From the second-hand information I received, they were easy to spot.

Officials from the NFL, the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers were in the Manitoba capital on Wednesday and Thursday, taking a look at the city, and Investors Group Field. The six-year-old stadium, co-owned by the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba among others, was being shown off by the locals. That’s smart.

One way to pay down debt, and assist taxpayers who are paying for a stadium like Investors Group Field in a major centre, is to book large events in the venue. Something such as one NFL pre-season game may not make a sizable dent in paying off a stadium, but it will generate tourism dollars for a city. It’s better than having Investors Group Field sit empty on that day.

The debate isn’t about liking the CFL over the NFL or vice versa, or whether any of you would go to a pre-season game or not. This is about seeing an opportunity when it arises. It appears as if Winnipeg and Manitoba may have a leg up in that category.