CFL fans should soon be able to start planning their summers.

Last year’s schedule was revealed on Feb. 12, and CFL president and COO Michael Copeland is hoping fans will see it even earlier this year. There could be some hurdles that prevent that from happening, though.

“The schedule is an incredibly difficult one at the best of times,” Copeland said Thursday in Winnipeg, where the CFL’s annual winter meetings are being conducted. “This year it’s made more difficult with the 2015 Women’s World Cup and the Pan Am Games in southern Ontario. We’re working on it, we’re hopeful in the next short while we’ll be able to release a final version.

“We’re going through some final changes with the teams, so we’ve sent the teams a final draft to review. They’re reviewing it, and then coming out of that there inevitably will be some tweaks.”

The word is it’s going to be another rough schedule for the Argos, who have to fight for time at Rogers Centre this year with both the Blue Jays and the Pan Am Games. Last season, primarily due to the Blue Jays schedule, the Argos went seven weeks without a home game.

“That’s one of the things we’re trying to make sure we make it as good as it can possibly be, but there’s challenges there,” Copeland said. “The Argonauts have been really resilient in working through those challenges, but that’s one of the things that we’re still working on.”

A couple other item from this week’s meetings:

* The search for a new commissioner continues, and there’s a chance the final interview process could take place at the board of governors meeting in late February. The league would like to have someone in place before the season starts, but “it’s more important for the search committee to find the right individual,” Copeland said.

* Like most professional sports leagues, the CFL is always trying to figure out ways to attract new fans. That’s why Raptors “superfan” Nav Bhatia, who is a big reason why Toronto’s NBA team has such a diverse fan base, was in Winnipeg on Thursday to give a presentation to the league and its nine teams.

“You always have to maintain your core fan base, and we have an extremely strong one,” Copeland said. “So we’re committed to them, but reaching out to new fans and younger fans in new ways is important for any league. It’s a priority for us.”

LIONS LEADERS

B.C. Lions head coach Jeff Tedford revealed his staff on Thursday, naming his old buddy George Cortez as offensive co-ordinator.

Tedford and Cortez worked together at the University of California-Berkeley between 2002 and 2005. Cortez, who spent the last two years as the OC in Saskatchewan and won a Grey Cup in 2013, also brought offensive line coach Doug Malone with him from Regina to the West Coast.

Khari Jones, who spent one year as Lions offensive co-ordinator, has been demoted to receivers coach.

Tedford added some new blood to the CFL coaching circle as well, adding his former Fresno State and Oregon colleague Robin Ross to B.C.’s staff. Ross will serve as the defensive line coach.

Mark Washington will remain as B.C.’s defensive co-ordinator, with Johnny Holland staying on as linebackers coach. Chuck McMann keeps his special teams co-ordinator job but will also be the running backs coach after Tedford punted Kelly Bates from the staff.

CHAMPS LOCK UP ANOTHER

The Calgary Stampeders signed slotback Marquay McDaniel to a contract extension on Thursday, a day after Canadian defensive tackle Corey Mace did the same.

McDaniel was Calgary’s leading receiver when he suffered a hand injury in September, but he still ended up being their top pass catcher despite missing six games. He produced 792 yards and four touchdowns on 54 catches and had seven grabs for 61 yards in Calgary’s Grey Cup victory.

McDaniel believes the Stamps can go all the way again.

“Winning the Grey Cup was a dream come true in 2014, and I believe we have the personnel, skill and determination to be a serious contender for another championship in 2015,” McDaniel said in a press release.

WILD NEWS

The Bombers released linebacker and long snapper Ian Wild from his contract on Thursday, less than three weeks before he was scheduled to become a free agent.

The Bombers let him go early so he can sign an NFL contract, and sources say that squad is his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Ian Wild is a great football player in every facet of what you look for, and we are not at all surprised he has garnered interest from the National Football League,” Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said in a press release.

Wild appeared in 29 games during two seasons with the Blue and Gold, registering 142 tackles, 29 special teams tackles and four sacks. He also served as the team’s long snapper, and the Bombers struggled mightily at the position when he was out of the lineup due to injury.

Winnipeg has since signed reliable free agent long snapper Tim Cronk.

kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca

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