2014 CFL Offseason Thread

[MissTeeks]

The PA offered a new deal yesterday and the league rejected it right away.

David William Naylor‏@TSNDaveNaylor10 mins

According to a source, strike votes have been counted on 7 of the 9 CFL teams. 98 per cent in favour of a strike. #cfl #CFLPA

[Erick Estrada]

Not too worried. Neither the players or the owners can afford a prolonged stoppage. They start cancelling games and fans will simply plan their holidays without having to worry about planning around games.

[Fire]

I would still be surprised if they miss any regular season games. I can see them missing one pre-season game.

[MissTeeks]

“@SUNMitchell: With Alberta strike vote looming, two sources tell me #CFL and CFLPA are doing some late-afternoon negotiating today.”

[MissTeeks]

“@TSNScianitti: Positive news on #CFL #CFLPA talks: There were discussions Friday & talks did not break off. Strike votes will still take place, but...hope?”

[OzSome]

I don't see anything good happening if there is a CFL stoppage this season. I can see the PA's asking for more shares because they are one of lowest paid professional players in North America but at the same time the league is not making much money in the past few seasons. Take out the TV deal and probably some of the CFL teams will not make any revenues. This league have a tough time attracting fans because they are competing with people going on their summer vacations, major league baseball(i know TO is the only city with baseball team but Canadians still follow them no matter how bad they are) then they have to compete with the NFL later on.
I really think this is the time to attract more fans with new stadiums in both Winnipeg and Hamilton plus an expansion team Ottawa.
So, i am hoping both the league and the CFLPA members realize that it is important for them NOT to miss any games this season.

[MissTeeks]

“@SUNMitchell: Not shocking, but source says Stamps strike vote was close to 100% in favour of walking. Voting ended in van down by river an hour ago #CFL”

[MissTeeks]

Hot damn:

“@TSNScianitti: After a conference call #CFLPA has verbally agreed to terms on a tentative deal for a new CBA w the #CFL, pending ratification by players”

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Are you ready for some football!!!!!!!!!

#thisisourleague

[MissTeeks]

“@ArashMadani: A #CFL source tells me the tentative agreement has a cap of $5 mil in 2014; $5.05 mil in 2015. "Very disappointing for us," said a player.”

[OzSome]

Good news!!! I am sure both parties realized that losing games will not benefit both parties. I can't wait to see CFL games. Let's play some real football!!

[MissTeeks]

“@TSNScianitti: What we know: #CFL call pushed four hours. It was acrimonious. The cap was contentious. Non-financial were key to getting this moving.”

“@ArashMadani: A #CFL player just texted he's "furious" with the cap number the league and PA agreed to. Oh boy.”

“@TSNScianitti: A league source says the #CFL board of governors will vote to ratify tentative agreement "As soon as possible"”

“@TSNScianitti: What we know: B4 the lengthy conference call a CBA term of 4, 5 & 5+1 were discussed. The salary cap $5million, increased 50K a season”

“@TSNScianitti: What we know: Before the conference cal, sources said The "Revenue Protection Clause" (threshold to reopen cap talks) set at $27mil”

“@TSNScianitti: Some key #CFLPA gains, b4 conference call: A ratification bonus $7.5K & $1.5K, with PA controlling bonus. 6+ yr vets could get 12K #CFL”

And:

“@jonnycornish: How it works in the 21st century: Unions are dead.”

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Lots of twitter reactions from players that are similar to Cornish's. Mo Price is pretty mad. Some players saying they just want to play and are glad they got a deal done.

[MissTeeks]

“@Newstalkstamps: Veteran @calstampeders SB Nik Lewis not happy with new deal. Intends to vote against ratification”

[Stay Golden]

Selfishly as a fan I really don't care if players are not happy with the deal.
What other league can 90 % of the players play in. They likely deep down realize that.
They have a higher salary cap then they did last year so that is what they have to look at. Not by much but still.

[PeteLFan]

Not sure what he is upset about. You're being paid will to play a game. You don't work 12 months and by the looks of his recent pictures off season training seems like it's a regiment of wings and vodka.

I like Lewis but when players speak it really turns people against them.

[OzSome]

Well it doesn't look like this mess is done yet. Some players are very unhappy with the tentative deal and claim they will vote against it. Some Stamps players thinks it is a joke.

[CaptainCrunch]

This ratification vote will be very close, there are a lot of angry players out there, but I think it will pass, there are too many players in football that can't save their money and need the paycheck, plus careers in the CFL are very short.

at the end of the day, while it sounds greedy, the league overall has been losing money for probably nearly 40 years, of course they're going to be cautious with change with their first big tv deal.

[MissTeeks]

Ricky Foley‏@Foley4Real9 mins

I am voting YES to accept the deal & NOT strike...cause we've been backed in2 a corner & I have no confidence in our execs or legal counsel

[Da_Chief]

Thats pretty much all of them will do. Steady pay checks are always nicer then no pay checks.