The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released a statement via Twitter expressing their optimism that Friday’s preseason game against the Edmonton Elks will still be played despite the players voting down the collective bargaining agreement that was tentatively agreed upon last week.
We are optimistic that Friday’s pre-season game will be played as scheduled. Once we have further information, we will provide you with more details.
Wade Miller
President and CEO
Friday marks the opening day of the CFL’s preseason with the Toronto Argonauts visiting the Ottawa Redblacks at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Edmonton Elks visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 8:30 p.m. ET. This marks the league’s first set of preseason games since 2019 as the delayed start to the 2021 season eliminated preseason games from the schedule.
The CFL Players’ Association went on strike for the first time in almost 50 years on Sunday, May 15 following the expiration of the previous CBA. The work stoppage came to an end on Wednesday when the tentative deal was agreed upon.
As per 3DownNation‘s John Hodge, the players voted down the agreement due to the proposed changes to the ratio, the lack of a ratification bonus, and revenue sharing not starting until the midway point of the agreement.
TSN is slated to televise four preseason CFL games as follows:
Friday, May 27 — Toronto Argonauts vs. Ottawa Redblacks at 7:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, May 31 — Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders at 8:30 p.m. ET
Friday, June 3 — Ottawa Redblacks vs. Montreal Alouettes at 7:00 p.m. ET
Friday, June 3 — Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. B.C. Lions at 10:00 p.m. ET
