get the odd e mail from Schooner Sports activities and Leisure about issues like city corridor occasions. He even acquired a vacation e mail encouraging him to purchase tickets for family members. However the emails finally dried up.
Rob MacCormick says this is likely one of the few emails he acquired from the Atlantic Schooners after paying a deposit for a pair of season tickets. (Rob MacCormick)
“Over time, I felt that the deposit was gone and it was $100, not the tip of the world, however you understand, it simply felt like issues weren’t going to occur,” mentioned MacCormick.
The CFL maintains an Atlantic Schooners web site. Whereas updates on the state of the franchise are a number of years outdated, the location nonetheless pulls in contemporary tales from the league’s web site.
Jason Mullis, a diehard CFL fan who lives in Gatineau, Que., additionally put down a deposit for season tickets. He purchased tickets as a result of he needed to see an East Coast franchise that might create a coast-to-coast league and set up a much-sought tenth workforce.
Mullis, who has pushed throughout the nation to attend video games in any respect CFL stadiums, has a Fb web page referred to as the Cflhobo that he makes use of to share his ardour for the league.
He deliberate to buy season tickets for a Halifax franchise, however would have donated most of them given geographic constraints.
Jason Mullis paid the deposit for season tickets. He by no means bought a refund and is not involved about it, however says he noticed social media posts from individuals complaining about not getting their cash. (CBC)
Mullis mentioned he is not involved in regards to the refund cash, however mentioned he noticed some on-line chatter from sad followers.
“Folks have been upset. ‘Oh, I have never heard nothing. The place’s our cash?'” he mentioned.”However, I do not fear about it. For those who really need it again, you possibly can complain sufficient, you may get your a refund.”
CBC contacted officers with Schooner Sports activities and Leisure. LeBlanc agreed to an interview, however later despatched alongside a press release as a substitute.
Proponents say they’ll launch a refund portal
In it, he mentioned the proponents are establishing a portal to honour new refund requests. He mentioned info on the portal will probably be launched shortly.
LeBlanc mentioned that when Schooner Sports activities and Leisure shut down in 2023, the corporate had no property or liabilities, and had been providing refunds to season ticket holders for 5 years.
“These deposits have been and continued to be refundable, with a major variety of deposit holders searching for refunds,” he mentioned within the e mail. “All the requests that have been submitted by way of correct channels have been honored.”
LeBlanc mentioned the hassle to convey a CFL franchise to Halifax concerned “vital and materials monetary obligations, all of which have been honored.” He mentioned Schooner Sports activities and Leisure partnered with organizations that included architectural, public relations, authorities relations and advertising corporations.
Schooner Sports activities and Leisure proposed constructing a stadium at Shannon Park in Dartmouth, N.S., to accommodate a CFL workforce. Whereas town agreed to present $20 million to assist fund it, there have been an extended record of situations, together with constructing the stadium at a distinct agreed-upon location. (Brian MacKay/CBC)
Schooner Sports activities and Leisure additionally partnered with the CFL on a 2019 sport that was held in Moncton, N.B., that led to “vital and materials monetary losses,” mentioned LeBlanc.
The group determined to spike the CFL franchise, partially, due to a scarcity of urge for food to assist fund the undertaking.
“With the onset of the pandemic, all public sector entities made the very prudent choice to pause, and finally withdrew agreements and suspended ongoing discussions concerning the undertaking,” mentioned LeBlanc.
