CFLPA Issues Statement

This letter from Scott Flory comes at the same time the two sides announce they will go back to the bargaining table on Wednesday,


CFLPA Statement to Facts 

(STONEY CREEK, ON)  The CFL Players’ Association and President Scott Flory feel that it is important to clarify a number of points and outline specific information from 3 separate documents issued by the CFL.  The first was a direct letter to every Veteran Player, the second ‘An Open Letter to Canadian Football League fans’ and the third ‘CBA Myths and Facts’, the latter 2 posted directly to cfl.ca.   

I have also included other information as per the links below, where the League has made statements that are now contrary to their negotiating position.  In spite of the League ambushing the PA Executive and strategically breaking the trust of our media agreement during our last attempt to negotiate a new deal on Wednesday May 21st, the CFLPA Executive Negotiation Committee have utilized our time wisely and are now anxious to get back behind closed doors to negotiate in good faith, a deal that will get both parties a fair and equitable CBA that will stand for many years to come.   

FACT: Mark Cohon boasts about 6 of 8 healthy franchises at Grey Cup 2012.   

FACT: Players’ salaries are the only regulated form of spending on the teams.  Profitability varies due to differing business models, which is why our proposal is based on revenue.  

FACT: The Commissioners argument that we cannot compare ourselves to the other major professional sports leagues is just not true, we are all the same, just on a different scale. Their real issue isn’t a salary cap tied to revenue, it’s a league wide system of revenue sharing so all the teams can exist through good times and bad.   

FACT: Our initial monetary proposal would still allow for a distribution of an additional $1M per Club.   

FACT: Winnipeg’s revenues grew by $7.5M to $24.2M with a new stadium, a rise of approximately 45%. We can only assume Hamilton’s and Ottawa’s revenues will be comparable.   

FACT: The standard set by the other North American sports leagues is the salary cap is approx. 50% of total gross revenue.  Our initial ask is for 25.7% of Winnipeg’s revenue, 33.6% of Edmonton’s revenue, and 18% of Saskatchewan’s revenue!   

FACT: Our proposal provides for a salary cap of 35% of revenues. This percentage is based on a league wide average that excludes the high and low teams as outlined in the 2013 financial statements provided by the CFL.  This does not include the new TSN TV revenue!!!! 

Scott Flory - CFL Players’ Association – President 

This And That

--A weekly collection of thoughts running through my muddled brain


  --You can be negative if you want about Regina's new stadium, but I'm all for it and can't wait to walk into it for the first time.  The bitching and whining doesn't really surprise me because its so Saskatchewan. I really hope someday that culture leaves us, but it won't be for a long time. You could embrace the opportunity in front of you, but some choose not to and that's fine. The bottom line is its getting built and I can assure you barring something unforeseen this project won't be botched like the one in Winnipeg was

  --CFL players should be told by president Scott Flory to shut up because they are not helping themselves. The ill-spirited comments by some on Twitter are making the players come off as whiners. Let the association handle this and stay out of it

 --A nine percent hike in pay is a reasonable request by the CFL, but the league can certainly move on that offer somewhat. I wouldn't find an increase that is 10-12 percent to be unreasonable. Anything beyond that is a stretch though.

  --In this day and age where its not hard to find somewhere else to spend your entertainment dollar, it would be wise of the CFL to get this situation settled. The last thing the league needs is to get the new Ottawa franchise off on the wrong foot and with the southern Ontario fanbases always questionable and Montreal's fanbase disappearing as the team's dominance leaves, the CFL should be very wary of the consequences that could occur if games are missed.

 --The Montreal Canadiens are not the same team against the New York Rangers that they were against the Boston Bruins. The goaltending situation does not change my opinion on that. The fire and hunger doesn't seem to be there against the Rangers.  That being said, they got back in the series on a greasy one and sometimes that's all you need.

 --I'm assuming it was a Habs fan that said to me on Twitter that Montreal fans will take the good PK Subban with the bad PK Subban. There's been a lot more bad than good in this series.  It baffles me as to how some people think this guy is the best defenseman in the league. He is terrible in his own zone.

  --Is new Habs hero and Sasky Dustin Tokarski  the twin brother of Canadian crooner Michael Buble...

  Tokarski was the goalie for the Spokane Chiefs when they won the Memorial Cup and then broke it. Remember that....



I spoke with Dustin a couple of days later on the old Remenda show and asked him his thoughts on that. He said he was skating over when the cup collapsed and just stopped and said "Wasn't me!!" Watching that clip makes me howl again! God that was funny!

  --Its late May and the Toronto Blue Jays are in first place in the American League East. Is that a surprise? Its late May and the Chicago Cubs are last in their division in the National League Central. Is that expected?

