Ottawa sports fans know the name Tim Baines — and now the beloved local journalist is suiting up (figuratively) for the RedBlacks.
Baines, who spent decades covering Ottawa sports for the Ottawa Sun and became one of the city's most recognizable CFL voices, has taken on a new role as an in-house writer for the Ottawa RedBlacks. The news was discussed on TSN's The Drive, where Baines talked about the transition from covering the team to working for it.
From Press Row to the Pressroom
It's not uncommon for veteran journalists to make the leap to communications and content roles — especially when they've built the kind of deep relationships and institutional knowledge that Baines has developed over a career following Ottawa football. For a franchise looking to connect authentically with its fanbase, hiring someone who already speaks the language of Ottawa sports fans is a savvy move.
Baines spent years chronicling the highs and lows of CFL football in the nation's capital — from the Rough Riders era through the revival of the RedBlacks in 2014. Few people know this franchise and its community as well as he does.
What This Means for RedBlacks Content
With the CFL season approaching, the RedBlacks have been actively building out their brand presence. Bringing in a writer of Baines' calibre signals that the organization is serious about storytelling — not just game recaps and press releases, but the kind of narrative-driven content that keeps fans engaged year-round.
Expect deeper features on players, behind-the-scenes looks at the organization, and the kind of textured Ottawa football coverage that only someone with Baines' background can deliver.
A New Chapter for an Ottawa Icon
For Ottawa sports fans, there's something poetic about Baines finding a home with the RedBlacks. His career has been intertwined with Ottawa football for so long that the move feels less like a career change and more like a homecoming.
The RedBlacks open their 2026 CFL season at TD Place, and with Baines now helping shape the team's voice, the off-field storytelling is set to be as compelling as what happens on the turf.
Source: TSN's The Drive via Google News Ottawa
