CBA Talk is Getting Tiresome – Alex’s Tuesday Takes

CBA Talk is Getting Tiresome – Alex’s Tuesday Takes

Published: Monday, Jan 14th 2019, 11:01pm

by Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD)

 

 

BUSINESS DOESN’T STOP

All this talk from players and fans about a lack of a CBA is starting to piss me off and it’s tiring me out. For the record, I want the players to get their money. I want a fair deal for both the league and their players, but we all know that doesn’t happen. The league wins every single time and will likely win again this time around. I like and respect the fact that there are plenty of players taking this seriously this time around. Maybe that’s because they are all on Twitter now, but it’s good to see them be vocal. Offensive Lineman for the Calgary Stampeders, Derek Dennis has been the most vocal about this whole situation on Twitter and a lot of the responses he gets turn into some really great discussions. The others… well, some people just don’t get it.

 

There IS a current CBA. It is in place until the day before training camp starts. This is a fact. Also fact, is that the last CBA wasn’t ratified until June 13^th. Nothing like waiting until the final minutes, guys… Now, I’d like to see that happen MUCH sooner this time around (and I believe it will), but it will come close to training camp… as it should. Both sides should get as much time as possible to negotiate the best deal for both. The league can’t afford a work stoppage and I think both sides understand that and that leads me to believe that the new CBA will be agreed upon shortly after the CFL Draft.

 

I saw a reply to one of Dennis’ many tweets about the lack of a CBA getting done that said “No way free agency should be starting before they even speak a word about an agreement!” Well… no. You clearly haven’t worked in a union before. While there is no agreement and there is no strike, you typically continue to work under the old one. But we haven’t even gotten to that point yet. The league still has to continue their business. Think of it like a grocery store… they don’t close down 3 months before their CBA runs out, they still order stock and go on with business as usual. So the league shouldn’t look at expanding their international brand with the CFL 2.0 initiative? The league isn’t allowed to *GASP* DO MORE THAN ONE THING AT A TIME? Give me a break… Could you imagine if no contracts got negotiated and signed until after a CBA was reached THE DAY BEFORE TRAINING CAMP was set to open? Scrambling like that would be an absolute gong show.

 

Instead, the CFL is the same as any other business and must keep the show running. Should players wait until there is a new CBA to be reached to negotiate a new contract so they know what piece of the pie they could get? Sure! If you want to take the risk of getting priced OUT of the market once teams start establishing their rosters. It comes with risk, that’s why some players want to sign now. They don’t like the politics of it all and they just want to play football.

 

Now, I’m not going to say I know everything about collective bargaining, because I don’t. I know that. What I do know is that I’m getting tired of seeing people talk with their heart instead of their head when it comes to the CBA. I know we all love our players and we want them to make a bazillion dollars (without paying more for ticket prices, right?), but take the emotion out of it for a minute… or at least, keep it off of social media. My head hurts when I see it now.

 

As for Derek Dennis, I love that you are passionate about this. I enjoy that you are willing to share your story with people, but, sorry, you are complaining to the wrong people. Go to your team rep with your concerns. It’s their job to present that to the league and negotiate for you. Now, if it’s true that the league is withholding your bonus, that’s garbage and I understand your anger towards it, but complaining on Twitter won’t get it for you. Find a lawyer.

 

As for the CBA (or lack of one), Aaron Rodgers said it best… “R-E-L-A-X. Relax.” It’ll get done. It always does. I get the frustration, I’m frustrated too. I want a deal done ASAP too so we can just look forward to the 2019 season. We all knew that this offseason was going to be ugly between the league and the players. Well, here it is in the flesh. It’s not going to get prettier any time soon.