Football

On his 35th birthday, Jim Speros gave Baltimore a long-awaited gift--a pro football team.

Canadian Football League Commissioner Larry Smith on Thursday formally introduced Baltimore as the league’s 11th franchise. Speros, who worked nearly a year to land the team, finally saw his effort reach fruition in a ceremony attended by Smith, several CFL team owners and two of the league’s biggest names, quarterbacks David Archer and Doug Flutie.

The team, which cost Speros $3 million, will begin its training camp under Coach Don Matthews in June and open its inaugural season in July.

Smith said the league hopes to add another team from the United States in time for the 1994 season and ultimately expects the league to have two divisions--one consisting of teams from the United States and another of teams from Canada. The league has three U.S. franchises--Sacramento, Las Vegas and Baltimore.

Officials in Baltimore are still trying to lure an NFL franchise and have spoken with the Raiders and Rams, among others.