Players blast CFL for keeping them in the dark
News that Lions, Ticats and Stamps to open training facilities ‘comes as a shock’ to union
After a month of existing in a new vacuum, Thursday’s announcement should have qualified as good news for the CFL and its fans.
True, this announcement didn’t exactly stop the presses, but as was reported by TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders were all poised to open their facilities to a larger group of players.
In the Lions’ case, that means the players who have stayed in Vancouver during the COVID-19 outbreak could begin training at the Surrey facility in groups of six.
As always, physical distancing will be practised. Why should we have all the fun?
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Tristan Sandhu, the Lions’ head athletic therapist who, with strength coach Chris Boyko, will oversee the workouts. “There’s still a long way to go, but this is a first step.”
So it’s something, right? A sign that things are moving toward a startup; a signal there may be a season after all.
At least that’s the way it felt for about an hour on Thursday. But this being the CFL, you knew the good vibes couldn’t possibly last.
“This was done with zero consultation from the players,” Brian Ramsay, executive director of the CFLPA, said over the phone from Toronto. “These are things we should be discussing.
“This came as a shock. We all know what we’re going through and we should go through this together. The problem is we don’t get information, and when it comes, it’s always a surprise.”
Except the part where the CFL finds itself in a mess of its own making. That isn’t surprising. A month after the CFL was publicly chastised in the House of Commons for its failure to involve the Players’ Association in its restart plan, Ramsay said little has changed between the PA and the league. The PA wants to engage with the owners. They want to form a partnership that will address the many and varied issues presented by the COVID-19 crisis. They want an active voice in the league’s business.
To that end, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie has stated numerous times the league has consulted with Ramsay and PA president Solomon Elimimian. But Thursday, Ramsay and his constituents painted a different picture, a picture that reflected resentment and frustration from the players.
“It’s hard to consider it a partnership when your partner doesn’t talk to you,” Ramsay said.
That’s one way to put it. Here’s another from Ottawa punter Richie Leone via Twitter: “What a freaking joke man. All that brain power at (sic) the CFL can’t come up with anything? Genuinely sad and disturbed. (Ambrosie), c’mon bro call me. Call someone.”
Yes, feel the love. Ambrosie maintains the league is still hoping to resume playing around Labour Day, but given the challenges it faces, to say nothing of the drama with the union, that will be a monumental challenge.
Three months seems like ample time to get things organized until you consider a 14-day self-isolation period for players coming from the United States and a three- to four-week training camp.
That’s assuming, of course, the border is open to allow players to return to training camps. There are also, literally, hundreds of health and safety issues to address, and let’s not forget our old friend the collective-bargaining agreement. Will salaries be pro-rated? What about bonuses that have already been paid? What about bonuses that have yet to be paid? And critical dates. And roster sizes.
It’s believed the PA presented the league with 15 CBA-related items that had to be resolved before a restart would be considered.
To date, there has been little movement on any of the PA’s concerns.
“There’s a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it,” Ramsay said. “There are so many layers to this and we require clarity.
“Will players be allowed to bring their families? What are the health risks? What are the health protocols which are planned?”
All good questions. As for the answers, well, given the uncertainty that’s the defining feature of these times, it’s difficult for the CFL to provide the definitive word on any subject.
The league wants to restart by Labour Day. It’s still considering a hub city approach and a new proposal that would see East Division teams relocate to West Division cities and play out the schedule. An adopt-ateam plan.
Beyond that?
“To anyone who’s feeling frustrated by the time it’s taking to reach these conclusions, I’d tell you I feel your pain,” Ambrosie said.
“I’d love nothing more than to have all the answers that I need today and make a decision and a proclamation.”
History is a large part of the problem between the two sides. Throughout its 55-year history, the PA has played a subservient role to the league; seldom questioning, never fighting. As a result, the league has always dictated its terms to the union without a great deal of resistance.
But, as you may have noticed, these are different times and they require a different approach.
The CFL is facing enough battles as it is these days.
It doesn’t have to create one with the players.