gbill2004

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal. Really? How much taxpayer money did Sam Katz offer to get Rabb on the Board? You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal. Really? How much taxpayer money did Sam Katz offer to get Rabb on the Board? Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal.

@DarrinBauming: MT @MetroBee: Fielding asked about today's denial of cash for Bombers, Katz said Bombers in a robust cash situation and can afford to pay.

From Ed Tait: Canadian Football League Players' Association boss Scott Flory has studied lots of numbers lately, including those on the financial statement recently released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. So while the CFLPA and the league are set to resume talks towards a new collective bargaining agreement Wednesday in Toronto, Flory is convinced there is a way for everybody to get some -- and for the Bombers to make a profit AND meet their stadium-debt payments -- as part of a partnership that would include revenue sharing. "Let's remember the first $15 million (of the Bombers' stadium loan) is interest free," said Flory Monday from Montreal. "And that $2.9 million profit they announced (not-including one-time stadium costs) is affected by their payment of more than $1 million in coaches and management severance costs because those salaries were guaranteed. "I think it's important to understand there is no regulation on any part of their business other than player salary. They can spend what they want in every other aspect of their business except there's a cap on what players can earn. If we're going to regulate salaries then there has to be some connection as to how those salaries are linked to revenue." Flory reached out to CFL commissioner Mark Cohon on the weekend in an effort to get the two sides talking and, hopefully, negotiating again. The CFLPA also issued a 'Statement of Facts' on Sunday in which they clarified some of the numbers issued by the CFL in letters to fans and veteran players last week -- all part of the public posturing between the two sides that heated up after a winter of very little negotiating and with the current deal set to expire on Friday. Among the CFLPA's statement of facts, the players' union pointed out that the Bombers saw their revenues grow by $7.5M to $24.2M -- a rise of approximately 45 per cent -- and maintained their proposal provides for a salary cap based on 35 per cent of revenues based on 2013 financial statements and not including the new TSN TV revenue. Here are some of the key CFLPA takes heading into Wednesday's meeting, courtesy an interview Flory did with the Free Press on Monday: Q: Why did you feel it was important to reach out to the commissioner to get talks going again? Flory: "We haven't broken off talks and we've been consistent with our message from the start: we always want to meet and sit down and talk. At the end of the day we can't create a partnership or come to a solution if we're not in a room talking. That's why I called the commissioner." Q: There is a report the CFL wishes to proceed with training camps under the terms of their current agreement and will not lock the players out providing there is no strike. Do you have the results yet on a strike vote and is there a possibility camps could still open if negotiations are progressing? Flory: "We don't have the results from the strike vote yet. And I can't predict what might happen. We're going to wait until we get into the room and see if we can't work towards a solution where we are a partnership. A partnership is just that, it's not one side dictating terms to the other side." Q: Clearly the CFLPA had quite a bit of frustration with what unfolded last week, with the league pushing away from the table and then blitzing their message through the media and their website. But if the PA is pushing for revenue sharing and the league says it's a non-starter, how do you even begin to bridge that? Flory: "The difficult thing for us is we are supposed to be in a partnership. The players are the product on the field. What we're asking for in our initial proposal I think is pretty reasonable. "The models out there are for 50-50 of total revenue going to players' salaries. Our initial proposal called for a minimum of 35 per cent. People see how much this league has grown in the past four-five years and the growth pattern it is on and for our players not to share in that growth... it just doesn't make sense for our guys. They're part of the reason there are more ticket sales, sponsorship revenue and a new TV contract. "The business model out there works. You see it in the NFL, NHL, in the NBA... it works. There's still room for investment and growth. And when it grows, everybody wins. And when it goes down, we're prepared to do that because we understand the cyclical nature of the business. When it goes down, the cap will go down. That's the model that's out there and works, but we're just on a smaller scale." Q: A lot of NHL players were able to survive their labour impasse because they had months to get ready for it and earn significantly more than CFL players. You guys are regular Joes with mortgage payments and mouths to feed... how still if the resolve of the players? Flory: "Well, you just hit a nail on the head here. We ARE just regular Joes, we're not millionaires. What we're asking for isn't unreasonable. We think it's reasonable that our guys should be adequately compensated for what they do. "We have (strike payment) plans in place. We're going to keep those in house." Q: The CFL proposal called for a 12 per cent pay jump and increased minimum raise for the players. There's a lot of regular people out there who would kill for that kind of deal. Why isn't it enough? Flory: "First of all, their numbers are different than ours (the league states the average salary is $82,900; the CFLPA has the average at $71,700). I'm not sure what they put in to calculate their average salary. But it's important to remember that the 12 per cent is over the term of a five-year agreement and the cap increases will be eaten up by the jump in the minimum salary." Q: The league has made so much progress over the past few years. There seems to be a lot of anger from fans right now, perhaps many of them tired of the labour wars in the NHL, NFL and NBA over the last little while. Can this league really weather the backlash a work stoppage might bring? Flory: "That's a question I would ask you to pose to the league. We first met in February and we asked them before that for their financials in order to understand any proposal they put forward. It took us 3.5 months, only through the efforts of a conciliation officer, to get any financial information. We were asked to put forward a proposal and we did, two days after receiving those financials. This is part of a negotiating strategy and tactic and it's unfortunate because we should have been much further along in the process. "But I want to be clear: we want to come out with a fair deal and get our guys on the field and that's why I reached out to the commissioner on the weekend."

Wow...Gill's injury will take 3 months to heal. Gill the master of deception.

@PentonKirk: #Bombers sign 2 more draft picks, LB Jesse Briggs and DB Derek Jones. Deal close with C Matthias Goossen. He'll be at rookie camp.

