CFL.ca Staff
Term
The term of the new agreement is four years, covering the 2010 to 2013 seasons and expiring the day before training camp starts in June 2014.
Player Compensation
Negotiated salary cap minimums replace compensation-tied to revenue
Previously, the CFL set its annual salary cap, but had to make a payment to the CFLPA if it turned out to be less than 56 per cent of defined revenues. Now, the CFL continues to set the cap, but it must be at or above a pre-established and fixed amount, one that has been determined by negotiation with the players association and will not vary according to league revenue performance.
The negotiated minimum caps during the term are as follows;
2010: $4,250,000
2011: $4,300,000
2012: $4,350,000
2013: $4,400,000
Any increases in the cap beyond these amounts would be at the sole discretion of the Canadian Football League Board of Governors.
Minimum Team Salary
The agreement sets out that salaries paid per team cannot fall below a certain threshold. The minimum team salaries during the term are as follows:
2010: $3,900,000
2011: $3,900,000
2012: $4,000,000
2013: $4,000,000
Minimum Player Salary
The agreement increases the minimum salary that can be paid a player. The minimum player salary amounts during the term are as follows:
2010: $42,000
2011: $43,000
2012: $44,000
2013: $45,000
Pension
The annual player pension amounts during the term are as follows:
2010: $3,300
2011: $3,400
2012: $3,500
2013: $3,600
During the term, these pension increases are to be matched dollar for dollar by the players.
Post-Season Compensation
There is no change to the amounts that exist within the previous agreement, with the exception of First Place Standing, Semi-Final Participation and Division Championship Participation in 2012 and 2013. In these years, there is a one-time increase of $100 per player per game from the 2011 amount.
Free Agency
The CFL will continue to be one of the only professional sports leagues with true free agency when a player has played out his contract.
But the agreement does phase out the NFL option window, eliminating it following February 2012. That window permits CFL players to sign with an NFL team between January 1 and February 16 of the ‘option year’ of their contract.
Under the new agreement, in February 2011 and February 2012, it will only be available to players with existing contracts (determined as of 30 days following the date of ratification) whose option years fall in 2011 or 2012.
Any new contracts (signed after 30 days from ratification) will not have the benefit of the NFL option window in any year.
Football Issues
Off-Season Workouts
Member Clubs will be entitled to conduct an off-season workout upon the following conditions:
• They must be voluntary;
• Helmets only drills, and no full contact;
• They must take place between February 1 and April 30, with players given 30 days written notice in advance;
• They must be no longer than three (3) days in duration;
• Players must be paid a per diem, in addition to being provided meals, travel and lodging;
• Any veterans injured while participating shall receive medical benefits and compensation payable under their Standard Player Contract until they are medically cleared to resume play;
• Participation in practices or meetings is limited to 4.5 hours per day.
Quarterbacks Can Report Early
All Quarterbacks on a Member Club’s roster may voluntarily report to training camp on the Monday prior to the commencement of camp.
Practice Times
There is no change to the provisions of the previous agreement relating to practice times.
Definition of a Non-Import
The definition of a non-import is expanded to include a player who is a Canadian citizen and was physically resident in Canada for an aggregate period of five (5) years prior to the age of 18 years.
Designated Import Rule
There is no change to the provisions of the previous agreement relating to the designated import.
Injury Grievances
Injury grievances will continue to be decided by a neutral doctor. However, a club may now request a player to submit to an exit physical prior to termination.
Injured Waivers
The requirement to place a player on injured waivers prior to assigning him to the injured list has been eliminated. A more efficient procedure to place the player on the one-game injured list will be adopted, including allowing teams to place players on the one-game injured list 24 hours prior to the game, previously 48 hours.
Player Discipline and Arbitration
Arbitration System
The current arbitration system has been maintained, with the following amendments:
• The CFLPA and the CFL and its clubs must use best efforts to expedite the arbitration process once a notice to arbitrate has been filed; and
• The list of arbitrators has been changed, and is to comprise four individuals in total – two located in eastern Canada (east of Winnipeg) and two in Western Canada (Winnipeg and west).
Maximum Fine
The maximum player fine has been established at one-half of one game cheque. This limitation is consistent with the CFL’s historical practice.
CFL Drug Policy
This policy is integrated into the new CBA. See separate Drug Policy Backgrounder.
Player Benefits
Insurance
The CFL will provide increased Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance coverage to players, to better address a situation involving catastrophic injury.
Medical Treatment After Injury
Medical coverage has been extended to one year from the date of injury. The previous agreement terminated coverage on the date of the following year’s training camp regardless of when the injury may have occurred during the season.
Post Career and Financial Counseling
The CFL will make an annual payment to the CFLPA to assist in providing post-career and financial counseling for the players.
Commercial Provisions
Player Images and Jersey Names
The CFL shall pay a flat, annual fee to the CFLPA in return for:
• Promotional or commercial usage by the CFL, Member Clubs or sponsors of images or video of players in game uniform (individual or in groups), provided that such use does not equate to a direct commercial endorsement by the player;
• Royalty-free license to sell CFL jerseys including player names, and retain all associated revenue; and
• Continuation of the right to include sponsor logos on CFL jerseys.
This provision creates more efficiency and administrative ease for the league office, the Member Clubs and the players.
Miscellaneous Provisions
• Member Clubs may bring in a maximum of two injured veter
ans to training camp, with the players’ consent, before requiring them to complete a physical, providing injured veteran players with greater opportunity to attend training camp.
• There is a provision for two additional undrafted, non-import players and non-import quarterbacks to attend training camp, providing additional opportunities for non-import players.
• Several other smaller “housekeeping” items have been addressed within the CFL Regulations and By-laws.
