Sources: Riders paying non-roster players

After Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell lifted the lid on the Riders roster recon in Riderville, more information is emerging about Saskatchewan’s off-the-books player program.

Sources say the Riders have two houses where the extra players are living and that players are being paid by the club. Non-rostered quarterbacks receive $1,000 per week while everyone else gets $300.

Both the housing arrangements and payments would be clear violations of CFL rules. Teams are allowed to have a 46-man active roster and 10 players on the practice roster. Those PR athletes must sign an agreement that entitles them to a minimum of $750 per week plus housing or a housing allowance.

Players who are not under contract cannot practice with the team and by paying players off the books, the Riders are circumventing the CFL’s $5.1-million salary cap.

While Mitchell started the current firestorm with a series of tweets Tuesday night, it wasn’t the first time he’d made his concerns public. Back in June, Mitchell put out a cryptic tweet after the Roughriders officially announced the signing of Buddy Jackson on June 21.

The Roughriders announced today int'l DB, Buddy Jackson has signed with the team.

Details–>https://t.co/e9ptHJH8lg pic.twitter.com/MPk6k9rfL5

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) June 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/BoLeviMitchell/status/745719754246098945

Calgary’s franchise pivot appeared to be correct. Jackson posted on social media looking for a bike during training camp and working out in Riders gear long before he put pen to paper.

New Beginnings, New Blessings! #RiderNation im looking for a bike for training camp, can somebody help me out? God Bless! #Saskatoon #CFLTC

— Buddy Jackson (@Buddy_Island38) June 7, 2016

CFL officials were in Regina last week and the league has said it is investigating Mitchell’s claims.