2009 CFL season

The 19-week regular schedule, issued February 3 began on July 1, which was only the second time in league history that a CFL season started on Canada Day, with the first occurring in 1998.

[2] In February unexpected news was made when an American group, led by ex-NFL receiver Oronde Gadsden, announced their intentions to pursue a franchise in the CFL.

[3] Citing the suspension of the 2009 season of the Arena Football League and the demise of NFL Europe as a potential opportunity for growth the US market, Gadsen's group highlighted either Detroit–Windsor or Rochester, New York as possible locations for a new team.

Reaction from the CFL with respect to Gadsen's intentions was mixed, however, with league head office iterating a reluctance to return to US expansion while the Montreal Alouettes' American owner, Robert Wetenhall, welcoming the concept of bids involving border regions.

The Montreal Alouettes were the 2009 Grey Cup champions, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 28–27 on a field goal by Damon Duval at Calgary's McMahon Stadium on the last play of the game.