One of the bigger points of contention around the CFL in recent years has been the league’s lack of salary disclosure for its players.
With professional sports teams around the world allowing more and more transparency about how much money their players make, the CFL and its players’ association are reportedly opening up the idea of allowing such information for its league to be public.
“I haven’t had that as a discussion topic so far,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in his State of the League address, via 3DownNation. “That’s probably one that can go into our January winter meetings, but yes, (I’m open to it). I want to make sure our fans have as much access to data as possible in our league, and the negotiation list was a start to that.”
The release of the league’s negotiation list came in July, allowing the curtain to be pulled back about teams’ possession of rights to future players. Now, fans can head to the CFL website to see who they have on their list, but for other leagues, websites have been created that allow fans not only to look at players’ contracts, but for them to create mock trades and signings.
One reason salaries haven’t been publicly released in the past is to shield from potential embarrassment compared to salaries in the National Football League, for example. Some news has leaked about players’ salaries over the years, most recently for the Elks, a contract extension for defensive lineman Robbie Smith that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the CFL for the second year in a row.
Any move in this regard, however, would require support from the CFLPA, but it’s something executive director David Mackie said in his own State of the Union address that he would be open to.
“This has been a conversation for a number of years through our AGMs,” CFLPA executive director David Mackie said during his State of the Union address, via 3DownNation. “What’s important for us is the privacy of our membership, but there may be an appetite there. If the commissioner says it will be on their agenda in January, we’ll ensure that conversation takes place.”
Other news and notes…
- The CFLPA is reportedly set to weigh utilizing an opt-out clause in the league’s collective bargaining agreement after the 2027 season, according to 3DownNation. While the league and the players’ association ended a brief strike in 2022, signing a seven-year term, the agreement carried an opt-out clause after the 2027 season which is tied to the league’s broadcast agreement with broadcaster TSN.
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver Dillon Mitchell was arrested in Arkansas after allegedly being involved in a high-speed chase with police the day before the Grey Cup. According to NEA Report, Mitchell faces charges including felony fleeing, driving while intoxicated, refusal to take a chemical test, reckless driving among other charges. The pursuit began after a black Ford Mustang was caught speeding 80 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to NEA Report, and ended when the driver attempted to take an exit, losing control and crashing into a metal exit sign.
