Jeffrey Orridge appears by all the evidence of his successful sports executive career to be a fast study and a man who achieves the goals he sets for himself.

That’s good, because the man who has just taken over as commissioner of the Canadian Football League has a lot on his plate.

Most challenging, perhaps, is the aging of CFL supporters and the lure of the flashier National Football League for younger fans. A poll last year found fans most loyal to the Grey Cup were over 55, while the 18-to-34-year-old crowd, so coveted by marketers, was more interested in the Super Bowl.

Next is the sheer political challenge of managing eight owners and nine teams. And of course, there’s the task of increasing ticket sales and TV and marketing revenues across the league.

Still, Orridge’s first priority has to be closer to home. To strengthen the league — and increase revenues — he must first secure the future of our own Toronto Argonauts.

They aren’t the most popular team in the league with their fan base but they are crucial to the league’s survival. Toronto is, after all, headquarters of the CFL and the major media market where earning potential is highest.

If the Argos don’t flourish, there will be a big question mark over the league’s future. As John Tory (open John Tory's policard), the Toronto mayor and a former CFL commissioner himself, said recently, the league might be able to survive without the Argonauts “but it would not survive in a strong kind of way.” That’s an understatement.

So what challenges does Orridge face to save the beleaguered “Double Blue”?

First, the Argos’ owner, David Braley, isn’t even interested in the team anymore. He’s been trying to sell it. That means he’s not focused on selling “the game” to fans here. That’s a big part of the reason for the disappointing turnouts at Argo games.

And as of 2017, when its contract with the Rogers Centre runs out, the team won’t even have a home playing field. Negotiations to have the Argos play at BMO Field haven’t been successful so far, nor has Ottawa anted up the $10 million in federal funds necessary to help pay for renovations to prepare the stadium for football.

Luckily, Orridge recognizes the importance of the Argos to the CFL’s overall game plan. “This city is vitally important to the health of the league; it is a priority,” he said this week as he took over as commissioner.

That recognition is good news for the Argonauts, Toronto and for the future of the CFL. Game on.