Stampeders ‘optimistic’ Saturday’s preseason game vs. B.C. will go ahead despite CBA rejection

Photo courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders released a statement via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon expressing their optimism that Saturday’s preseason game against the B.C. Lions will go ahead as scheduled despite the lack of a new CBA.

We are optimistic that Saturday’s preseason game will be played as scheduled. Once we have further information, we will provide Stamps fans with further details.

John Hufnagel
President and General Manager

The CFL’s preseason is set to get underway on Friday evening with the Toronto Argonauts visiting the Ottawa Redblacks and the Edmonton Elks visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. B.C. is scheduled to visit Calgary the following day at 4:00 p.m ET.

If played, these will be the league’s first preseason games since 2019 as the delayed start to the 2021 season eliminated preseason games from the schedule.

The CFL Players’ Association went on strike for the first time in almost 50 years on Sunday, May 15 following the expiration of the previous CBA. The work stoppage came to an end on Wednesday when a tentative deal was agreed upon.

As per 3DownNation‘s John Hodge, the players voted down the agreement on Monday due to the proposed changes to the ratio, the lack of a ratification bonus, and revenue sharing not starting until the midway point of the agreement.

TSN is slated to televise four preseason CFL games as follows:

Friday, May 27 — Toronto Argonauts vs. Ottawa Redblacks at 7:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 31 — Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders at 8:30 p.m. ET

Friday, June 3 — Ottawa Redblacks vs. Montreal Alouettes at 7:00 p.m. ET

Friday, June 3 — Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. B.C. Lions at 10:00 p.m. ET