Email to the CFL's media relations professionals and Board of Governors
From: Matthew Birt <b******@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 15, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Subject: Questions for the CFL BoG
To:
Cc: Matthew Birt <b******@gmail.com>
Bcc: [all emails for CFL media relations personnel, as well as Board of Governors]
Subject: Questions for the CFL BoG
To:
Cc: Matthew Birt <b******@gmail.com>
Bcc: [all emails for CFL media relations personnel, as well as Board of Governors]
Good afternoon –
As an ardent opponent of next year’s forthcoming changes to the CFL field and rulebook, I have been writing and releasing an article that voices my displeasure with the new rules as well as the Board of Governors. An upcoming part of my article, which I plan to publish sometime between October 22-31, involves background research on everyone who was a member of the CFL Board of Governors during the 2025 season, when the changes were announced by Commissioner Johnston.
In an effort to bring balance to the piece, I am reaching out to as many members of the board as I can find contact information for (if you are not a board member, I politely request you forward this message to the board members within your organization). I am seeking replies to the five questions I have written below. While my research can provide me with certain publicly available information, the individuals on the board are capable of giving the most accurate responses to each of these queries. Answers to these questions would be appreciated no later than October 21.
[note: My email to Edmonton included the following paragraph that the other emails did not]
I do understand that Mr. Thompson passed away last September, and offer my condolences. If these questions do reach Mrs. Thompson, I politely ask if she is able to reply with the answers that both she and Mr. Thompson would give, it would be most helpful.
1) When did you join the CFL Board of Governors?
2) What are your qualifications to be a member of the CFL Board of Governors?
3) What was your previous experience in football (as a player, coach, official, etc.) prior to becoming a member of the board?
4) What data/evidence do you have that backs up and supports the board’s position that the proposed changes to the game will work, and that the changes will enhance the entertainment value and gameplay in the CFL?
5) Is there anything else you would like to add related to the proposed rule changes (or the league overall) that the general public should know?
I have been a longtime advocate of the Canadian Football League. Although my fandom has always been squarely behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders, my residency in Buffalo, New York has allowed me to be a season ticket holder for both the Argos and the Ti-Cats. For as long as I have watched, I have said to anyone within earshot that the CFL has always been a better product and better version of the game than what we have stateside. These changes to the field and rulebook only diminish the uniqueness of what defines Canadian football.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Respectfully,
Matthew Birt
716-***-****
b******@gmail.com
www.birtmc.com
As an ardent opponent of next year’s forthcoming changes to the CFL field and rulebook, I have been writing and releasing an article that voices my displeasure with the new rules as well as the Board of Governors. An upcoming part of my article, which I plan to publish sometime between October 22-31, involves background research on everyone who was a member of the CFL Board of Governors during the 2025 season, when the changes were announced by Commissioner Johnston.
In an effort to bring balance to the piece, I am reaching out to as many members of the board as I can find contact information for (if you are not a board member, I politely request you forward this message to the board members within your organization). I am seeking replies to the five questions I have written below. While my research can provide me with certain publicly available information, the individuals on the board are capable of giving the most accurate responses to each of these queries. Answers to these questions would be appreciated no later than October 21.
[note: My email to Edmonton included the following paragraph that the other emails did not]
I do understand that Mr. Thompson passed away last September, and offer my condolences. If these questions do reach Mrs. Thompson, I politely ask if she is able to reply with the answers that both she and Mr. Thompson would give, it would be most helpful.
1) When did you join the CFL Board of Governors?
2) What are your qualifications to be a member of the CFL Board of Governors?
3) What was your previous experience in football (as a player, coach, official, etc.) prior to becoming a member of the board?
4) What data/evidence do you have that backs up and supports the board’s position that the proposed changes to the game will work, and that the changes will enhance the entertainment value and gameplay in the CFL?
5) Is there anything else you would like to add related to the proposed rule changes (or the league overall) that the general public should know?
I have been a longtime advocate of the Canadian Football League. Although my fandom has always been squarely behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders, my residency in Buffalo, New York has allowed me to be a season ticket holder for both the Argos and the Ti-Cats. For as long as I have watched, I have said to anyone within earshot that the CFL has always been a better product and better version of the game than what we have stateside. These changes to the field and rulebook only diminish the uniqueness of what defines Canadian football.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Respectfully,
Matthew Birt
716-***-****
b******@gmail.com
www.birtmc.com