Contract talks between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the agent for linebacker Andy Mulumba don’t seem to be going particularly well.
Tom Tafelski took shots at Bombers general manager Kyle Walters and chastised the CFL for a “lack of professionalism” in comments to the Winnipeg Free Press‘ Mike Sawatzky last week.
Mulumba, Winnipeg’s No. 2 overall choice in the 2013 CFL Draft, was released by the Los Angeles Rams on September 2. He played 22 games and made three starts after signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2013.
The Bombers still retain the 27-year-olds’ rights, meaning Mulumba has very little leverage when it comes to the CFL.
That didn’t stop the Tafelski – a Dearborn, Michigan city councillor who is currently running for mayor – from slamming the Bombers’ approach to negotiations and asking for a trade. Via Sawatzky:
“There’s been zero contact. They came back with an offer that was just (too low). Andy’s saying basically if this is the case, he’s going to retire. They can trade him or he’s going to retire. I have not heard back from Kyle, so I guess the matter is closed…. He would like to play. We’ve had some calls from NFL teams, injury situations for some teams. But he wants to play and we realize the importance of playing. If Winnipeg doesn’t want him, we ask that he trade his rights.”
According to Tafelski, one of the sticking points is the length of contract. Many recent top CFL draft picks have signed three-year contracts (two years plus a team held option) but Tafelski says Mulumba doesn’t want to do that – likely so he can try the NFL again as soon as possible.
“We don’t want to get into a three-year deal. We want amicable terms and an amicable deal. Because what they want to do is string it out for a three-year deal. But he’s not going to do that. It doesn’t make sense what they’re offering and the fact there’s a lack of communication. He’s prepared to retire and go a different direction. This guy’s a smart man, an intelligent man. Great business acumen and especially international business acumen and he can do a lot of things. That’s where he would look to start a (new) career.”
Tafelski, who is not on the CFLPA’s list of registered contract advisors, finished up with some shots at the league as a whole.
“The lack of professionalism in the CFL is why the CFL is the CFL and always will be the CFL. It’s portrayed (that way) by the agent world and the athletic world… OK, here you go. Don’t have time for dialogue. It’s a lack of professionalism. I don’t care if you print that or not.”
