Re: the owners walking away/shutting down the CFL/starting another league. Not going to happen.
I imagine that TSN would be a little bit furious about any of those options, I smell plenty of lawyers involved.
CFL/CFLPA Labour Negotiations -- Deal reached
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TheLionKing
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I agree that it's not going to happen. All this gloom and doom. Both sides will come to their senses and settle.Hawkballer 14 wrote:Re: the owners walking away/shutting down the CFL/starting another league. Not going to happen.
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TheLionKing
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- Location: Vancouver
TORONTO - With the current Canadian Football League collective bargaining agreement set to expire in mere hours, talks between the league and the Players Association stretched over 12 hours Wednesday in hopes of reaching a new deal.
Although neither side overtly stated any progress in negotiations, commissioner Mark Cohon told the media talks will resume Thursday at 9am ET.
"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 current deal between the league and the union expires Thursday at midnight. A long day of talks can be interpreted as an encouraging sign after so much acrimony and frustration played out publicly when discussions broke down last week.
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.
Cohon didn't answer questions from the media. The union didn't make any public statements.
Last week, the league quickly broke off scheduled talks with the union before making its proposal to the player's public.
The league's recently published proposal included a nine per cent increase to the current salary cap, taking it from $4.4 million to $4.8 million, along with a yearly $50,000 increase for five years (putting the cap at $5,050,000 at the end of a new deal).
The players published proposal included a $6.24 million initial salary cap, constructed primarily through a revenue-sharing model that would give the players 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio right, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue.
The league's representatives insisted then any revenue-sharing model the players requested would be bad for the CFL.
"In fact, (a revenue-sharing model) would threaten the very existence of the CFL," Cohon said in a statement to players and fans.
The only work stoppage in CFL history occurred in 1974, when three weeks of training camp were lost before a new agreement was signed and the regular season schedule started unaffected.
Although neither side overtly stated any progress in negotiations, commissioner Mark Cohon told the media talks will resume Thursday at 9am ET.
"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 current deal between the league and the union expires Thursday at midnight. A long day of talks can be interpreted as an encouraging sign after so much acrimony and frustration played out publicly when discussions broke down last week.
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.
Cohon didn't answer questions from the media. The union didn't make any public statements.
Last week, the league quickly broke off scheduled talks with the union before making its proposal to the player's public.
The league's recently published proposal included a nine per cent increase to the current salary cap, taking it from $4.4 million to $4.8 million, along with a yearly $50,000 increase for five years (putting the cap at $5,050,000 at the end of a new deal).
The players published proposal included a $6.24 million initial salary cap, constructed primarily through a revenue-sharing model that would give the players 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio right, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue.
The league's representatives insisted then any revenue-sharing model the players requested would be bad for the CFL.
"In fact, (a revenue-sharing model) would threaten the very existence of the CFL," Cohon said in a statement to players and fans.
The only work stoppage in CFL history occurred in 1974, when three weeks of training camp were lost before a new agreement was signed and the regular season schedule started unaffected.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 3h
Ok, settled in for another riveting, exciting day of CFL labour talks. Let the negotiating begin. #whereiseveryon?
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 29m
Entire CFL bargaining unit and mediator heading towards meeting room. #cfl CFLPA
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 10m
CFL bargaining unit has left meeting and headed upstairs. Did same at about this time yesterday then resumed bargaining seven hours later.
CFLPA reps walking in lobby asked if proposals exchanged. They smiled or commented about weather. Love collective bargaining. #cfl #cflpa
Ok, settled in for another riveting, exciting day of CFL labour talks. Let the negotiating begin. #whereiseveryon?
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 29m
Entire CFL bargaining unit and mediator heading towards meeting room. #cfl CFLPA
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 10m
CFL bargaining unit has left meeting and headed upstairs. Did same at about this time yesterday then resumed bargaining seven hours later.
CFLPA reps walking in lobby asked if proposals exchanged. They smiled or commented about weather. Love collective bargaining. #cfl #cflpa
Lloyd
The hour begins to grow nigh, the weather is a little damp as we speak.Shi Zi Mi wrote:Dan Ralph @danralphcp 3h
Ok, settled in for another riveting, exciting day of CFL labour talks. Let the negotiating begin. #whereiseveryon?
