It was recently reported that there could be a small number of fans at an NHL playoff game between the Maple Leafs and hosting Canadiens.
It's a step in the right direction when thinking down the line about the CFL. Having fans in attendance is a key part of the Canadian Football experience, and is one of the biggest contributors to the league's bottom line. They're allowing fans at the indoor facility in May, which is huge for fall football outside.
"Since the presence of a certain number of fans in the stands is essential for the Alouettes to return to play, today's announcements is a step in the right direction considering that the team's first home game (in Montreal) would most likely take place in September," the Alouettes said in a statement."
Alouettes Team Statement
There's still a lot in the air about the season. Whether or not the league will make the set date of an August 5th start, is still to be determined.
Players are set to hit camp the 1st week of July as of now, but the date is still fluid. Former Argos RB, Karlos Williams stated players were getting updates on a weekly basis in a recent interview, so we still could see changes.
Recently, Alouettes QB Vernon Adams announced via Twitter that he has been vaccinated, which is a major step on all sides in getting this season kicked off.
Vaccination numbers loom large for getting the season started. Different provinces have different requirements, and not all are as optimistic, or in the same space as Montreal. But, this is big news. The CFL can't afford to miss another year.
CFL teams only receive $5.6M in yearly TV revenue, and since only the three "community-owned" teams release their books, we know that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton collected 45%-55% from the ticket gates.
The players have already had to face a paycut, playing in empty, or reduced capacity stadiums likely means more money taken from them. Owners will most likely not approve anything that means they lose more money; even if it means they play football.
The Toronto Sun reports that:
"Many of those same players were then hit with “restructuring” demands from their CFL teams in late 2020 or earlier this year. Twenty percent salary reductions were commonplace for those who agreed to help their cash-strapped teams out by tearing up existing deals, while players who refused were released into free agency, where the hits just kept on coming."
Toronto Sun
The CFL lost 2020 because of the pandemic, and there is still fear that this season won't be played either. But this is a big bump in positivity for getting 2021 started, so there's some reason for optimism.