@Darren_Cameron: #Bombers have signed 2014 Draft Choices, LB @jessebriggs34 and DB Derek Jones.

Neufeld's Nachos Bellefeuille's Borscht Soup Pencer's Poutine The Bucknor Burger Marve's Meatballs Pontbriand's Perogies Vega's Veggie Plater

Pretty sure it's part of his contract, included as an off the books source of income to outbid other teams in free agency.Well if it is part of his contract then it is not off the books... I didn't word it properly. Part of his informal understanding with the Bombers.

You think he's being paid that much since part of the proceeds goes to charity? I have no idea what he's getting paid, I just used $5k as an example.

Pretty sure it's part of his contract, included as an off the books source of income to outbid other teams in free agency. Are they paying him for the chips or with chips? Pretty sure it's part of his contract, included as an off the books source of income to outbid other teams in free agency. Are they paying him for the chips or with chips? My guess is he's getting a lump sum, say $5,000, to market the chips, plus a percentage of royalties. That's income for Moore that we used in negotiations that doesn't count as part of the cap. Smart move by the Bombers.

Pretty sure it's part of his contract, included as an off the books source of income to outbid other teams in free agency.

Correct. Rookie camp should proceed as scheduled, regardless of CBA negotiations.

Roughrider fan in the jersey: Wooooohooooo!!! Man am I so drunk!! GO RIDERS!!! Woooooooooo!!!! His friends in the picture looking at him: Why is he acting like that....he's drinking O'Douls?

From the CFLPA: http://proplayers.ca/news/news/2014/05/25/cflpa-statement-to-facts CFLPA Statement to Facts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday, May 25, 2014 CFLPA Statement to Facts (STONEY CREEK, ON) The CFL Players' Association and President Scott Flory feel that it is important to clarify a number of points and outline specific information from 3 separate documents issued by the CFL. The first was a direct letter to every Veteran Player, the second "An Open Letter to Canadian Football League fans" and the third "CBA Myths and Facts", the latter 2 posted directly to cfl.ca. I have also included other information as per the links below, where the League has made statements that are now contrary to their negotiating position. In spite of the League ambushing the PA Executive and strategically breaking the trust of our media agreement during our last attempt to negotiate a new deal on Wednesday May 21st, the CFLPA Executive Negotiation Committee have utilized our time wisely and are now anxious to get back behind closed doors to negotiate in good faith, a deal that will get both parties a fair and equitable CBA that will stand for many years to come. FACT: Mark Cohon boasts about 6 of 8 healthy franchises at Grey Cup 2012. FACT: Players' salaries are the only regulated form of spending on the teams. Profitability varies due to differing business models, which is why our proposal is based on revenue. FACT: The Commissioners argument that we cannot compare ourselves to the other major professional sports leagues is just not true, we are all the same, just on a different scale. Their real issue isn't a salary cap tied to revenue, it's a league wide system of revenue sharing so all the teams can exist through good times and bad. FACT: Our initial monetary proposal would still allow for a distribution of an additional $1M per Club. FACT: Winnipeg's revenues grew by $7.5M to $24.2M with a new stadium, a rise of approximately 45%. We can only assume Hamilton?s and Ottawa?s revenues will be comparable. FACT: The standard set by the other North American sports leagues is the salary cap is approx. 50% of total gross revenue. Our initial ask is for 25.7% of Winnipeg?s revenue, 33.6% of Edmonton?s revenue, and 18% of Saskatchewan's revenue! FACT: Our proposal provides for a salary cap of 35% of revenues. This percentage is based on a league wide average that excludes the high and low teams as outlined in the 2013 financial statements provided by the CFL. This does not include the new TSN TV revenue!!!! Scott Flory - CFL Players' Association - President For more information on the CFLPA, please visit www.cflpa.com. Media Enquiries: Deanne Mitchell CFLPA 1.800.616.6865 x204 d.mitchell@cflpa.com

@CFLPA: #CFLPA president Scott Flory has confirmed with @canadiancommish that CBA negotiations shall resume Wednesday: http://t.co/sIbKFw2J10

You accidentally posted a message intended for your mom in this forum. Just FYI.

Squatting 645lbs wow! He seems quick off the snap but his lateral speed seems slow. I think he would make a better OL then a DL but whatever the coaches want to use him for I'm sure they will figure that out. Bombers have him listed on the roster as an OL.

Check this out: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TyiQm8GSsoo.

I'm actually, generally, a big union supporter, but I feel the owners most recent offer was fair. I also understand that revenue sharing doesn't work in markets like Winnipeg, where the taxpayers will end up funding the losses for teams like Toronto and Hamilton. Once all teams are making a strong profit, then revenue sharing might work. I feel right now the PA is just being greedy and I don't support that. I'm also a fan and I want training camp to begin on time.

@andrewharris33: My apologies to fellow @CFLPA members. Lesson learned when putting the heart of one ahead of business for all. #united

@PentonKirk: #Bombers have signed draft picks OL Quinn Everett and LB Aram Eisho. Also added import DB Kamaal McIlwain. I'm pretty pumped to see Everett develop as an OL under Wylie.

Pretty sure this is directed at Andrew Harris: @24Banks: Some people that play in the CFL need to learn how to zip their lips when it comes to the CBA. Let the qualified handle the talking. PERIOD

Yes. Is your google broken? He played for Hamilton, Edmonton, Toronto, and Calgary as a special teamer. On a side note, D I C K Assman from Regina, Sk (I believe no relation) made celebrity status in North America in the mid-nineties. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Assman His parents must have a great sense of humor to name him that!

Proctologist.