(File photo/CKOM)

By CKOM

Federal gov’t turns down CFL request for $30M loan: Reports

Aug 17, 2020 | 9:51 AM

Multiple media reports Sunday said the Canadian government had turned down the CFL’s request for a $30-million interest-free loan.

The league approached the government for the loan in hopes of staging a shortened 2020 season. It’s unclear what the decision reportedly made on the weekend might mean for the CFL, but the league has said it likely won’t be able to hold a campaign without financial assistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the CFL to delay training camps, the pre-season and the start of the regular season. The league pulled the 2020 Grey Cup from Regina’s Mosaic Stadium in its initial plans for a shortened season, moving the game in Regina to 2022.

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The league then proposed holding a shortened season in a hub city — Winnipeg eventually was selected — but said it needed help from the federal government to hold the season.

The CFL and health officials from the federal government had been going over the league’s plan for a return to play, but the decision reported Sunday could mean the cancellation of the entire campaign.

The CFL’s board of governors could determine the fate of the season today. If the league decides to cancel, it will mark the first time the Grey Cup is not awarded since 1919.

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