CFL TAPS WINNIPEG AS HUB CITY HOST
Many issues remain to be resolved to launch 2020 season
The government of Manitoba’s pitch to the Canadian Football League was a winner.
The league on Tuesday announced Winnipeg as its tentative choice to act as the single hub city for any and all games this season, if there is a 2020 campaign.
That ball is still very much up in the air as members of the CFL’S player relations committee and executive members of the CFL Players Association negotiate an amended collective bargaining agreement in advance of the league’s self-imposed Thursday deadline for a deal.
At least 15 sections of the CBA needed to be addressed to allow for a shortened season to be played this year. A source said last weekend that negotiations could continue through Friday if that extension is deemed necessary by both parties.
The CFL has also told the CFLPA that the hub city protocols require sign-off from health authorities and “significant” federal government financial support must be in place before a 2020 season can proceed. The CFL has requested about
$40 million in federal aid.
“We are working hard with our players and our teams on each of these fronts,” said CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
So the hub city announcement is just one step forward in a complex process, but it does represent progress.
The Winnipeg bid included provincial funding to the tune of $2.5 million to be spent by the CFL on team accommodations, food, transportation and practice field rentals. A bid from Saskatchewan to have Regina act as the hub city included a $3-million contribution. Calgary also submitted a bid.
Winnipeg was chosen by a committee of team presidents drawn from the six other CFL cities.
“All three proposals — from Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Calgary — were excellent and all three would make superb hosts,” Ambrosie said.
The 2020 season, scheduled to kick off on June 11, was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current plan would see the nine CFL teams play a six-game regular season schedule in Winnipeg’s IG Field, beginning in September. No fans would be allowed into the stadium. Playoff games and the Grey Cup would follow, also in Winnipeg, where the so-called “bubble” environment would consist of hotels, three or four practice fields and the stadium.
“It was important for the city to be able to get started in making preparations,” said Blue Bombers president Wade Miller. “It’s a big undertaking, bringing a lot of people in with a lot of logistics involved. It’s important to get started and that’s what we’ll do. A lot of the work had been done already.”
Health and safety of team personnel and the community has been paramount during the planning stages, he said.
“We’ve been communicating with the health authorities and getting their feedback and opinion. We’ve been working with the CFL medical committee, which is three doctors across the country, league officials and our players, working toward this plan. We’re adjusting it as we go, learning from other leagues around the world as they restart and we’re moving forward.”
Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, said Monday he is satisfied that the detailed CFL health and safety plan poses no risk to the people of his province.
“It’s the combination of the bubble format, along with the quarantine period, along with the testing. So these are not individuals that are travelling to Winnipeg that can interact with other Manitobans.”
It’s a big undertaking, bringing a lot of people in with a lot of logistics involved.