Ottawa court decision is a big gain for the CFL, but not quite a touchdown yet

The CFL's planned return to Ottawa has been a long and slow process held essentially in limbo for years thanks to the developmental and stadium plans of the city and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group undergoing a court challenge from the Friends of Lansdowne organization, but the cause appears to have taken a significant step forward with Monday's Ontario Court of Appeal decision in favour of the city. If the Friends of Lansdowne decide to end their court challenges here, the way should be relatively clear of legal issues, allowing the city and OSEG to move forward towards Ottawa's scheduled return to the CFL in 2014. However, they do still have the option of trying to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, and if that body decides to hear an appeal, things could be delayed even longer. Even if the legal battles end here, though, there's still a lot that has to happen before an Ottawa team takes the field for the 2014 season.

It's interesting that CFL commissioner Mark Cohon has already commented on this, though, and that he did so in very strong terms. That suggests the league is quite confident that this ruling will allow them to proceed as planned. Here's what Cohon had to say:

There is some reason for Cohon's optimism, as examination suggests that there isn't much chance of this legal battle going to the Supreme Court. Justice Charles Hackland already ruled in the city's favour at a Ontario Superior Court trial last summer, and the Friends of Lansdowne's appeal that Hackland made judicial errors was denied unanimously Monday by the three-judge Ontario Court of Appeal panel of Justice Susan Lang, Justice Robert Blair and Chief Justice Warren Winkler. That wouldn't seem to leave much room for an appeal, and the Supreme Court isn't obligated to hear one. Plus, the Friends would likely have to raise more money to finance an appeal to that level. Given all that, it's tough to imagine a scenario where the group manages to put together an appeal that's heard by the Supreme Court. It can't be ruled out, though, and if that does happen, that would likely significantly delay the CFL timetable given the time it takes for cases to be heard at that level.

If there isn't an appeal, it's still not quite home free for the city and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, though. Yes, they've won in court so far, and yes, many will be cheering that decision, but everything that's happened so far suggests that putting a CFL franchise in Ottawa is not going to be an easy process. There's some real opposition to this project, and that may not die even if the Friends of Lansdowne's legal challenge does. Beyond that, there are all the usual issues with constructing a stadium on a tight timeline (ask Winnipeg about that!), and this one carries extra complications thanks to it being only part of a much larger development project. There's plenty for Ottawa CFL fans to be optimistic about with Monday's ruling, particularly if it isn't appealed, but they're still a considerable ways from the end zone.