Bombers Go Over Salary Cap

TORONTO -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the only CFL team to exceed the $4.2-million salary cap last year, the league announced Tuesday.
The Blue Bombers finished the season $44,687 over the cap and were therefore fined that amount by the league. Winnipeg will keep its 2010 first-round draft pick because it didn't exceed the cap by more than $100,000.
Winnipeg currently has the seventh overall pick in this year's Canadian college draft, which will be held May 2.
"The final results of a comprehensive audit and review process show a high level of compliance with the salary management system," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement.
Under terms of the salary management system, teams are fined one dollar for each dollar they're over the cap up to $100,000. The fine increases to $2 for every dollar over between $100,000 and $300,000 with the franchise also losing its first-round draft pick.
Clubs that are more than $300,00 over the cap are fined $3 for every dollar they're over and lose their first two draft selections.
CFL teams will again operate under a $4.2-million salary cap in 2010.
With no team was more than $100,000 over the cap, the selection order for this year's draft remains intact. The Toronto Argonauts have the opening pick, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders selecting at No. 2 and No. 4. The B.C. Lions are at No. 3, with the Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg and Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes rounding out the first round.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats forfeited the No. 5 selection after taking Weber State offensive lineman Zac Carlson in last year's supplemental draft.