1996 CFL Season - CFL News in 1996

CFL News in 1996

At the CFL's Board of Governors Meetings, it was decided that the league would revert to its original All-Canadian team format in February, 1996.

The San Antonio Texans, Shreveport Pirates, Memphis Mad Dogs, and Birmingham Barracudas ceased operations and folded. In March, a dispersal draft was held for all players of U.S.-based teams, with the exception of one. The 1995 Grey Cup champion Baltimore Stallions were relocated to Montreal to become the new Montreal Alouettes. Up until this time, the city of Montreal had been without Canadian football for nine seasons. At the same time, the NFL returned to Baltimore with the arrival of the relocated Cleveland Browns.

With the removal of the American teams, the CFL realigned the divisions back to the original "East-West" format. With the return of the Alouettes, the team was placed in the East Division and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were placed back into the West Division, after 10 seasons.

The BC Lions and the Calgary Stampeders underwent ownership changes.