The Green Zone: Riders' Jeremy O'Day preparing for 2025
2h ago
O'Day discusses Trevor Harris and changes to be made to get the Riders back to the Grey Cup.
Multiple media reports Sunday said the Canadian government had turned down the CFL’s request for a $30-million, interest-free loan.
The league approached the feds for the loan in hopes of staging a shortened 2020 season. It’s unclear what the decision reportedly made on the weekend might mean for the CFL, but the league has said it likely won’t be able to hold a campaign without financial assistance.
Federal source says government has denied @CFL‘s request for $30 million loan to be directed towards shortened 2020 season. It has committed to work with the league to see what role it can play in its viability beyond ’20. CFL’s BOG could determine fate of season on Mon. #CFL
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) August 17, 2020
BREAKING: Canadian federal government won't provide #CFL-specific financial package for 2020 season https://t.co/w61vUwdyCJ #CANPoli #Canada #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Vh0JR9cOdG
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) August 17, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the CFL to delay training camps, the pre-season and the start of the regular season. The league pulled the 2020 Grey Cup from Regina’s Mosaic Stadium in its initial plans for a shortened season, moving the game in Regina to 2022.
The league then proposed holding a shortened season in a hub city — Winnipeg eventually was selected — but said it needed help from the federal government to hold the season.
The CFL and health officials from the federal government had been going over the league’s plan for a return to play, but the decision reported Sunday could mean the cancellation of the entire campaign.