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 29m
Entire CFL bargaining unit and mediator heading towards meeting room. #cfl CFLPA
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 10m
CFL bargaining unit has left meeting and headed upstairs. Did same at about this time yesterday then resumed bargaining seven hours later.
CFLPA reps walking in lobby asked if proposals exchanged. They smiled or commented about weather. Love collective bargaining. #cfl #cflpa
Entertainment value = an all time low
The two sides seem to be talking the same language now, without the revenue sharing roadblock. It's just a matter of settling on a cap number, likely around $5.4 million.B.C.FAN wrote:Arash Madani @ArashMadani
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.
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti
#CFLPA took revenue-sharing off table,in place is this "revenue protection clause" In this offer $5.8M cap ($4.8m min) increase 3% annually
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 42m
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.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 40m
CFL talks break down, CFLPA announces.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 42m
Scott Flory just told the media in a Toronto airport hotel that the #CFL rejected the latest player offer ($5.8 mil cap, 3% annual increase)
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 38m
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.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 36m
CFLPA proposed a "revenue protection clause" allowing a 2-year fixed cap, then if revenues increase, CBA gets re-negotiated. #CFL rejected.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 36m
CFLPA president Scott Flory outlined union's proposal which he says league turned down. CFL bargaining unit left meetings without a word.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 35m
On player safety, CFLPA wants one practice a week in pads (#CFL offer is 28/year). Players insisting on independent neurologist on sideline.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 34m
CFLPA is "also maintaining our position on the elimination of the option year EXCEPT on new players to the #CFL." League expressed concerns.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 33m
CFL unit said to be meeting on its own now but no indication of if coming back the table
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 32m
Just checked in with a #CFL front office executive on talks breaking down with the CFLPA. His reply? "Insanity."
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 28m
The CFLPA was compiling, and tabulating, all the strike votes on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. CBA expires in less than 10 hours. #CFL
The #CFL has not yet responded to the CFLPA going public with the news that talks have broken down. Both sides are not meeting presently.
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.
BREAKING: Memos are being sent from team reps to #CFL players to expect a strike.
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 34m
#CFLPA took revenue-sharing off table,in place is this "revenue protection clause" In this offer $5.8M cap ($4.8m min) increase 3% annually
#CFLPA source says #CFL said "No" to new offer.League says itll go direct to players,like last wk"Trying to ambush us like again"says source
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 22m
From a #CFL player rep: "The coaches are all getting paid. The players aren't. Real nice."
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 17m
Will #CFL camps start on time? "Yet to be determined" says Scott Flory. #CFLPA will remain at the Sheraton for a little while.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 14m
BREAKING: Excerpt from CFLPA internal memo: "After we are legally allowed to conduct the vote in Alberta, we will all strike together." #CFL
1/2 Flory memo to #CFL players: "We will be banding together & logistically we will find a solution for all of our members, this may include
2/2 Flory memo to #CFL players: "leaning on veterans, alumni & friends of the PA for billeting our players that do not have a place to stay"
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 13m
#CFLPA source says players will be told to attend training camp "in good faith" until the union reviews all its options. #CFL
Drew Edwards @scratchingpost 7m
#CFLPA rep and former #Ticats OL @marwanhage: "It's two steps forward, ten steps backward." #CFL
CFLPA @marwanhage “So far we have instructed our players to show up for training camp as a gesture of good faith until we advise otherwise”
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 8m
Told that @canadiancommish going to speak about breakdown of talks with CFLPA. #cfl #cflpa
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 4m
My read: #CFL players will report Sunday as scheduled. Because Alberta strike vote can't happen until Monday, work stoppage occurs next week
Final line from CFLPA internal memo sent by Scott Flory to membership: "We assure you we will take care of our own." #CFL
Alberta labour laws require a 72-hour strike notice (at conclusion of CBA). Thus, #CFL players could not strike until after camps open there
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.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 40m
CFL talks break down, CFLPA announces.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 42m
Scott Flory just told the media in a Toronto airport hotel that the #CFL rejected the latest player offer ($5.8 mil cap, 3% annual increase)
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 38m
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.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 36m
CFLPA proposed a "revenue protection clause" allowing a 2-year fixed cap, then if revenues increase, CBA gets re-negotiated. #CFL rejected.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 36m
CFLPA president Scott Flory outlined union's proposal which he says league turned down. CFL bargaining unit left meetings without a word.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 35m
On player safety, CFLPA wants one practice a week in pads (#CFL offer is 28/year). Players insisting on independent neurologist on sideline.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 34m
CFLPA is "also maintaining our position on the elimination of the option year EXCEPT on new players to the #CFL." League expressed concerns.
