CFL To Ban Suspended NFL Players Beginning In 2007 (1 Viewer)

[datonn]

Thought this one was interesting, on the heels of Ricky Williams and Onterrio Smith. From the Footballguys.com News Blogger

Canadian Football League commissioner Tom Wright announced on Thursday that the league would bar suspended NFL players from participating in the CFL beginning in 2007.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/greycup/story/200.../cfl-rules.html

 

[Riffraff]

Wonder if it was (unofficially) a result of "political/business" pressure from the NFL.

NFL can't legally force a player to give up their livelihood of playing football. But with the CFL making the announcement and rule change, players can't toke up and just say "see ya next year while I go play in Canada."

Doesn't specifically address if a player is permanently banned for life from the NFL. Just talks about suspended. Would be really interesting if that were the case as well.

 

[thatguy]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if the NFL had a hand in this. It has certainly become a very powerful entity.

 

[BassNBrew]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if the NFL had a hand in this. It has certainly become a very powerful entity.

They're swimming in some dangerous water with Congress sniffing around.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I don't follow the CFL at all (...who does?) -- but how big of stars are players like RW and Whizz up there? Seems like they'd have somedraw power/ticket sales value to the league.

 

[ChampBailey24]

I don't follow the CFL at all (...who does?) -- but how big of stars are players like RW and Whizz up there? Seems like they'd have somedraw power/ticket sales value to the league.

There was a lot of hype with Williams but he's been injured and hasn't been that impressive. But for the first half of the season, people did buy tickets just to see RW. Oh and the Grey Cup is Sunday - My Alouettes vs the BC Lions.

 

[Smeagol]

I don't follow the CFL at all (...who does?) -- but how big of stars are players like RW and Whizz up there? Seems like they'd have somedraw power/ticket sales value to the league.

There was a lot of hype with Williams but he's been injured and hasn't been that impressive. But for the first half of the season, people did buy tickets just to see RW. Oh and the Grey Cup is Sunday - My Alouettes vs the BC Lions.

BC baby!!!

 

[Sack-Religious]

I don't follow the CFL at all (...who does?) -- but how big of stars are players like RW and Whizz up there? Seems like they'd have somedraw power/ticket sales value to the league.

IRRC, Whizz was cut before the season started. Ricky Williams has been OK, but not nearly as dominant as many thought he'd be. Maybe if he'd have been healthy the whole season things would have been different, though.

 

[428143]

Boooo to the CFL...go suck on the NFL's teet...

Give Toronto an NFL franchise already....

 

[fatness]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if the NFL had a hand in this. It has certainly become a very powerful entity.

From the article:

The CFL says one of the reasons for the ban is to maintain a good relationship with the NFL.

In other words, not suspending those players was creating a bad relationship with the NFL. So the NFL is exempt from antitrust laws, but they can pressure businesses in other countries to do what they want?

 

[JayMan]

I think we have to look at the big picutre to understand this move...

Toronto is trying to get an NFL team if/when there will be an expansion or relocation...

Montreal / Vancouver / Edmonton have venues that could host a NFL regular season game when this "experiment" begins...

Don't you think that saying to your Big Brother "I won't let guys, that you have suspended, play in my backyard" is a good way to not get smack behind the head when he feels like it?...

---

It's a good example of the Nash principle... you cooperate with others only if it helps you in return...

 

[brianj74]

BC by a lot this weekend.