Ottawa sports fans know the name Tim Baines — and now the Ottawa REDBLACKS are making it official. The CFL franchise has announced that the award-winning sportswriter will contribute to REDBLACKS content throughout the 2026 season, adding a familiar and respected voice to the team's growing media presence.
A Legend of Ottawa Sports Journalism
Baines spent decades at the Ottawa Sun covering the city's sports landscape — from the original Ottawa Rough Riders to the rebirth of the franchise as the REDBLACKS in 2014. His writing earned him multiple awards and the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike. Few journalists know Ottawa football as deeply as Baines does, making this partnership a natural fit.
For longtime CFL watchers in the capital, seeing Baines back in the press box — this time on the content side — will feel like a homecoming.
What It Means for REDBLACKS Fans
The move signals the REDBLACKS' continued investment in storytelling and fan engagement beyond game-day broadcasts. With Baines contributing features, profiles, and analysis, supporters can expect the kind of richly contextual coverage that only comes from someone who has watched Ottawa football evolve over generations.
Whether it's deep dives into player development, historical retrospectives, or behind-the-scenes locker room access, Baines brings the credibility and connections to deliver content that resonates with the Ottawa fanbase.
A Big Season Ahead at TD Place
The 2026 CFL season is shaping up to be an important one for the REDBLACKS as the team looks to build on recent momentum and compete in the East Division. Having a trusted voice helping tell the team's story — both to loyal season ticket holders and to newer fans discovering the CFL — adds real value to the franchise's off-field operation.
TD Place and the REDBLACKS have worked hard in recent years to deepen community ties and grow their audience in Ottawa. Partnering with a sportswriter of Baines' stature is a smart step in that direction.
Ottawa Football, Well Told
There's something fitting about a writer who chronicled so much of Ottawa's football history now getting to help write the next chapter from the inside. For fans who grew up reading Baines in the Sun, his contributions to REDBLACKS content will carry the weight of authenticity that only decades of local beat reporting can provide.
Expect his byline to show up across REDBLACKS digital and editorial platforms as the season kicks off.
Source: Ottawa REDBLACKS official announcement via Google News
