2014 CFL Offseason Thread

[Drake]

@TSNScianitti:

#CFLPA source says players will be told to attend training camp "in good faith" until the union reviews all its options. #CFL

[Kjesse]

The revenue protection clause was a dumb proposal, it just puts them back in negotiations and potential strike action in 2 years.

The players have signaled they're going to cave, by saying they'll still go to training camp.

The league is playing hard ball and the union appears weak.

[Swayze11]

Who's side are you guys on?

At first I was 100% on the players side but reading a few tweets from players is making it hard to be on their side. The players want a 1 time 15k bonus for all vets, yet they say they are thinking about future players in this league.

[Drake]

@ArashMadani:

CFLPA proposal to the #CFL was a $4.8 million floor/$5.8 million cap, with a 3% annual increase and a $15k one-time bonus to vets. Rejected.

[Drake]

Ricky Foley @Foley4Real:

The amount of compromise the players are making right now in meetings is not being matched by the owners...Fans need 2know this #Riders

The owners main issue was they didn't want Revenue Sharing...We have agreed 4the good of the league to essentially take it off the table

If owners would just compromise as much from their 1st offer as the players have done this morning in meetings a deal would be done #Riders

[Drake]

Jason Pottinger tweet tells the degeneration that is happening.

@JasonAMT: @CFLMikeCopeland your PR bullying tactics are embarrassing, and unprofessional. We stand United as a union. #CFL #CFLPA

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Who's side are you guys on?

At first I was 100% on the players side but reading a few tweets from players is making it hard to be on their side. The players want a 1 time 15k bonus for all vets, yet they say they are thinking about future players in this league.

Hard to find details on what each side has offered but it seems like the owners are getting a whole lot of new revenue and giving the players a pittance.

[PeteLFan]

Hard to side with the players when they are crying foul over getting a bonus to come back and play, and on top of that they are requesting more?

Its not like the CFL is rolling in money, and its hard to side with the players when Keon Raymond is crying about making 44K a year and saying he had to get a part-time job because it wasn't enought. Newflash buddy, a lot of people make 44K a year and work the FULL year not half a year to play a GAME.

Then he said the 3000 offered was a slap in the face, and wouldn't even cover a mortgage payment. What kind of house is he living in?

[Drake]

From Arash Madani on the newest offers as of today.

CFL Offer:
#CFL offer to players: $5 million cap in 2014. Increases $50k per year to $5.25 million. Proposes min salary be $50k in yr 1 to $55 in yr 5.

Cohon also offering vet players a $5,000 bonus and rookies a $1,500 bonus (if they're on the roster Week 1) if they agree by June 2

CFLPA Offer:
CFLPA proposal to the #CFL was a $4.8 million floor/$5.8 million cap, with a 3% annual increase and a $15k one-time bonus to vets. Rejected.

So about $800,000 apart and about 2% apart on the annual increase for the biggest cheese.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Drake

From Arash Madani on the newest offers as of today.

CFL Offer:
#CFL offer to players: $5 million cap in 2014. Increases $50k per year to $5.25 million. Proposes min salary be $50k in yr 1 to $55 in yr 5.

Cohon also offering vet players a $5,000 bonus and rookies a $1,500 bonus (if they're on the roster Week 1) if they agree by June 2

CFLPA Offer:
CFLPA proposal to the #CFL was a $4.8 million floor/$5.8 million cap, with a 3% annual increase and a $15k one-time bonus to vets. Rejected.

So about $800,000 apart and about 2% apart on the annual increase for the biggest cheese.

This bonus thing is pointless and makes the players look stupid. Think long term, not short term.

[OzSome]

I am never been a fan of any union but that's my preference.

Anyways, I have to side with the owners here. I've seen this league struggled so much awhile ago. They can't even get a good TV contract, some stadiums are not filling up and the owners either stayed with the team or just bailed out. In the past few seasons, the league is starting to recover with good TV contracts but some teams are still struggling to attract some fans because they would rather cheer for an NFL team than cheer for their home team. You would think big cities like Toronto, Montreal and even Vancouver can fill up their stadiums every game but no. Even a competitive team Stampeders have troubles filling up the stadium when they play teams other than the Riders. I think the CFLPA sees the TV revenues and they thinks every team are making so much money.
I hate to say this but I think CFLPA will strike before the training camp ends. I love the CFL and I hate that they waste some games or the whole season this year. It will be suck but what can the fans do.

[Swayze11]

Arash Madani @ArashMadani
The #CFL just sent out a memo claiming that their own CBA proposal would lead to three of nine teams losing money. Rhetoric continues.


Arash Madani @ArashMadani
In 2012, Cohon said 6 of 8 #CFL teams were in the black. With $27.5 NEW million ( players get $7.2m) league now says 3 teams will lose cash.

[MissTeeks]

News Talk 770 Stamps‏@Newstalkstamps21 secs

As per @630CHED, @CFLPA has applied for a June 7 strike vote with the Alberta Labour Relations Board. Would impact Stamps and Eskimos.

[MissTeeks]

“@FarhanLaljiTSN: Its expected that @geroysimon, the all-time leading reciever in #CFL, will retire as a Rider. Formal announcement expected later this week”

[OzSome]

Toronto Argonauts RB Chad Kackert retired due to injury. He will stay with the Argos' organization as a Strength and Condition Coach though.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453677

[troutman]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Hard to side with the players when they are crying foul over getting a bonus to come back and play, and on top of that they are requesting more?

Its not like the CFL is rolling in money, and its hard to side with the players when Keon Raymond is crying about making 44K a year and saying he had to get a part-time job because it wasn't enought. Newflash buddy, a lot of people make 44K a year and work the FULL year not half a year to play a GAME.

Then he said the 3000 offered was a slap in the face, and wouldn't even cover a mortgage payment. What kind of house is he living in?

I understand what you are saying, but football is a short and dangerous career move.

[Fire]

I don't mind the bonuses being requested by the players because the league have the extra revenue starting this season, but the players can't take advantage of it because they all have signed contracts already. The problem is that they are asking for too much.

[Drake]

MASSIVE move by Hamilton signing Ted Laurent this afternoon and getting Craig Butler in free agency earlier this year as well. That Hamilton D is looking better and better every day, especially at NI. On the other side what a massive blow to Edmonton. Their NI outside of their receivers is not very good. Methinks injuries at NI could bite them in the ass if they get hit with the injury bug.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by troutman

I understand what you are saying, but football is a short and dangerous career move.

so find something else then, nobody is forcing theses guys to play football for a living

[Da_Chief]

Hamilton is always signing these top players. Good for them I guess, they added a really good player in Laurent.