Optimism over CFL's plan for August kickoff
14-game season to end with Grey Cup in December — if the virus co-operates
It's a Christmas Miracle, or thereabouts.
The Canadian Football League finally announced a season schedule on Wednesday, a delayed slate of games that will kick off on Aug. 5 instead of June 10, culminating with a Grey Cup championship contest on Dec. 12 in Hamilton.
Officials at the team and league level were very deliberate in pointing out these are “target” dates, as the ever evolving COVID-19 situations in the six provinces that are home to CFL teams could still lay waste to whatever plans are made.
“It's good that there's a plan, and to know that it all makes sense, too, logically with what's going on,” said Lions coach Rick Campbell. “It's good to have a plan. The reason I'm optimistic is — and I'm not a doctor, or anything like that — but just seeing what's happening in the U.K. and the U.S., and even in B.C., where they have highly vaccinated people, it seems to trend in the right direction.
“So if that all holds true, then hopefully as the weeks go by and after a couple months, then things can maybe look a little more normal.”
“We're certainly pleased that we've been able to get to this point. It's been a challenge,” said Lions president Rick LeLacheur. “There's no easy way around all this with what's going on. We've got a target date, we're hopeful to play 14 games, and by backing the Grey Cup up to Dec. 12, we're very hopeful that we'll be able to do that.”
December Grey Cups were a common affair up until the mid1940s, but the last time the CFL held its championship in December was the 60th such game on Dec. 3, 1972 — in Hamilton.
The differing restrictions levied by the public health authorities are hurdles the league must clear, though B.C. is one of four provinces with verbal approval to return to play — Quebec and Ontario are the outliers, according to TSN's Dave Naylor.
The bigger factor lies in getting butts in the seats, as CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said fans account for nearly half of the league's revenue.
Naylor also reported that eastern teams could see their early-season games moved west if they're unable to play due to provincial health restrictions.
In Vancouver, the Lions have been working with both the health authority, B.C. Place Stadium and Ticketmaster to come up with a possible solution. Under the scenario of an open roof, assigned ticket pods and specified protocols for entry and exit, LeLacheur said they could see around 18 per cent lower bowl capacity — around 4,000 to 5,000 fans.
On the player side, the Lions are still planning on holding a traditional training camp in Kamloops in July, crucial for helping players who haven't been in pads since Nov. 12, 2019.
“We've got to be smart about injuries, as far as ramping ourselves up, so we're not going zero to 100 miles an hour in one day,” said Campbell. “But at the same time, we must be aggressive enough to get them back into football-playing shape. That's going to be one to figure out, to make sure we do that right.
“It's helpful we know a target date, that `this is when we're going' for players, so they're not just working out indefinitely, but have a time frame in mind.”
Working in the league's favour is the large number of Americans who play in the CFL who have ready access to vaccinations. LeLacheur said most, if not all, of the U.S.-based Lions had received their first shots.
Working against the league is the uncertainty of the pandemic; 3downnation's Justin Dunk reported the CFLPA sent a note to its players cautioning them against making any decisions concerning their current employment until the situation becomes clearer.
There is a clear sense of excitement among team staff and players, said LeLacheur, but he also said there could be some who opt not to play in the CFL this season.
“The players have been through an awful lot. And everybody knows they only get paid in the CFL for the games they play,” he said. “A number of (players) I know have other jobs, they're looking at other careers. I've seen a couple of players we signed previously, who were new to the Lions, have decided not to continue with football. And I know there has been a few retirements through the league. So it wouldn't surprise me if there's a few (who might not play this season).”