  --Former Jays catcher JP Arencibia got sent to Triple A this week by the Texas Rangers. Arencibia had the gall to blame the Toronto media for him leaving the Blue Jays in the off-season. Yeah, I'm guessing those prodigious numbers at the plate you have been putting up had absolutely nothing to do with it.  Is the Dallas media to blame for your Triple A appearance? Three words JP----GET A HIT!

  --People who doublepark in an Impark lot should have a special place in hell reserved for them and the phone number of someone who will get out door dents.

  --There is talk Kurt Angle could be rejoining WWE? Oh boy! (sarcasm off)

  --The stars of High Impact Wrestling do their thing Friday night at the Hungarian Club. There is no Access TV coverage of this event so Pete Paczko and I are going to mingle with the gronks. Yes, yes we are!

  --Just 15 weeks until the Seahawks start the 2014 NFL season by slapping the Packers around CenturyLink Field.

  --I think its finally safe to say summer has arrived.  Have a great weekend!

 

Here it Is!!!

Today, the Saskatchewan Roughriders joined the City of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan to unveil, the final design of the future home of the Roughriders, which will carry the name Mosaic Stadium.  The Riders announced today that their current partnership with The Mosaic Company will be renewed in a 20-year stadium naming rights agreement between the two organizations.

Teaming up with Mosaic to secure the first naming rights partnership of Mosaic Stadium in 2006 was a defining time for the Riders, and for the community.  With the new Mosaic Stadium, and renewed naming partnership, the two organizations will come together in support of the Regina Revitalization Initiative, ushering in a new and exciting era for the Roughriders, the Province, City of Regina and all of Rider Nation. 

The new Mosaic Stadium will be a state of the art 33,000 seat facility that can be expanded to accommodate 40,000 fans for special events such as the Grey Cup Championship Game.  The stadium will deliver an incredible game day experience with wider individual seats, a sunken bowl to ease spectator access, expansive concourses, concession and hospitality offerings as well as premium options that include 38 suites for corporate partners.  Located three blocks west of the current Mosaic Stadium, this iconic new stadium will stand out as one of the premier facilities of its kind in Canada and will become a centerpiece for the province.    

“We could not be happier with this announcement and the long term extension of what has been a terrific relationship between the Roughriders and Mosaic, said Jim Hopson, President and CEO of the Roughriders Football Club.  “Beyond our shared love for this game and the league, is a shared commitment to the community.   This relationship has contributed to some great achievements for Riders and this new agreement will set the stage for what we expect will be many years of success, both on and off the field.”  

“Strong partnerships champion successful organizations and help build healthy and vibrant communities,” said Walt Precourt, Mosaic’s Senior Vice President of Potash. “Our sponsorship of Mosaic Stadium, and relationship with the Roughriders, represents the foundation for our continued investments in this province. Together, we’re proud to recognize our community’s rich past and are excited about a new and prosperous future.”

New Mosaic Stadium will host its first Rider game in June of 2017. 

The Riders also announced a new stadium website, www.newmosaicstadium.com where fans can access new stadium design images, videos and factual information.

 

Getz Yourself Some Rider Chips

First there was Fantuz Flakes cereal. Then came Dressler Undressed and Geroy’s Super Sour Cream and Onion chips. This season, Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Chris Getzlaf and quarterback Darian Durant will headline the Co-op/Riders Game Day Approved roster with Chris-py Dill Chips and Darian’s Quarterback Quench Sports Drink.
These products are new and so is the competition. Co-op has offered Game Day Approved products with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the last two years. This season, the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders will also partner with Co-op in their own Game Day Approved product lines. Co-branded products food and merchandise will be sold at Co-op locations in all four markets. A portion of sales from Game Day Approved products will be donated to local children’s hospital foundations in the three Prairie provinces.

“This is a big win for everyone. Not only do football fans and Co-op shoppers get to support their team, they’re contributing to a healthier future for our children and families,” said Vic Huard, Vice-President of Strategy at Federated Co-operatives Limited, on behalf of the Co-operative Retailing System. “Your purchase will help your team win off the field for children’s hospital foundations, and we’ll see who really has the best fans.” 

New Co-op/Riders products for 2014 include a specially branded championship cola in commemorative collector cans as well as a bar fridge, hard hat, food cooler, ice cream, apple juice and energy drink. Fans will also have a chance to win a VIP suite for 16 people at one of six Rider home games. 

“The Roughriders are leaders on the field and in the community,” said Steve Mazurak, Saskatchewan Roughriders Vice-President of Sales and Partnerships. “We’re thrilled to continue this successful partnership with Co-op and to contribute to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan’s great work.”

