The Canadian Football League has set the record straight.
The United Football Players Association released a statement which read in part: there is a strong likelihood that the CFL may cancel the 2021 and 2022 seasons. After the social media post created a stir on Twitter, the CFL refuted the claims.
The UFPA has no standing with the CFL. We, of course, bargain with the CFLPA. The claims being made in its name on our upcoming season are false. We plan to play this year. We intend to play this year. And we are working very hard towards playing this year. That includes working towards provincial and federal approvals for our health and safety plan.
The CFL unveiled its 2021 schedule last November with the pre-season scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 23, while the regular season is slated to get underway on Thursday, June 10. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has promised plenty of football in 2021.
The CFL reportedly lost between $60 and $80 million last year and are set to lose millions more if any kind of season if played in 2021. After the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan a year ago, the CFL is looking elsewhere for financial help.
That’s led the CFL to connecting with The Rock. Dwayne Johnson, his business partner Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital purchased the bankrupt XFL and its assets for $15 million last year.
The CFL and XFL owners have agreed to work together to identify opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football.
