The Unknown Poster

Completely disagree. What's naive is any one group of the league, players or fans claiming that *they* are the league. The league requires all of them plus corporate sponsors plus TV partners to succeed. But there are lots of out of work football players. Alienating the fans is pure idiocy. Something like that hashtag comes across as arrogant. I hate CBA negotiations. I hate them on this level. I hate them on my companies level. I hate them. Nothing shows grown adults' true inner child like CBA negotiations.

Are they really using #wearetheleague?? Another great way to alienate fans. If the players have any hill to die on, I hope they dont mind dying. In the CFL, the league is in the drivers seat and has made a reasonable offer. Players have to counter reasonably and put this thing to bed.

Doesnt the TSN deal increase by $1 million per year for 5 years? So cap is $4.4 right now. Here's my offer: Immediate increase to $4.9 ($500,000 increase), with $200,000 increases every year of a 5 year deal. Takes it to $5.6 million at the end of the deal. And gives the players 20% of the yearly increase in the TV deal after year one.

So Toronto can pay a QB $1 million and then ask the rest of the league to cover their debt?

Players are always strong at this point. Brotherhood and all that *rolls eyes*. Im certainly not a union guy but I believe they have their place and workforce deserves fair compensation. The CFL has made a fair offer. Like someone else said, when was the last time your boss offered you a 10% raise and a $3000 signing bonus?

PA has to realise a few things. Firstly, they reality of the CFL. Things might seem great now but are still shakey in some places, including KEY places like Toronto. The CFL was on deaths door not too long ago. A lot of team owners and communities spent a lot of money making sure their franchises and the league survived. The League and owners deserve to have some financial stability and create rainy day funds. As Cohon said, there is significant investment being made to venues across the league. They also must realise that the CFL players are, for the most part, interchangeable. Fans value the league. A player may play one game and be gone. Our team is here, hopefully, forever. I think fans accept that a football players career is a short one. Making $92,000 sounds great but if you spend the bulk of your 20's trying to get there, arrive and play for two years and are out of the sport at 30 thats not a lot of money to have made, it's not a significant nest egg. But thats the risk that comes with choosing the dream of being a pro athlete. If I'm a player, and I have to choose right now, I accept the CFL's offer. But knowing the PA can make a reasonable counter that will likely be acceptable to the league, do it and be done with it. I hope the CFL sticks to their guns on the bonus though. Sign the deal by June 2nd or bonuses are off the table. Also I love that I know much more about the CFL's negotiations with their Union than I do about my own union's negotiations. It's like the 1950's over here.

I can see players liking that $3000. I mean, sign a deal, get a raise, get $3000 or potentially strike and lose money and even when the fight is over, unless you somehow think you're going to break the CFL, you're never going to recoup what you lost, let alone the bonus money. PA should make a *reasonable* counter offer and get the deal done. And the PA should instruct the players to stop commenting publicly because thats the quickest way to get public sentiment against you. Athletes telling average fans that $92,000 a year just isnt enough.

Clerks was an over-rated, over hyped amateur hour production. Chasing Amy was the best thing Smith ever did.

Well that makes more sense. I didnt hear the interview, only the aftermath. I also am excited to see Petan. Im curious what the Jets will do with him as he seems too good to go back to junior but I believe his age prevents the Jets from assigning him to the Caps (or am I wrong about that?). I know Morrissey is in that position (and I have a feeling JM will make the Jets).

Lawless wrote a very informative balanced story. Friesen wrote a much shorter and negative story. Which one is the professional? I try not to bash these guys but after Friesen read lawless' story wasn't he embarrassed at submitting his?

I suppose if you can actually play on the NHL after 40 you likely fall in the excellent category by default.

The players ask is ludicrous. But that collective bargaining nowadays. Bunch of grown adults get in a room and act like children and insult each other. Deal eventually gets done and they pose in front of camera like old friends

No but you do here GMs say that's a coaches decision or he expects everyone to improve or no comment or whatever. Jackets GM has no problem saying Umburger wants out and he will facilitate a trade. That certainly doesn't help his trade value.

Nate said there were only two players who were excellent between ages 40 and 50. I'm suggesting Selanne should be consisted too.

