CFLPA clarifies the facts

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.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-boasts-6-healthy-franchises-says-commissioner-1.1201438

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