Earlier this week we reported that there is a strong possibility that the CFL will postpone their 2021 season on April 19th. With the XFL on the sidelines this season, and the possibility of a partnership, there’s a lot of news eyes on the CFL this year. As of now, the CFL is still slated to kickoff June 10th, but it sounds like that is going to change soon.
Shortly after the CFL cancelled its 2020 season, the CFLPA told its members that those contracted to league teams would be eligible for wage subsidy from July through December. The union added the benefits could go beyond that if the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is extended, which it was to June 2021.
Last year the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan, the CFL is now looking elsewhere for financial help. Due to COVID-19, the CFL was forced to cancel their 2020 season, which reportedly led to between $60 and $80M in losses. If the 2021 season is in jeopardy, the league is set to loos even more.
The league reportedly lost between $60 and $80 million last year after the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan a year ago. They’ll lose millions more if any kind of season is played in 2021.
Last week a letter started going around from the CFLPA to its players basically telling them not to quit their day jobs. This message was clearly heard by not only the players, but all of the fans looking for information on the CFL’s plans. The CFL constructed a plan to start the season on-time, but included a 20% pay cut if there were no fans in attendance. With COVID-19 still running wild, it seems that fans will need to wait a little longer. Which, could be the main reason we’ll see the CFL delay the season.
With a new loan out of the question for the CFL, a lot of people are starting to look at this new potential partnership as a net positive. But, will RedBird Capital open the purse strings to see things through? This is just another blow to the Canadian Football League since COVID-19 forced the league to miss the entirety of the 2020 season. With the 2021 season right around the corner, we’re hopeful that the worst that happens is a delay. We want to watch CFL this year!
When the CFL kicks off its 2021 season will you be tuning in? Let us know down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.
