UFPA: CFL may not play in 2021 OR 2022

[4th&long]

It's not the rumor mongering that's weird, it's that it's coming from a players association that has no relationship with the league.

Can players be members of both?

After AAF canceled and XFL canceled 2020, 2021 and holds 2022. Players are gun shy.

[Tank55]

If they were putting out information on what they're hearing about the XFL, that would be one thing. But again, the CFLPA already exists. I'd love to know how they feel about this. I'd think they'd be irritated, but maybe they don't mind a loose cannon saying the things that they can't.

[MarkNelson]

True that the CFL only answers to the CFLPA. But the UFPA claims to have inside information. That is what makes this so juicy.

I hope this story is a rumor gone wild, as I would love to see the CFL hit the field in some way this year. In case you did not know, I live in Winnipeg, and the latest news is our vaccination program should be done by July, which is around the normal kickoff of the CFL. It only remains to be seen whether the vaccines kick COVID butt.

[Coffeeeyes]

I doubt the CFL doesn't play in 2021. The league is fragile as it is and the messaging has been a lot more positive than it was last year. Therre's been too many signings, coach movements and news coming out to indicate to me that the CFL is going to give up.

I agree with previous comments that indicate it could be players being scared from previous league cancellations and seasons being stopped and the UFPA is taking that in the wrong way. Looking at their website, they want to be the players association for any new spring leagues that start up, I don't trust them that much.

[Red Head]

Would not bet the first time a US Union took a run a Canadian one. Or any union at another one. They are businesses unto themselves and like all businesses want / need to expand to stay in business ( Sounds like the CFL / XFL).

Not sure who runs it as I had actually never heard of them before but would not be surprised if it is a couple of lawyers looking for new business. Stirring the pot hoping some players get spooked and jump aboard.

[GregParks]

Not sure who runs it as I had actually never heard of them before but would not be surprised if it is a couple of lawyers looking for new business. Stirring the pot hoping some players get spooked and jump aboard.

It's led by former Seattle Dragons RB Kenneth Farrow. Here are a couple stories we've had here on XFLBoard about the group:

https://xflboard.com/news/sportico-non- ... e-the-xfl/

https://xflboard.com/news/ufpa-a-collec ... l-players/

[GregParks]

Kenneth Farrow updated the UFPA's earlier statement with a seven-minute video, and included some of the things the UFPA has been doing in its first year of existence.

Also noted something I don't remember hearing before: Farrow claimed a tier system was put in place in the XFL where higher draft picks (didn't specify NFL or XFL draft pick, but seemed to indicate XFL) would get paid more, but it was changed the week before the season started to pay them less (not sure how that could be done because contracts were signed prior to minicamp). Anyway, the video is below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FUDROWOdA4

[Tank55]

He must mean XFL; he references himself as being a "#2 pick", and he was the Dragons' second pick in the skill player phase of the draft.

It sounds like he thought he was going to be a Tier 2 player and ended up being a Tier 3? I remember talk of that; I don't remember how it ended up shaking out. Were there tiers outside of the quarterbacks?

https://theathleteshub.org/xfls-player- ... explained/

[Tank55]

He's also walking this back a lot; now it's a "large possibility" rather than a "strong likelihood".

I wonder how much of this kerfuffle is due to the original statement being poorly worded.

[Tank55]

CFLPA communication sent directly to its members (fancy that):

There is an organization called the United Football Players Association (UFPA) purporting to have knowledge of the CFL, our bargaining, and the status of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. They do not!

The only credible information should come from your player reps or the CFLPA office directly.

Today’s statement by the UFPA has created unnecessary distraction as we remain focused on playing a 2021 season.

Our advice to you, when seeking information, is to contact the CFLPA office directly or your elected team player representatives.

https://3downnation.com/2021/03/16/cflp ... straction/