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“Joe, who own da Chiefs?”

That’s one of the many memorable lines from the classic 1977 hockey movie Slap Shot when Denis Lemieux, a goalie with the Charlestown Chiefs, asks Joe McGrath, the team’s manager, who owns the minor-league team.

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“Ownsss … ownsss,” McGrath responds.

“Ownsss … ownsss,” Lemieux repeats.

“I don’t know,” McGrath says.

“Tanks,” Lemieux says in his French accent before closing the door and leaving the manager’s office.

Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

I’ve been thinking about that scene recently, but using the line: “Who owns the Alouettes?”

The CFL has steadfastly maintained Robert Wetenhall continues to own and operate the Alouettes, but there have been reports the league has taken over the franchise and is looking for a new owner.

An email request I sent to the Alouettes asking for an interview about the ownership situation received this response: “We won’t be giving any interviews on that subject at this stage. We are still owned by the Wetenhall family, nothing has changed. For everyone in the organization, it’s business as usual. We all remain focused on preparing for the upcoming season, and a potential change of ownership doesn’t have any direct impact on our day-to-day jobs.”

The CFL and commissioner Randy Ambrosie aren’t talking, either.