In the 1990’s the Canadian Football League (CFL) expanded to the United States. The CFL’s American expansion took place over three seasons. From 1993 to 1995. The first American team was the Sacramento Gold Miners in 1993, followed by the addition of more teams in 1994 and 1995. With the Baltimore Stallions winning the Grey Cup in 1995 before the league reverted to being exclusively Canadian.

CFL Arrives in Baltimore

In 1994 Baltimore got a CFL team, the Baltimore Stallions and the timing was perfect. As major-league baseball was on strike, and the Baltimore Colts left town. This was also during a timeframe where the World football League folded. Providing the opportunity for football hungry fans, and the city of Baltimore was thirsty for professional football. During the Stallions two seasons in 1994 in 1995. They made it to the Grey Cup both seasons. Losing on the last second field goal in 1994 and then winning the Grey Cup, 37 to 20 in 1995.

Back To Canada

Then in 1996 the CFL returned to being exclusively Canadian after the American experiment ended. That same year, the NFL returned to Baltimore with the Baltimore Ravens. Although the American experiment in the CFL only lasted three seasons. The Baltimore Stallions secured their place in Canadian football league history. As the only American team to win a Grey Cup and also one of the best CFL teams of all time.

In the final weeks of the Stallions’ second season, it became public knowledge. That the Maryland Stadium Authority and City of Baltimore were in serious negotiations with Art Modell. The long-time owner of the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. To move his franchise to Baltimore for the 1996 season. While the Stallions did not last long. The city supported them with strong attendance. Averaging over 37,000 per game in 1994, and over 30,000 in 1995. Good numbers for a non NFL league.

Stallions owner Jim Speros knew his team could not compete with the overwhelmingly more popular NFL brand. Even before the agreement with Modell became official just a month after the Stallions’ Grey Cup triumph. He was actively seeking to re-locate his team elsewhere. And Speros ultimately chose to move his football organization to Montreal and reconstruct the team as the third and current version of the Montreal Alouettes. The Stallions franchise was dissolved, thus becoming one of three Grey Cup champions in the modern era to fold. The others being the Ottawa RoughRiders and the original Alouettes.

The CFL considers the Stallions to be a separate franchise from the Alouettes. Since then the CFL has remained at nine teams, and 2025 will see the 112th version of the Grey Cup.