CFL teams cash in with new TSN deal

CALGARY According to a wellplaced source, the Canadian Football League’s new rights deal with TSN runs through 2025 and should generate at least $50 million per year.

The base amount is essentially enough to cover the salary cap, as it has been set at $5.3 million per team for 2020.

Though neither the CFL nor TSN offered details on the deal, commissioner Randy Ambrosie said Thursday he’s excited about the potential of the pact, as it provides revenue stability to accompany the labour peace achieved during collective bargaining negotiations with the CFL Players’ Association last spring.

The rights deal has built-in financial sweeteners that will create incentives for team involvement in TSN projects and strengthen the stakeholders’ partnership.

“We’re going to essentially set up a scorecard of the things we need to do well together to help TSN tell our story,” said Ambrosie.

Meanwhile, Mexico isn’t on the schedule, but it’s definitely on the horizon.

The CFL had hoped to stage a pre-season or regular-season game in Mexico City in 2020, in collaboration with the Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional.

Ambrosie said it won’t happen next season, but it’s part of the new deal with TSN.

Ambrosie also said the league has taken a slightly different approach to prioritizing games for the 2020 schedule.

“What we’re introducing is an effort to really give the teams a chance to make some high-priority choices for games that they absolutely want.”

Word is many CFL opponents have prioritized summer home games against the Roughriders.

“Saskatchewan travels as well or better than any team in our league,” Ambrosie said.