The Co-op/Roughriders Game Day approved lineup has set the bar for the three other Game Day Approved teams, raising $95,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan in the 2013 season. A total of $416,000 has been raised since the partnership began in 2010. The sale proceeds are in addition to the $5 million donation over five years to the five western Canadian children’s hospital foundations, of which the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan received $1.7 million.

"Football season is even better when the Co-op’s Game Day Approved items hit the shelves," said Brynn Boback-Lane, Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan President and CEO. "The support that our Foundation receives from the partnership with Saskatchewan Co-ops and our beloved Roughriders truly recognizes that this province has a team of great people and vision. Through this innovative program, we can provide more tools that are needed to help the children and families of Saskatchewan receive even better pediatric equipment and healthcare now and in the future."

Co-op stores in Saskatchewan will also be the exclusive retailer of All In, a DVD highlighting the Roughriders and their 2013 championship season.

The Commish Has A Message For CFL Fans

Thank you for your patience and understanding during our contract talks with our players.
Out of respect for our players and the negotiation process, we have had little to say in public. But now that the talks have reached a critical juncture, I want to provide you, the most important people in the CFL, with an update.
Today, we have directly communicated to CFL players the full details of our offer to them.
It is fair and reasonable. It would increase the average player salary by 12 per cent this season, to $92,917. It would increase the minimum player's salary by 11 per cent this season, to $50,000. It would increase the salary cap by nine per cent this season from $4.4 million to $4.8 million per team. More increases would come over the life of an agreement.
Unfortunately, the union's bargaining team has rejected this offer, and instead put forward an unrealistic proposal which, if adopted, would threaten the very existence of the CFL.
This is why we are now communicating directly to the players. The details of our offer, in a letter from me to the players, are posted on CFL.ca.
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.
Like you, we want football. We want training camp to open and our full pre-season and regular season schedule to be played. We don't want a work stoppage.
Like you, we admire and appreciate what our players do on the field and in the community. They deserve to be paid fairly.
But also like you, we love this league. And that means we have a responsibility to you, and future generations of fans, to keep it strong.
Thanks to your support, the CFL is in a better place today than it has been in years. And we have made an offer that reflects this growth.
But we still have work to do to ensure all of our teams can make a profit, which is crucial to attracting the next generation of owners, at the same time we attract new fans. We still have a long way to go to realize our vision of a strong, sustainable league that can succeed in today's rapidly changing business climate, and in every market.
It was a long winter in Canada. And like you, we can't wait for the season to start. But we owe it to everyone who loves the CFL to seek an agreement that's fair to our players and right for our league and its future.
Thank you again for your patience and all you've done to help us grow.

Mark Cohon
Commissioner, Canadian Football League

Riders Sign Linebacker and Defensive Back

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that import linebacker Brandon Isaac has signed with the team. As per club policy financial details of the contract were not released.

Isaac (6’3 – 208) is a four year CFL veteran after originally signing with the Calgary Stampeders ahead of the 2010 season. The University of South Carolina product joined the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 before being picked up by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in July of 2013.

In 60 career regular season games the 29-year-old has totaled 127 defensive tackles, 12 quarterback sacks, nine special teams tackles and two interceptions. He won his first Grey Cup in 2012 as a member of the Argonauts.  

 

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that import defensive back Marshay Green has signed with the team. As per club policy financial details of the contract were not released.

Green (5’10 – 183) joins the Riders after spending the last four seasons in the NFL. The 28-year-old spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after originally signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He went on to spend the 2012 season with the Indianapolis Colts as well attended training camp in 2013.
Before going pro, the Louisiana native played four seasons at Mississippi registering 62 defensive tackles and two interceptions in 48 career collegiate games. He also added 93 punt returns for 917 yards and three touchdowns. Green was named the Defensive MVP of the 2009 Cotton Bowl.

 

Riders Cap Off Season Tickets

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club announced today that they have reached a season ticket sales capacity of 26,700 tickets sold.

Creating a season ticket sales capacity allows fans, who may not be able to make a full season commitment, the opportunity to purchase single game tickets when they become available.   

“Interest to renew or purchase new season tickets has been very strong, following one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.  It’s important to us that the broader fan base has access to single game tickets and we have therefore capped our sales of season tickets for this year” stated Riders VP of Marketing and Business Development Gregg Sauter. “We expect the demand for single game tickets to be high as well and we encourage fans to make their purchase as soon as possible when they go on sale.”

Mosaic Stadium capacity will return to 33,427 for the 2014 season.

Single game tickets will go on sale to the general public on May 31^st at 10:00AM.

Tickets for the REDBLACKS CFL debut game June 14 at Mosaic Stadium are on sale now at www.Riderville.com.

Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the 2015 season can join a waiting list by signing up at www.Riderville.com.