Multiple reports say CFL loan has been denied, shortened 2020 season in jeopardy

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The Canadian Football League has been denied its request for a $30 million interest-free loan, putting the chances of playing a shortened 2020 season in serious jeopardy.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/08/2020 (1496 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Canadian Football League has been denied its request for a $30 million interest-free loan, putting the chances of playing a shortened 2020 season in serious jeopardy.

According to multiple reports late Sunday, including from TSN’s Dave Naylor and 3downnation’s Justin Dunk, the CFL was made aware this weekend that they wouldn’t be receiving the loan – money that was viewed as a last-ditch effort to save this season. League commissioner Randy Ambrosie, as well as Winnipeg Football Club president and CEO Wade Miller, have both stated that in order for the CFL to survive this year it required government assistance.

In May, the league requested as much as $150 million in the event of a lost season owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some teams have suggested a loss of as high as $10 million if a season isn’t played this year.

Footballs from the Canadian Football League are photographed at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 24, 2018. Even if the CFL plays an abbreviated '20 season in a hub city under the strictest of health-and-safety guidelines, an infectious diseases doctor believes there will still be positive tests for the novel coronavirus that could force the league play to end abruptly. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Footballs from the Canadian Football League are photographed at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 24, 2018. Even if the CFL plays an abbreviated '20 season in a hub city under the strictest of health-and-safety guidelines, an infectious diseases doctor believes there will still be positive tests for the novel coronavirus that could force the league play to end abruptly. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

The CFL has not confirmed the reports, nor has it issued a statement updating the status of a 2020 campaign. The league was hoping to stage a six-game regular season, eight-team playoff to be played in Winnipeg as the official hub city.

It’s unclear where the CFL can go from here. According to reports, the government remains open to talking about ways to support the league in 2021 and beyond. The CFL is expected to make a formal announcement Monday, with the real possibility of cancelling the 2020 season.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

After a slew of injuries playing hockey that included breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone; a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both knees; as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a good idea to take his interest in sports off the ice and in to the classroom.

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