All teams under CFL salary cap in 2017

TORONTO — An extensive audit process has confirmed that all nine teams were under the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Salary Expenditure Cap, the CFL announced on Friday.

The salary cap for the 2017 season was $5.15 million.

The system’s review process includes detailed field audits of all nine clubs, including following the season. Teams are also required to provide regular updates on compensation levels at the six-game, 12-game and 18-game points of the season.

The salary cap for the 2018 season is $5.2 million.

Under the provisions set by the League’s Board of Governors, teams that exceed the cap are fined and, in some cases, teams can also lose multiple draft selections.

As no team exceeded the cap in 2017, the order for the 2018 CFL Draft on May 3 is not affected. Attached is the current draft order and below is the first-round order (barring any future trades):

  1. Montreal Alouettes
  2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
  3. BC Lions
  4. Ottawa REDBLACKS
  5. Saskatchewan Roughriders
  6. Edmonton Eskimos
  7. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
  8. Calgary Stampeders
  9. Toronto Argonauts

The CFL regular season kicks off a week earlier this year, beginning Thursday, June 14th when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field. Friday Night Football debuts June 15th when the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the reigning Grey Cup champions, the Toronto Argonauts. On Saturday, June 16th, the first double-header of the season starts with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats heading west to take on the Calgary Stampeders and the finale for Week 1 consists of the Montreal Alouettes playing against the BC Lions at BC Place.