1992–1993 Canadian Football League in the United States

with green light owners, smith began task of expanding league across border, beginning june 1992 exhibition game between argos , stampeders in portland, oregon. total of 15,362 attended, close averages later american teams post. portland considered franchise, investors failed emerge. expansion announcement prompted numerous applications wide variety of american cities. end of expansion era, minimum of 22 cities reported have been considered teams.

coincidentally, world league of american football, attempt nfl create spring league in major markets without nfl teams, suspended north american operations after 1992 season. wlaf owners fred anderson of sacramento surge , larry j. benson of san antonio riders applied join cfl sacramento gold miners , san antonio texans, respectively.

on january 13, 1993 league approved both franchises vote of 7–1, winnipeg dissenting. league owners decided not apply requirement of 20 non-import canadian-raised players american squads, fearing requirement violation of employment laws.

the experiment started on sour note, however, when ownership dispute forced benson pull san antonio out on same evening franchise formally introduced. anderson decided continue venture after bensons s withdrawal, made clear did not want american franchise after 1993.

the gold miners placed in strong west division , finished last record of 6–12. gold miners played @ austere hornet stadium, located on campus of sacramento state university , averaged around 17,000 fans per game, selling 9,000 season tickets.

in response massive disparity between east , west divisions, decided in middle of season grant fourth place western team playoff berth. there speculation done in part ensure sacramento remained in playoff contention long possible , @ insistence of ryckman, preferred revenue of 2 playoff games first place stampeders on first-round bye.