CBA negotiations

[bluengold204]

I definitely wouldn't watch if there were relacement players.

I would

[Waffler]

Why not? Everyone has to start someplace.
Relatively speaking, they would likely be smaller faster more exciting guys.  CIS players have the same skills in most cases as Div 3 players from the states.
Make it four downs on the wide field
 A chance for revolutionary new ideas and if it fails, blame it on the Canadian players.

IF it fails?  you would draw in the hundreds. no more.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I definitely wouldn't watch if there were relacement players.

Hypothetically speaking, you wouldn't watch if the Canadian players didn't play but the Americans did?

[DM83]

Well, I am sure yokels in Manitoba and Sask would watch.
Losers in Toronto would still get their 2000 people
Montreal would.  Just staff the team with names that sound French.
Edm and Calg already have Canadians at QB, as does Vanc
Hamilton has the entire Western section of Ontario.

If Toronto is allowed to participate with their 4000 people attending, then expand to The Maritimes, Quebec city,  Windsor, and Saskatoon.
Remember this ain't the 80's.  Toronto is allowed to participate with nowhere near the proper economic base, the above cities could draw at least that amount.  Additionally, some of those cities have major resources/industries where the company could own the franchise., and cover the costs.

Just do it!

Who can identify the mjor company in those towns?

[gordo]

For a league that is constantly teetering on financial collapse and fighting a never-ending battle to attract a dedicated fan base, the situation they now find themselves in is ridiculous.  Randy Amrosie and his crew needs to consider the big picture of league survival and do whatever it takes to settle this now.  Even losing pre-season games is a huge blow. 

This is not the NFL or any other league that can afford to piss away games and fans with a protracted negotiation. 

And at this point, still no word on Friday's game.  I'm assuming it's cancelled if the Elks aren't flying yet.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

For a league that is constantly teetering on financial collapse and fighting a never-ending battle to attract a dedicated fan base, the situation they now find themselves in is ridiculous.  Randy Amrosie and his crew needs to consider the big picture of league survival and do whatever it takes to settle this now.  Even losing pre-season games is a huge blow. 

This is not the NFL or any other league that can afford to piss away games and fans with a protracted negotiation. 

And at this point, still no word on Friday's game.  I'm assuming it's cancelled if the Elks aren't flying yet.

That assumption isn't correct, yet. The Argos also have a pre-season game tomorrow and they released a statement they aren't flying today but would fly day-of should there be a game. I imagine Edmonton would take the same approach. The league imposed deadline was set to tonight at 11:00 pm CST so they knew it would come down to the wire.

[Blue In BC]

Hypothetically speaking, you wouldn't watch if the Canadian players didn't play but the Americans did?

It's a tough call but I support the players to the extent of not using replacements. To be clear, I'm not a pro union guy and I don't support their position. However, that's where I'd choose to draw the line. BTW, I've never heard of a union not putting forward an offer even if they expected it to not succeed. Take that 1st step and go from there.

Now if the league folds and a new start-up is created on a permanent kind of basis that would be different I suppose. Not preferable but if they don't come to an agreement soon, things look dark.

Going back to my earlier comment about roster reduction. It's not that long ago that rosters were trimmed somewhat after the 1st exhibition game. So I'm just reverting to that plan if no exhibition games are played tomorrow, or at all. Get on with deciding the final roster with the hope of actually having a season start on June 9.

Now if there are no practices, that further suggests trimming now. Like I said, season is due to start June 9 in 2 weeks.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

@FarhanLaljiTSN
Im hearing the @CFL @CFLPA are still in discussions. There is a belief that there will be a vote today as it would be highly unlikely they strike without one. The way both sides have dug in on the current ratio proposal makes me wonder if the rolling ratio (49%) is back in play

@jeffkhamilton
Told there's been progress in the last while. Negotiations are ongoing, Adam Bighill has left Bombers walkthrough. Definitely a shift from this morning. Players seem confident we'll reach a vote at least. #wfp

@JohnDHodge
As @FarhanLaljiTSN  first reported, I've also heard the 49 percent ratio clause could be back in play under a new proposal. However, it sounds like it may only apply to two "nationalized Americans" instead of three as per the tentative agreement from last week.