Lots of football players out there who want to play. If it ever came down to an extended strike the cfl could waive the non import rule and invite replacements. But it won't come to that. Neither side is that stupid especially the players who aren't going to miss several weeks pay to get a raise that won't even benefit them until next season and how many would risk not being back next season to reap the rewards of striking? Just not worth it

H&L were talking about this tonight. Players have a new proposal to submit tomorrow that asks for revenue sharing of 40-50% with year one being $7 million. It will escalate from there. According to Lawless Bombers had about $23 million in revenue this past hear. Minus concert revenue it's still over $20 million. So players want a $10 million cap? Never in a million years.

Generally I like Pavs. I *want* him to suceed. But you cant argue with the numbers. He must be better. Also, in NHL14, he is dreadful. I'm on year three and Hutch is only 2 ratings points back (and Hutch is pretty awful too). I tried to trade for Reimer but TO wouldnt take Pavs.

You could make it Frolik instead of Ladd. Frolik can play centre. Either way, not happening. So what do the Jets do about goaltending? Chevy is on record saying Pavs is the starting goalie next season. Lets break this down. If Pavs is starting, who's the back up? They seem to want someone that can play upwards of 20 games a season. Is that Montoya? Others think Hutch can be the back up as part of his development but given Pavs' struggles would the Jets really take a chance on Hutch? And what happens if Pavs gets hurt? Suddenly we have Hutch starting and who backing up? I think they still want a veteran there. Question is, do they want a veteran who simply pays when Pavs wants a day off or a veteran who can push Pavs? I doubt Pavs ever felt threatened by Montoya and regardless of how well he played, the Jets seemed unwilling to let Montoya be anything more than Pavs' relief. There will be some goalies changing addresses next season. The big one now is Ryan Miller. It would seem exceptionally unlikely we'd have a chance at Miller. But the Pens are rumoured to be interested. They would then need to trade MAF. Would we be interested in MAF? (I would be). Not sure his trade clause scenario. We know Pens and Jets have talked before. Pens want Wheeler. I'm reluctant to trade Wheeler. It would depend on the market value for MAF. I would think the Pens would want top six winger or bottom six depth. Neither of which we really to spare unless Ladd or Frolik is on the table. Other goalies to consider would be someone like Hillier.

I I like that Mike likes this... I like that Jimmypop and the unknown poster like that you like Mike liking this. generally I scroll down for the Mike post before i decide how I feel about most things concerning talent for the Bombers.

There certainly seems to be an air of increased talent around the team this year. Let's hope its the case. Also excited to see what Wade Miller might bring to the fan experience (would like to see more tailgate-like options before the game - enticing fans to start showing up earlier will help traffic issues and put more money into the kitty - would also love to see the area behind the stadium developed into a park/gathering place/pre-game event centre but I doubt this is in the card).

You should send a case to Sammy. He'll know what to do with it.

I think its simply because the discussion expanded beyond the specifics of Michael Sam and into homophobia itself, which is timely with Pride coming up at the end of the month. Its unfortunate that some people get carried away (like implying that straight people cant defend gay people unless they are also gay, which got the other thread rightfully locked). Its a shame ignorance is so prevalent but thats unlikely to ever change. But I dont disagree with you point. Like I told Brandon, if he wants to debate the seediness of wrestling, there is a wrestling thread (and though he specifically mentioned Eugene, I figured he'd point fingers at more relevent characters like Adrian Adonis, Billy & Chuck, Goldust, Lodi, Rico, etc)

You're kidding right? I mean you have to be. Forgetting for a moment your effort to attack my position by attacking my involvement in wrestling which has nothing to do with this discussion (and simply indicates your inability to reasonably and intelligently make your point), you cant compare scripted entertainment to real world statements. I bet you get offended everytime you see something "offensive" in a move or TV show too right? Also, Im curious as to why you think the Eugene character was making fun of a mentally ill person....? PS: As I've said before, anyone who wants to debate wrestling, by all means, go comment in the wrestling thread and Ill be happy to discuss it.

I know virtually nothing about wine but I have developed an affinity for red (at a decent restaurant I will usually order a glass of house red which ranges from good to swill depending on where you go). My go-to wine lately is Coppola red diamond collection. About $20 at the LC. Very good.

Well I would argue the point in the article that refers to milk as "basic nutrition" but lets not open up that can of worms again Then again didnt one Manitoba MLA refer to Cheese Whiz as basic nutrition when discussing how northern residents can get their calcium?