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 33m
CFL unit said to be meeting on its own now but no indication of if coming back the table
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 32m
Just checked in with a #CFL front office executive on talks breaking down with the CFLPA. His reply? "Insanity."
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 28m
The CFLPA was compiling, and tabulating, all the strike votes on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. CBA expires in less than 10 hours. #CFL
The #CFL has not yet responded to the CFLPA going public with the news that talks have broken down. Both sides are not meeting presently.
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.
BREAKING: Memos are being sent from team reps to #CFL players to expect a strike.
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 34m
#CFLPA took revenue-sharing off table,in place is this "revenue protection clause" In this offer $5.8M cap ($4.8m min) increase 3% annually
#CFLPA source says #CFL said "No" to new offer.League says itll go direct to players,like last wk"Trying to ambush us like again"says source
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 22m
From a #CFL player rep: "The coaches are all getting paid. The players aren't. Real nice."
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 17m
Will #CFL camps start on time? "Yet to be determined" says Scott Flory. #CFLPA will remain at the Sheraton for a little while.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 14m
BREAKING: Excerpt from CFLPA internal memo: "After we are legally allowed to conduct the vote in Alberta, we will all strike together." #CFL
1/2 Flory memo to #CFL players: "We will be banding together & logistically we will find a solution for all of our members, this may include
2/2 Flory memo to #CFL players: "leaning on veterans, alumni & friends of the PA for billeting our players that do not have a place to stay"
Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti 13m
#CFLPA source says players will be told to attend training camp "in good faith" until the union reviews all its options. #CFL
Drew Edwards @scratchingpost 7m
#CFLPA rep and former #Ticats OL @marwanhage: "It's two steps forward, ten steps backward." #CFL
CFLPA @marwanhage “So far we have instructed our players to show up for training camp as a gesture of good faith until we advise otherwise”
Dan Ralph @danralphcp 8m
Told that @canadiancommish going to speak about breakdown of talks with CFLPA. #cfl #cflpa
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 4m
My read: #CFL players will report Sunday as scheduled. Because Alberta strike vote can't happen until Monday, work stoppage occurs next week
Final line from CFLPA internal memo sent by Scott Flory to membership: "We assure you we will take care of our own." #CFL
Alberta labour laws require a 72-hour strike notice (at conclusion of CBA). Thus, #CFL players could not strike until after camps open there
Lloyd
Mark Cohon
Commissioner, Canadian Football league
This afternoon, the Canadian Football League has sent its best offer for a new collective bargaining agreement directly to the players. Unfortunately, this best offer was rejected by the CFLPA executive committee this morning. We strongly believe it is a fair and equitable agreement for both parties. We want football. We want our season to start on time. But not at the cost of the unrealistic proposal put forward by the CFLPA. We do hope the CFLPA executive committee will put this offer to CFL players for a vote.
Commissioner, Canadian Football league
This afternoon, the Canadian Football League has sent its best offer for a new collective bargaining agreement directly to the players. Unfortunately, this best offer was rejected by the CFLPA executive committee this morning. We strongly believe it is a fair and equitable agreement for both parties. We want football. We want our season to start on time. But not at the cost of the unrealistic proposal put forward by the CFLPA. We do hope the CFLPA executive committee will put this offer to CFL players for a vote.
