CFL SALARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROVIDES COST CERTAINTY
Seven of eight Canadian Football League teams are under 2008 cap

Toronto, ON – (March 31, 2009) – The final results of a comprehensive audit and review process show seven of eight teams were under the Canadian Football League’s $4.2 million salary cap for 2008, the league announced today.

“The Salary Management System (SMS) continues to work in the best interests of our game and our fans, providing teams with cost certainty at the same time we provide Canadians with great football,” said Commissioner Mark Cohon.

“It is ensuring our league operates on a sustainable business model, and that’s in the best long term interests of our league and our players.”

The Saskatchewan Roughriders exceeded the salary cap by $87,147 and have been fined $87,147.

Under the provisions of the SMS, set by the league’s Board of Governors, teams are fined one dollar for every dollar they exceed the cap up to 100,000 dollars, and two dollars for every dollar they exceed the cap between 100,000 and 300,000 dollars, plus the loss of the team’s first round draft pick. Teams are fined three dollars for every dollar they exceed the cap beyond $300,000 and they lose their first two draft selections.

The salary cap for the upcoming 2009 season has been set at $4.2 million per team.

As no team exceeded the cap in 2008 by more than 100,000 dollars, the order in the May 2nd 2009 CFL Canadian Draft is not affected. It remains, for the first round:

1.    Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2.    Toronto Argonauts
3.    Hamilton Tiger-Cats via Winnipeg
4.    British Columbia Lions via Toronto via Edmonton  
5.    British Columbia Lions
6.    British Columbia Lions via Saskatchewan
7.    Montreal Alouettes
8.    Calgary Stampeders

For the full draft selection order click here.