TSN Launches New Original Series CFL AROUND THE TABLE, Beginning June 12

TORONTO (June 11, 2015) – With the 2015 Canadian Football League season about to kick off, TSN premieres the new original series CFL AROUND THE TABLE, a forum for candid discussion and debate about hot-button issues around the CFL. Employing a format modeled on fan-favourite RDS series TABLE D’HÔTE, and hosted by the CFL ON TSN’s Rod Smith, each 30-minute episode of the series features four noteworthy CFL personalities sharing memories and personal anecdotes about their experiences in the league. “CFL AROUND THE TABLE is an exciting new way for TSN to share compelling storylines from around the CFL, and to get to know some of the league’s best personalities,” said Mark Milliere, Senior Vice-President of Production, TSN. “With candid discussion on life in professional football, the series will give fans a totally new perspective on the league.” CFL AROUND THE TABLE premieres on Friday, June 12 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN2, immediately before the B.C. Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders in CFL ON TSN pre-season action. EPISODE ONE features Smith in conversation with four GREY CUP-winning general managers: the B.C. Lions’ Wally Buono, Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Brendan Taman, Montreal Alouettes’ Jim Popp, and Toronto Argonauts’ Jim Barker. The architects of five consecutive GREY CUP champion teams (2009-2013) compare notes on the toughest aspects of their jobs, including the development of homegrown Canadian players, and what it takes to fire a head coach. EPISODE TWO – Smith sits down with four former Coaches of the Year: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Kent Austin, Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Corey Chamblin, Toronto Argonauts’ Scott Milanovich, and Calgary Stampeders’ John Hufnagel. These master tacticians chat about their own personal connections, reveal how they prepare for each new season, and reflect on how coaches make critical play calls that determine the outcome of the game. Episode two airs Saturday, June 13 at 12:30 a.m. ET on TSN, following the conclusion of the Lions-Stampeders game. EPISODE THREE – Four elite CFL players – Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback Darian Durant, Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Drew Willy, and two Toronto Argonauts, receiver Chad Owens and defensive end Ricky Foley – come together to discuss a wide variety of topics, including the significant rule changes coming into effect in the 2015 season. Episode three airs Thursday, June 18 at 11 p.m. ET on TSN2. TSN’s entire slate of CFL AROUND THE TABLE is available for live streaming and on-demand viewing to TSN subscribers through TSN GO.