After nearly a year and half of inactivity, fans of the CFL will be happy to hear that the board of governors officially approved plans for a 14 game season beginning on August 5th. With all nine members voting in favour of the proposal, CFL teams can now begin to firm up plans for training camps, quarantines, and practices.
The CFL elected to shutter any plans for a 2020 season after suggestions to follow in the footsteps of NHL/NBA teams and create a bubble format fell through for financial reasons. Those same financial concerns loomed large in recent weeks as rumblings around the league about the economic factors of reduced crowds or no fans all together brought renewed doubts regarding the 2021 season.
The announcement comes on the same day the Ontario government released new guidelines regarding Elite level or Professional athletes, and the protocols organizations must follow in their return to play plans. While this season will certainly create a variety of new challenges, fans, owners, and players alike can breathe a sigh of relief knowing there will be football north of the border this year.
With the pushed back start date, the league will now be running until nearly Christmas in an effort to maximize games played, and fulfill sponsorship and broadcast obligations. The Grey Cup, which will be hosted in Hamilton this year, will now take place on December 12th, with frigid temperatures all but assured for the winner of each division.
With cases dropping, and vaccination rates surging around the country, some provincial governments (such as Alberta and Saskatchewan) are now optimistic that they will be able to have fans (in limited capacities) in the stands by the time August rolls around. With the Ontario government being slightly less bullish on the prospect of in person crowds, the CFL is expected to begin its schedule with an extended Western road trip in order to get as many fans in venues as possible.
The CFL is a gate driven league which doesn’t have the luxury of mammoth TV contracts like the NFL. Which means that a Western swing to begin the season will be welcome news to stakeholders across the league.
While the return to play is fantastic news for everyone involved in the CFL (not to mention the restaurants and venues in the areas adjacent to stadiums who depend on game day revenues to stay afloat) the larger question regarding the future of the league remains shrouded in mystery. Following the announcement in March that the CFL would be entering negotiations with the XFL on a partnership deal, there have been more questions than answers regarding the direction of football in Canada.
For 2021 at least, the CFL will continue to be a stand alone entity. What happens once the Grey Cup is awarded on December 12th however is anyone’s guess. The CFL plans on releasing it’s full schedule later this week.