Ottawa to be called RedBlacks

Jun 8, 2013 - 11:47 PM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - The new Ottawa Canadian Football League franchise will be called the RedBlacks, the team announced on Saturday.

The team, scheduled to begin play in 2014, will have a logo of a classic R on a background that represents a round saw blade.

"RedBlacks represents Ottawa's sports history and pays tribute to the Ottawa men and women who serve our country," said Jeff Hunt, who is president of the sports division of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which owns the team. "From the original Rough Riders in the 1890's to the modern Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, red and black are the colors of Ottawa sport. They are also the ceremonial colors of Ottawa's Cameron Highlanders, the Governor General?s Foot Guards and the RCMP."

Ottawa lost its CFL franchise after the 2006 season.

"This is a great day for the city of Ottawa and the entire region, and a great day for the CFL," said CFL commissioner Mark Cohon. "The RedBlacks, with strong local ownership and passionate fans, will be an organization we can all be proud of, on and off the field. And they will be at the heart of the modern CFL we're building together, with new stadiums across the country, a new TV deal that kicks in next season, and a future that is bright and bold and confident."