Riders’ Jon Ryan: ‘slap in the face’ Randy Ambrosie didn’t include players in government presentation

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Jon Ryan felt CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie delivered a blow to the players by not having representation during his presentation to the Canadian government.

“Ambrosie going in front of the government and not bringing any players, not bringing any reps from the PA, I thought personally it was a bit of a slap in the face,” Ryan said on the Growing The Game podcast with Michael Ball.

“The players are what make this league go and to not include the players in that was I thought a little bit ridiculous.”

During Ambrosie’s presentation to the standing committee on finance, the financial details left a lot to be desired and there was no player involvement. The CFL commish asked for up to $150 million in coronavirus financial aid. $30 million in working capital to maintain operations through the crisis and estimated the league could need as much as an additional $120 million over the next two years — if the most negative scenarios, all of them, come true.

The CFL Player’s Association has been keeping Ryan and the rest of the union membership updated regarding the latest amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Riders’ CFLPA player representative is kicker Brett Lauther and the president is linebacker Solomon Elimimian.

“We’re at the mercy of the spread of this virus,” Saskatchewan’s homegrown punter said.

The regular season was scheduled to kick-off on Thursday, June 11, but Ambrosie has stated the schedule won’t start before the beginning of July. And it will be later as various cities have banned large gatherings throughout the summer until September. 

If there is no season in 2020, it’s estimated the CFL could lose approximately $100 million.