All signs last week pointed towards a brand new collective bargaining agreement being ratified between the CFL and the CFL Players’ Association. Not anymore.

On Monday the previously agreed upon deal was struck down by the player membership. This comes despite the agreement being signed off by the bargaining committee and team player reps. The conditions were not satisfactory and now both sides return t to the table to avoid more missed training camp dates and a ongoing players’ strike. 

This decision came even as CFL players were actively training on the field, unaware of what was transpiring behind closed doors.

Naylor went on to highlight that this voting does not include rookies are they are precluded from voting among the union. This decision comes following an agreement that was tentatively reached last Wednesday. Several key issues have been brought to the table by the CFLPA including guaranteed money in player contracts and the Canadian ratio among starters and reserves. The ratio in particular is a sticking point for Canadian players and factored into this agreement’s down vote.

The CFL’s preseason is set to kick off on May 27 with the regular season launching June 9.