CFL schedules June 14 board of governors call to vote on proposed August 5 season start date

Photo courtesy: CFL

The Canadian Football League has zeroed in on a date to make a decision regarding the potential summer kick-off for a 2021 season.

According to TSN reporter Dave Naylor: The CFL has scheduled a board of governors call for Monday, June 14th, during which it’s expected there will be a vote on the proposed Aug. 5th start to the 2021 season. If approved, schedule release would come immediately afterward.

3DownNation insider Justin Dunk first reported the league telling the CFL Players’ Association direction on a 2021 season will be given no later than June 14. CFLPA president Solomon Elimimian sent a memo to update the membership on the latest happenings last week.

The CFL delayed its start date in April with a 14-game schedule targeted to kick-off on August 5, culminating in a currently planned December 12 Grey Cup. For the timeline to be met, the league requires ‘a significant number of fans’ to be allowed in stadiums by municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

The league and players’ union began meetings during the second week of February with a focus on playing football this year. The two sides have submitted return to play health and safety plans to various levels of government in Canada and are working to finalize the details in hopes of getting the final stamp from the nation’s capital.

After the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan a year ago, the board of governors voted to cancel the 2020 season. The CFL reportedly lost between $60 and $80 million in 2020 and are set to lose millions more if any kind of season is played in 2021.