From Cohon's letter ...
You may hear a lot in the media about revenue sharing. Our offer would share increased revenue with our players. But we cannot agree to an approach that would focus solely on our teams’ revenues while ignoring their costs and the investments we must make to modernize, stabilize and maximize the CFL.
For example, our teams are directly investing $175 million in new stadiums and stadium improvements. Like your mortgage, these costs have to be financed over several years. We also need to invest in our digital properties, our social media, marketing and ticketing, and the fan experience in our stadiums. We need to serve you better to continue to earn your support and attract new fans.
Lots of money going into new stadiums.
Could this be a case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg? TSN won't be happy with a strike. Braley wants to retire. Finding new owners for the Argonauts and the Lions just got harder.
I don't perceive greed on the part of the owners. Players want more money. Understandable. But don't injure your league.
Owners won't lockout. If players strike, I expect the league has a plan in place for that (They must have, when they announce that they will not lockout). I think the season has to go on. Then it gets really scary and really messy. Fans love their players, but I think (could be wrong) that fans love the league more. Think so but dunno. Fans love games. Fans love continuity. Fans want their family-priced sports entertainment. Much is at risk here. If the league were to close down, owenrs would be unhappy, but in some cases those owners would be lessening their financial headaches, which they endure for love of the game. If the ultimate guys' toy (a pro sports team) becomes a pain in the neck, why bother? If the league closes down, the players lose their present livelihood. These are the realities, at least as I see them.
If one forgets the linkage of TV revenue, for a minute, but is including it as general revenue, how much of an increase in salaries do the players want? 25% 20% 15% ... They have been offered 12%, without linkage. More than 12% when one includes the one-time offer of bonuses.
I will be surprised if the players strike. If they strike during TC, the fallout will be massive, it seems to me. For the league and the players.
A ... Players put their bodies at risk. Yes, by choice. 6 month season.
B ... Owners put their money at risk. By choice. And the league has had trouble finding willing, capable owners. The owner of two teams wants to retire. Can we expect to find any owner remotely near his level of commitment and deep pockets? He came to the rescue of the Lions. He came to the rescue of the Argonauts. The league was so desperate that it endures the image problem associated with one owner of two teams.
Worst case scenario: Players strike. Braley speeds up his retirement. No CFL? Sad, but life goes on.
If TSN knew the new TV deal would cause a strike, hurting their investment, would they have done the deal? I have doubts. Good faith business deal by TSN back in 2013. Would they think twice if they had to do it again?
It is going to come down to the strike vote. Yikes ...
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.