Is Argonauts-MLSE project a harbinger of things to come?

Let the speculation begin.

The Toronto Argonauts and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment sparked plenty of it on Thursday when they announced a partnership on a new practice facility for the CFL team at Toronto's Downsview Park. The team will move into the MLSE training centre next month, sharing some offices with MLSE-owned Toronto FC.

The announcement revived speculation on earlier MLSE plans to renovate BMO Field to accommodate both soccer and football and rumours that the sports conglomerate was interested in purchasing the financially troubled Argos.

The speculation isn't necessarily the product of idle minds.

Asked if this was an indication of further involvement with the football team, MLSE spokesman Dave Haggith said, "The idea of further dealings with the Argos is still on the radar, but for now, this is a stand-alone partnership to help with the issue of a practice facility for the team."

Haggith said that MLSE got involved to help out the Argos.

"MLSE recognizes the importance of the Argos in Toronto’s sporting and cultural landscape, and during the conversations about the possibility of the team playing home games at BMO Field in the future, this was an issue that we could assist them with immediately," he said in an e-mail.

That sentiment was echoed by MLSE chief project development officer Bob Hunter.

"Downsview Park has served as world-class grounds for Toronto FC's practice facility since 2012 and we saw this partnership as an opportunity to assist the Argos in their search for a new training home," Hunter said in a statement. "A dedicated training facility is instrumental to the success of any team and we know the Argos will benefit for years to come."

Argos general manager Jim Barker called the facility, which is expected to be open next month, "a home of our own."

"This will help in many ways, particularly in allowing our players and coaches to focus on the season and their game preparation," he said in a statement.

The fact that the Argos have practised in one of the poorest facilities in the league for years, operating out of portable units in Mississauga and now out of York University, explains Barker's enthusiasm. But if this is indeed the first shoe to drop on a sale to MLSE, he would be positively ecstatic.

That's because if MLSE had an ownership stake in the continent's oldest football team, it would ensure that the team had somewhere to play. At present, the Argos are being evicted from the Rogers Centre after the 2017 season without a new home in sight and with owner David Braley expressing a desire to sell the team.

Presumably, if MLSE is set to buy into the Argos, it would ensure that BMO Field soccer stadium would be renovated to accommodate football.

That appeared to be imminent earlier this year, but ran into a snag when MLSE tabled the plan after the federal government indicated that it was not on board to contribute $10 million to the $120 million project.

Clouding the issue and fuelling conspiracy theories were recent reports that rocker Jon Bon Jovi and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum are part of a conglomerate bidding to buy the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. There has been speculation that MLSE is interested in buying the Argos to ensure the team's survival and curry favour with the NFL.

The NFL reportedly isn't interested in establishing a team in Canada if it would endanger any CFL franchises. Furthermore, if MLSE showed that it could run a viable football franchise, the NFL would presumably be more amenable to granting it a team.

If MLSE isn't interested in renovating BMO or buying the Argos, there appears to be no logical reason for the partnership other than being a good neighbour. If so, it might be a first in the world of pro sports.