"We will play CFL football in 2021.
Is that a promise? Would they put money on that?
"I say 'target date' because our plans are subject to the state of COVID-19 across the country. A so-called 'third wave' in some provinces is forcing us today to postpone the start of our regular season, which had been scheduled for June 10.
Well, that's it then. CFL is toast. If they are waiting for the "all clear for 5 months" from the govt in most major cities they will wait for many more years, at minimum.
"So, what must be in place for us to kick off on August 5? Two things. 1. The approval of public health officials across the country of our plans for protecting the health of our players, coaches, and ultimately our fans, so a 2021 season is safe. 2. Permission from governments to host a significant number of fans in the stands, in a significant number of venues at the start of the season, and in the rest of our venues soon after that, so a 2021 season is financially tenable for our clubs.
I appreciate their honesty, candor and tying it to concrete requirements. I also appreciate them finally admitting that a no-fan option is impossible so we can all forget it. But what they just laid out will not come to pass in 2021: not in June, not in Aug, not in Oct. They are repeating the playbook from 2020: "in another 2 months" to rhyme with the gov'ts eternal "just 2 more weeks to flatten the curve".
The best time to "play with covid" is in the middle of summer in the heat of day with the sun shining down. Come the fall it'll be back to Oct 2020 all over again.
"We are prepared to be creative as well as prudent. For example, if we are unable to host fans in the East because of COVID-19, we are prepared to start play in the West, provided eastern teams can return to their home provinces, and play in front of their fans, later in the season.
I appreciate the creativity and it's a good idea, but that is assuming most of Canada will be OK, with just 1 or 2 hotspot cities. Not going to happen.
"The bottom line is we are optimistic we will have a season in 2021, culminating in a great Grey Cup.
Wait, just above they said "we will play football". Which is it, "will" or "optimistic". Can't be both. The put out a pretty good, honest, press release, then blow it with contradictions. Guess they aren't prepared to just bum us all out with the truth.
Can't wait to see the oncoming exodus of players...
I'll bet $20 to anyone here 2 to 1 we won't play by Aug 5. I'll bet anyone 1 to 1 we don't play any real games (for standing) at all in 2021. And since we all know CFL won't survive a lost 2021, I guess this forum will have to turn into a general-Winnipeg forum, or where us old-timers can forever reminisce about the 2019 golden final CFL season. Sad.