JUNE 2, 2009

Are you ready for some Canadian Football? The CFL training camps open this week.



The CFL will begin their short training camp period this week.  Unlike the NFL, the CFL teams play just two pre-season games.  Their 18 game regular season will commence Wednesday, July 1 and end in early November.  The season culminates with the Grey Cup on Sunday November 29.

Here are some highlights of the legal aspects of the CFL. 

The "ratio"  The ratio refers to the number of import players (US football players) to non-import players (usually Canadians).  In the CFL a team can have a minimum of 41 players on the roster with a maximum of 42.  Of that number only 19 can be import players.  This is definitely different from the NFL.

Compensation  Salaries are not on a par with the NFL.  The minimum salary for 2009 in the CFL is $41,000.00 in Canadian dollars.  Salaries on the average are in the $50,000 to $70,000 range, with some quarterbacks and other standouts making more than a $100,000.00

The option year - While the NFL did away with the option year in the standard NFL player contract years ago, in the CFL the option year is still a part of the standard player contract. The option year allows the team to renew a player’s contract for one more year at 100% of the prior year's salary.  The player is able to negotiate for more than 100% for his salary, so it is possible for a player to earn, for example, 120% of his prior year's salary in the option year.

Pre-season salary  A veteran with one year in the league will earn $525.00 per week in training camp.  The amount increases by $100.00 for each year of service up to a maximum of three year and $725.00   However, the CFLPA did nothing in the CBA to address rookies’ pre-season pay.  Thus, if you are a rookie in the CFL, you will receive no money during training camp.

So there it is, a brief look at some of the contractual aspects of the CFL.  Let the season begin, eh?