Proponents behind failed Halifax CFL franchise quietly refund ticket deposits

The backers of the failed Atlantic Schooners have set up a refund website after facing criticism they didn't make it easy for fans to get their money back after they made a deposit for season tickets.

The fans paid a deposit of $50 per seat. But the CFL franchise never got off the ground.

However, some people who put up the money have questions about the group behind the franchise bid, as well as the league's handling of the situation.

The team launched a season-ticket drive in late 2018. At least 6,000 people made deposits.

But the CFL venture disappeared from the public conversation when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Two affiliated companies behind the idea — Schooner Sports and Entertainment and Maritime Football Limited — had their registrations revoked in the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

A July CBC News story highlighted how some fans were left wondering what happened to their money. In late August, the proponents quietly launched the refund website.

Dave Smith of Amherst, N.S., paid a $100 deposit to secure two seats. He said the proponents must have had contact information for people who made the deposits, so he doesn't understand why they weren't notified.

"It's kind of like, 'Well, we did [set up the website] and we'll tell a few people,' but it’s almost like, 'Don't say it too loud. We don't want everybody coming for their money back,' right?" said Smith.

While he welcomes the chance to get a refund, he also thinks the league should have been more transparent. He said he gets a weekly newsletter from the CFL and said there has been no mention of the refund website.

"Doing anything like that actually makes them look a little more responsible," said Smith.

Jen Harris agrees. The Beechville, N.S., resident