Rogers Centre, Argonauts finalize agreement

The Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts signed a new license agreement Friday to play at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays' home park, until Dec. 31, 2017.

The agreement includes an option for the Argonauts to terminate the agreement earlier, and both parties agreed that they haven't contemplated a license renewal past the end of 2017.

Though it was made official Friday, this deal had been rumored for several weeks. It figures to be the last lease agreement between the Argonauts and Rogers Centre, as the Blue Jays want to install natural grass at their ballpark but can't do so until the CFL team finds another home stadium.

"We are pleased to have concluded what has been a very amicable negotiation with the Argonauts resulting in an agreement that is fair for both the Blue Jays and the Argonauts," Blue Jays and Rogers Centre president and CEO Paul Beeston said in a statement. "The length of the deal allows the Argonauts a reasonable period of time to pursue other stadium options while allowing us sufficient time to plan the logistics of various stadium improvements, including the installation of a grass playing surface for baseball at Rogers Centre."

Argonauts executive chairman and CEO Chris Rudge added that "Rogers Centre representatives have been a pleasure to negotiate with through this license agreement extension.

"The Argos look forward to the process of developing and implementing a plan for a new home for the team while we continue to be a cornerstone tenant of the stadium that has been our home since its opening in 1989," Rudge said in a statement.