It wasn't the owners. It was US Immigration laws. canadians were not allowed to play on US teams. The only way expansion to the US would work... roster wise... was to eliminate all Canadians & make everything wide open. The US expansion of the mid 90's was doomed from the start because of it.
Granny Liggins was a great player. One of the last who could go both ways in a game. He was 7th in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year. We used to get so many quality players coming up here like him because of the lack of American pro teams, smaller rosters, leagues & money. Multiple CFL All Star at OG & DT. BTW, Granny is short for Granville.