Agent feels players, CFL not far apart on CBA negotiations

It has been a shocking 24 hours for CFL players, teams and fans.

It was announced on the evening of May 18 that the CFL and the CFL Players’ Association had reached a new tentative collective bargaining agreement after a players’ strike started on May 15.

But things went south on Victoria Day, when the majority of CFL players voted down the tentative agreement during the ratification process.

While negotiations have once again stalled between the league and its players, agent Rob Fry feels with pre-season games scheduled for Friday, there is simply too much at stake to let negotiations drag on.

“Those (pre-season games) are a big deal, not just for the owners’ pockets but for players trying to earn roster spots,” Fry said Tuesday. “We need some positive momentum here.”

Despite no deal being agreed to, players across the country were still on the field for training camp Tuesday. That includes the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who continued training camp at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

Fry considers players being on the field to be a good sign that the sides aren’t far away from a deal.

“There is lots to be hopeful about here,” Fry explained. “The players have flown across the country, driven across the country, left their families and are being housed by the teams. I think everybody wants this to move quickly.”

Fry suggests players wouldn’t be on the field Tuesday or being housed by teams if a deal wasn’t close.

If negotiations between the CFL and CFLPA go well, Fry thinks a new deal could be reached within the next 24 hours.

The biggest issues currently facing both sides reportedly has to do with the Canadian-American player ratio, as well as a ratification bonus for the players once a deal is reached.

However, Fry did say it was shocking to see the tentative agreement voted down by the players over the weekend.

“It is very rare. (I) haven’t seen this before in the CFL. This is uncharted territory,” explained Fry.

“In a way, it would be sort of like myself negotiating a player’s contract and then it’s agreed on and the player backs out of the deal in a roundabout way.”

3DownNation reporter John Hodge reported Tuesday morning that the CFL has made a new proposal to the players. Any tentative agreement will have to be ratified by the players.