Each of the eight CFL teams maintains what is called a negotiation list.

The list  will be made up of 35 players that the team has an interest in signing at some point in time. The list is usually made up of American college players, or players that are in the NFL and may become available if they are released by the NFL team.  CFL teams try to keep the names of the players on their negotiation list a secret - for the simple reason that once a player finds out he is on the list, he can ask the team to offer him a contract. The player can force the team to put him on the team's practice roster or place him on the active list within ten days. Often, a team will not have the space on the roster available and will not want to lose the right to negotiate with the player at a later date. Therefore, the team is better off keeping the player unaware that he is on a negotiation list.

What follows are two links (both are several years old) that further discuss the negotiation list in the CFL.  CFL Link  1 and CFL Link 2

West Coast Confernce has 8 year deal with ESPN

With the addition of Brigham Young University to the West Coast Conference, ESPN and the WCC have announced an eight year contract extension. ESPN will televise a minimum of 48 WCC basketball games this coming season.