Lloyd
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 4m
#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.
Very, very little has changed from the #CFL proposal to the players from eight days ago. Average $5 mil cap last week. Now up to about $5.1.
Kirk Penton @PentonKirk 22m
Despite talks breaking down, at least players have moved on from revenue sharing. Good sign a deal is near. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
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. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
Cohon tells reporters that "it's our final and best offer to the players." (I believe the NHL said this 500 times in the last lockout). #CFL
#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.
Very, very little has changed from the #CFL proposal to the players from eight days ago. Average $5 mil cap last week. Now up to about $5.1.
Kirk Penton @PentonKirk 22m
Despite talks breaking down, at least players have moved on from revenue sharing. Good sign a deal is near. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
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. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
Cohon tells reporters that "it's our final and best offer to the players." (I believe the NHL said this 500 times in the last lockout). #CFL
Lloyd
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WestCoastJoe
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- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 8:55 pm
Uh oh ... Not even close.
Owners have their line in the sand.
Players are pushing hard. Not sure if this is bluff by the players. I will be very surprised if they strike. Very surprised.
If there is a strike, I would expect the owners to hang tough, not ready to budge much beyond what they have offered.
Unless this is bluffing behaviour, it would seem we are much farther from a settlement than it seemed even yesterday.
Great updates, SZM.
Owners have their line in the sand.
Players are pushing hard. Not sure if this is bluff by the players. I will be very surprised if they strike. Very surprised.
If there is a strike, I would expect the owners to hang tough, not ready to budge much beyond what they have offered.
Unless this is bluffing behaviour, it would seem we are much farther from a settlement than it seemed even yesterday.
Revenue sharing was a non starter. Since the players have moved away from that, it might be a sign that their hard stance at this time is a posture.Shi Zi Mi wrote:Arash Madani @ArashMadani 4m
Despite talks breaking down, at least players have moved on from revenue sharing. Good sign a deal is near. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
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. #CFL
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 1m
Cohon tells reporters that "it's our final and best offer to the players." (I believe the NHL said this 500 times in the last lockout). #CFL
Great updates, SZM.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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DanoT
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Great up grades X2
A $5000 signing bonus is pretty attractive and would cost each team over $200K. The CFL didn't increase the other stuff that much, but I think that they are close to a deal.
A $5000 signing bonus is pretty attractive and would cost each team over $200K. The CFL didn't increase the other stuff that much, but I think that they are close to a deal.
Arash Madani @ArashMadani 2m
Flory said the #CFL told the CFLPA on Thursday afternoon that "we were done for the day."
Bang. RT @JasonAMT: @CFLMikeCopeland your PR bullying tactics are embarrassing, and unprofessional. We stand United as a union. #CFL #CFLPA
Flory said the #CFL told the CFLPA on Thursday afternoon that "we were done for the day."
Bang. RT @JasonAMT: @CFLMikeCopeland your PR bullying tactics are embarrassing, and unprofessional. We stand United as a union. #CFL #CFLPA
Lloyd
I felt the biggest road block in all of this was the revenue sharing. If the CFLPA has moved on from that I feel the rest will all fall into place fairly quickly. The NHL was able to hammer out a deal over a couple of nights once they were all on the same page and had a framework for a deal. That league is a monster compared to the CFL. I imagine the CFL and CFLPA could have a working deal in place in a matter of hrs once both side get on the same page and have a working framework.
I think it's getting close but we're still seeing negotiation tactics and gamesmanship on both sides. I expect once there is no time left on the clock that both sides will stop screwing around and will get a deal done. I know the players can't afford to go all summer with out an income and the owners know that any lengthy work stoppage would be detrimental to the league. A deal will get done. We just have to weather the ego storm.
I think it's getting close but we're still seeing negotiation tactics and gamesmanship on both sides. I expect once there is no time left on the clock that both sides will stop screwing around and will get a deal done. I know the players can't afford to go all summer with out an income and the owners know that any lengthy work stoppage would be detrimental to the league. A deal will get done. We just have to weather the ego storm.
Lloyd