[Blue In BC]

@FarhanLaljiTSN
Im hearing the @CFL @CFLPA are still in discussions. There is a belief that there will be a vote today as it would be highly unlikely they strike without one. The way both sides have dug in on the current ratio proposal makes me wonder if the rolling ratio (49%) is back in play

@jeffkhamilton
Told there's been progress in the last while. Negotiations are ongoing, Adam Bighill has left Bombers walkthrough. Definitely a shift from this morning. Players seem confident we'll reach a vote at least. #wfp

@JohnDHodge
As @FarhanLaljiTSN  first reported, I've also heard the 49 percent ratio clause could be back in play under a new proposal. However, it sounds like it may only apply to two "nationalized Americans" instead of three as per the tentative agreement from last week.

Re: The John Hodge comment.

I thought they got rid of all 3 in the last offer but kept the 1st one requiring starting him starting as an 8th Canadian. That never made sense anyway since it's a net zero change.

If they didn't like that, why would they go back to the 2 with a 49% playing time constraint.

Considering the Bombers probable roster we'd only have 1 import that would qualify in the 1st place. That would be Grant in theory. Moutada if he makes the roster won't qualify. The other 2 DI's probably are rookies.

If they want to change the ratio can't they just make it simple. Canadian starters 6, 1 additional import added to roster and 1 less Canadian.  None of this years with team or in the CFL with restricted playing time.

That's simple.

[Jesse]

Hypothetically speaking, you wouldn't watch if the Canadian players didn't play but the Americans did?

I'm not sure how that would work legally - so I don't think it's possible - but I get what you're saying/asking.

Like Blue in BC said, I would not support a league that would go around the players. I would boycott until a settlement was reached.

[bomb squad]

I support maintaining the Canadian content, but if the league has determined a slight reduction or tweak is better for the future of the league overall, then I support that as well. I trust they have done their research and in the end it is their business. I'm surprised that the players have as much say and leverage as they apparently do in the matter. I'm not sure they should.

[Blue In BC]

I'm not sure how that would work legally - so I don't think it's possible - but I get what you're saying/asking.

Like Blue in BC said, I would not support a league that would go around the players. I would boycott until a settlement was reached.

The problem is that you can't give the union all the cards either. The ownership group has to have some recourse as well. An arbitrator as we see in public and even private conflicts? Of course that should have been in place before it came down to this.

What if they union said we want 10 Canadian starters and that was their final position? They haven't done that but you see my point?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

It's really stupid that the ratio is part of the CBA at all. The rules of the game should be amendable by the league. The players have no say in where kickoffs start or where hashmarks are, even though it may affect their performance and therefore livelihood. The ratio rule is a big deal to the league because they think reducing it will help increase viewership. It makes no sense they get a voice at all in that aspect of it.

[CrazyCanuck89]

I support maintaining the Canadian content, but if the league has determined a slight reduction or tweak is better for the future of the league overall, then I support that as well. I trust they have done their research and in the end it is their business. I'm surprised that the players have as much say and leverage as they apparently do in the matter. I'm not sure they should.

A slight reduction allows the league to just reduce it more next time.  It's time Canadians stood up for Canadians, we let Mulroney screw us with NAFTA, we won't let the CFL, do it to Canadians.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

@CFL_News
"I feel there is going to be a deal done today. I feel there has to be a deal done today. So hopefully, the rest of the membership will be happy with it." - @chris_ackie

@TSNDaveNaylor
So with less than 10 hours before the start of the @CFL pre-season gets axed, I hope no one is still asking why the 2 sides couldn?t just sit down in January and get the CBA out of the way? #CFL #CFLPA
 

@CFL_News
"We've heard some of the terms. Not all the terms. But from what is said, guys understand they're not going to be 100% happy.  But, it's going to be good enough." -
@chris_ackie