The group supporting the unsuccessful Atlantic Schooners project has created a website for refunds following criticism that they made it difficult for fans to reclaim their money after making a deposit for season tickets. Each fan had paid a $50 deposit per seat, but the CFL team never materialized. Concerns have been raised by some depositors about the group associated with the team bid and how the league managed the situation.
In late 2018, the team initiated a season-ticket campaign, attracting over 6,000 depositors. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CFL initiative faded into obscurity. The two related entities behind the endeavor, Schooner Sports and Entertainment, and Maritime Football Limited, had their registrations revoked in the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
The refund website was quietly launched by the proponents in late August, promising refunds within 30 to 60 days of submitting a refund request. Some depositors, like Dave Smith from Amherst, N.S., who paid a $100 deposit for two seats, expressed confusion over the lack of communication from the group regarding refund procedures.
Transparency concerns have also been raised by individuals such as Jen Harris from Beechville, N.S., who deposited $100 for two seats and believes the league should have been more forthcoming about the situation. The CFL distanced itself from the Schooners project, emphasizing that the season ticket deposits were managed by Schooners Sports and Entertainment.
Despite the lack of recent updates, the CFL maintains an Atlantic Schooners website, albeit with outdated information. The timeline of the Schooners project was active leading up to the pandemic, with Anthony LeBlanc, a former CEO of the Phoenix Coyotes, playing a key role in the venture. LeBlanc transitioned to an executive position with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators by April 2020 but retained a director position with Maritime Football Limited.
According to LeBlanc, efforts to bring a CFL team to Halifax involved fulfilling significant financial obligations. Prior to the launch of the refund website, some individuals struggled to obtain refunds or locate refund information. The process is now in place for depositors to claim their money back.
Mark Howard, a depositor from Florida with ties to northern Nova Scotia, echoed the sentiment that the Schooners should have been more transparent with their supporters. The experiences of depositors like Howard and Harris highlight the challenges faced by fans who eagerly supported the now-defunct CFL franchise.
