CFL NOTEBOOK
TORONTO – The CFL and its players have ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
The league and the CFL Players’ Association confirmed the deal with a joint press release on Wednesday. It carries the league through the 2021 season.
The two sides came to terms on a tentative agreement on May 15 and signed a memorandum of agreement on Saturday, one day before the start of training camps.
The memorandum of agreement was finalized after reports that a tentative deal between the two sides had fallen apart.
Statements by the CFLPA and the CFL issued late Saturday confirmed that there had been a discrepancy between the two sides, but that it had been worked out.
“Our new agreement speaks to positive growth for our League and a renewed investment in our players,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have an exciting future ahead of us and people around the world will see us build it together. I want to thank our players, teams and fans for their patience and let them know that I share their enthusiasm for the start of football season.”
CFLPA president Jeff Keeping also released a statement.
“I would like to thank all CFL players for their commitment and diligence as we worked together toward a fair agreement. I would also like to thank the fans for their support and understanding throughout this process,” said Keeping. “This new agreement moves us forward as partners in the future of the game.”
_______________________________________
ALS ADD FORMER STAMPS CB EVANS
The Montreal Alouettes have signed veteran defensive back Ciante Evans.
The 26-year-old played for the Calgary Stampeders the past four seasons, helping the team win the Grey Cup last year.
Evans had 127 tackles and nine interceptions in 48 games with the Stampeders.
The native of Fort Worth, Texas was a CFL all-star in 2017 and a CFL West all-star in 2018. He signed with Salt Lake of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football over the winter, making four tackles in as many games this year.
ARGOS INK LINEBACKER
The Toronto Argonauts have signed American linebacker Freddie Bishop III.
Bishop, 29, played five games for the Memphis Express of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football in 2019, making four tackles and one tackle for loss.
Bishop has nine games of NFL experience with the New York Jets from 2016-17. Prior to that, he spent three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders after completing his college career at Western Michigan.
The Argos also announced the release of American defensive back Devin Butler.
TICATS ADD RECEIVER
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American wide receiver Justin Sumpter.
The 22-year-old pro rookie was cut by the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month after signing with the NFL team in April.
The six-foot-four, 217-pound Sumpter led Kennesaw State University in receptions in all four years he played.
The Ticats also cut Canadian receiver Mitch O’Connor.
