SUNDAY CFL UPDATE

Things could be starting to shake in the CFL.

Hallowed reporter Marty York (formerly of the Globe & Mail, Sportsnet and TSN) Tweeted a very positive report Saturday regarding the 2020 CFL season.

“I don’t come out with many CFL scoops anymore, but I have one for you tonight,” York wrote from Toronto. “The league WILL be back in business soon and there WILL be a shortened season – and the Feds WILL give the CFL a few million dollars, about a sixth of the $150-million originally sought.”

Meanwhile Edmonton sportswriter Dan Barnes reported that things are moving in a positive direction with the owners and players.

“CFLPA tells members progress is being made on a deal with the CFL,” Barnes wrote. “Nothing final yet. Being told that only ‘a handful’ of issues – not all of them financial – need to be negotiated by CFL and CFLPA to finalize a deal that would allow the league to stage a six-game 2020 season in a Winnipeg hub.”

Somewhere Barnes reported “That’s reason for optimism, and another source said it’s possible the league could be in position to make an announcement by Tuesday” but I can’t find that report anywhere on Twitter. The quote came from Barnes on 3DownNation. 

TSN CFL Insider Dave Naylor said we’ll continue to wait on pins and needles for awhile longer.

“I do not expect there to be a resolution to the CFL season today,” Naylor Tweeted on Friday. “It appears the wait is heading into the third week of August. Woulda bet the farm against that a few weeks ago … but here we are.”

All this contradicts the Friday morning report by Sportsnet’s Arash Madani that multiple privately-owned CFL franchises don’t want to play in 2020 for a variety of reasons. However Marty York stated that the Argos and Lions are “coming around”.

Stay tuned.

RP
@rodpedersen