2014 CFL Offseason Thread

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I thought Glen Suitor had an excellent article about the situation

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/glen_suitor/?id=452691

Secondly, to the players' association. Let's not get obsessive about revenue sharing; if you can see that the offer, and increase in the cap, shows that the league is making the players the priority, get the deal signed. I understand you are playing the "so many players sacrificed in the past so now it is time to draw a line in the sand" card, however, as one of those players that back years ago took over a thirty per cent pay cut on a signed contract, I can tell you going on strike would in no way honour those players. Back then we never thought we would take pay cuts so that future players could shut the league down, and in doing so put it in jeopardy. In fact it was just the opposite. We put the game first back then, and wanted to avoid any chance of a work stoppage. So if you want to be a voice for the players of the past that sacrificed, then make sure the league kicks off on time.

He goes on to say that the owners, Braley in particular, deserve an oppportunity to recoup some of the millions of dollars that they lost trying to keep the league alive.

Personally, I think it is too early for any serious revenue sharing. Build it into the CBA that in 3 years if the league has grown their revenues each season that it then gets implemented.

[Hockeyguy15]

I can't stand Glen Suitor at all but he does make a few good points.

[Fire]

The players see the big increase in TV revenue but they ignore the fact that some teams still lose money. They can't expect the salary cap to go up the same percentage as the TV money. Wouldn't it be great if all teams were making a profit?

[Drake]

Seriously? Scott Flory with possibly the dumbest comment I have heard in a quite some time, 'Its not about the money".

[OzSome]

I don't like this one bit. It looks like we might not see CFL in action this season. I guess I have never been a union fan but I can see what the players are complaining about. It sucks but as a fan there is nothing we can do. Like I said before, both sides are making a mistake. They will lose some fans because of this strike.

[Cheese]

we will see the CFL and we will see it on time. We might only see one exhibition game though.

[Drake]

Scott Flory was on Bob McCown this afternoon. He said they (CFLPA) were invited to negotiate today, and to be ready to stay until Thursday. They (CFLPA) show up, the CFL negotiator reads a statement, walks out after 5 minutes and the league posts their open letter on CFL.ca minutes later.

[Drake]

Labour talks between CFL & CFLPA to resume Wednesday.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cf...sday-1.2653814

[Kjesse]

I haven't followed this as closely as I'd like, in part because it never seems to hit the news unless you look for it, but this is a rare time where I'm fully on side of the union. The players deserve a much better deal and make a journeyman's wage or less, absent a few superstars, while putting their long term health at serious risk.

The league had better start to talk turkey. It looks to me like they're just holding to their position trying to wait the players out-- not dissimilar to how the NHL behaved. I hope the players dig in, its time to give the league a dose of their own medicine. They should hold tight until there is a significant move from the league which results in greatly improved player salaries.

[Pagal4321]

Haven't the owners essentially been keeping the CFL afloat by pumping more cash into the league over the past 10 years?

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Delgar

I haven't followed this as closely as I'd like, in part because it never seems to hit the news unless you look for it, but this is a rare time where I'm fully on side of the union. The players deserve a much better deal and make a journeyman's wage or less, absent a few superstars, while putting their long term health at serious risk.

The league had better start to talk turkey. It looks to me like they're just holding to their position trying to wait the players out-- not dissimilar to how the NHL behaved. I hope the players dig in, its time to give the league a dose of their own medicine. They should hold tight until there is a significant move from the league which results in greatly improved player salaries.

Deserve? What does deserve mean? Negotiation are never about what anyone deserves. Besides ask 100 people what someone deserves and you'll get 100 different answers.

If the players have the leverage they'll get something. If they don't then they won't.

I don't know what a fair deal is, however one thing I'm pretty sure of is that in smaller league, fixed costs are a higher percentage so the risk of revenue sharing is way higher. Just because billion Dollery leagues have it, doesn't mean the cfl should.

[Drake]

@ArashMadani:

#CFLPA strike votes are being counted today & tomorrow. Indicators still point to a 2014 labour stoppage in the #CFL.

Also from Arash Madani.... looks like it will be another short meeting tomorrow.

“There is zero chance the owners agree to revenue sharing. Zero. No way,” said the governor, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“Players have absolutely no clue on the business of the league,” added the governor.

CFLPA president Scott Flory said his members aren’t planning to change their position any time soon.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl...venue-sharing/

[MissTeeks]

“@ArashMadani: From a source close to today's #CFL and CFLPA meetings: "Going better than expected and making progress." But nothing of real substance yet.”

“@garylawless: word is #cfl in one room working on a proposal or a response while #cflpa are in another doing same. will join up later. could go late”

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I'm fully on the side of the owners here. They deserve to earn back some of their lost millions while they kept the league alive. The players are welcome to go play football elsewhere if they don't think they're getting treated fair (the CFL is the second highest paying football league in the world, by a huuuuuuuuge margin).

[Drake]

"It's been a long day of meetings and we'll resume tomorrow," Cohon said shortly after 10pm ET. "And that's a good thing."

The league and union initially met around 10am ET, and the day was a steady stream of comings and goings. The league's representative, including Cohon, chief operation officer Michael Copeland, Saskatchewan Roughriders president Jim Hopson, Calgary Stampeders president Ken King, and CFL legal counsel Steve Shamie, left the meeting room a couple times before noon.

"We're still talking," is all Cohon said then.

"We're working hard," Hopson said. When asked later to give a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on how discussions were going, Hopson placed his bag on the ground and gave both.

The players, including union president Scott Flory, vice-presidents Marwan Hage and Jeff Keeping, treasurer Brian Ramsay and legal counsel Ed Molstad, remained in nearby meeting rooms for much of the day, breaking for dinner around 6pm ET.

Keeping, an offensive lineman with the Toronto Argonauts, said the players weren't considering any new proposal around dinnertime, but did expect to meet with the CFL by the end of the day. Molstad confirmed a "conciliation officer" was present to assist with negotiations throughout Wednesday.

At 7:30pm ET, the league's representatives returned to the meeting room to resume discussions with the union. The two sides met for about an hour before the league left once again.

"Going upstairs [to the league's room in the hotel] to talk," Cohon said at the time. Shamie and the mediator walked into the meeting room used by both parties at 9:45pm ET. Shamie later emerged and said the league and players were "still talking."

When asked if the two sides were any closer, the mediator just smiled and continued walking.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453365

[Drake]

@garylawless:

"A proposal has been tabled. Can't tell you from which side. They're chewing on that." via @TSN1290Radio #CFL #CFLPA

[MissTeeks]

Arash Madani‏@ArashMadani42 secs

BREAKING: CFLPA presented an offer with a $5.8 million cap, which increases by 3% each year. The #CFL rejected the offer. Per Kyle Bukaskus.

[MissTeeks]

Matthew Scianitti‏@TSNScianitti47 secs

Talks have broken down between #CFL & #CFLPA. Players offered a new proposal around 11:30am. League reviewed & walked out.

[MissTeeks]

Arash Madani‏@ArashMadani3 mins

BREAKING: Memos are being sent from team reps to #CFL players to expect a strike.

[Drake]

@ArashMadani:

CFLPA proposed a "revenue protection clause" allowing a 2-year fixed cap, then if revenues increase, CBA gets re-negotiated. #CFL rejected.

Just checked in with a #CFL front office executive on talks breaking down with the CFLPA. His reply? "Insanity."

Per a #CFL source: "They're not even close." So that's where we are, with the CBA expiring at midnight and camps scheduled to open Sunday.