As expected, the CFL announced a postponement to the 2021 season on Wednesday.
The plan is for the league to have a 14-game season starting August 5 with the Grey Cup going in Hamilton on December 12.
It is something both Riders president and CEO Craig Reynolds and CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie believe can and will happen,
Reynolds appeared on Saskatchewan’s #1 sports show, the Sportscage on Wednesday afternoon to talk about the announcement.
Reynolds feels the target date is extremely realistic and that Rider fans will be able to attend games however it may be at a reduced capacity and that the best way to possibly have a full Mosaic Stadium is by getting vaccinated when your turn comes.
Reynolds also let it be known that the team’s return-to-play proposal for football has been approved by Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, but the Mosaic Stadium reopening plan is still being looked at.
“This season will be played under rigorous health protocols for our fans in the stands and for our players both on and off the field,” Reynolds said. “All of this is being done to ensure we can keep everyone safe. It is our number one priority.”
As for the team’s finances, it is as one would think it is with Reynolds describing it as bleak. The actual losses will be revealed at the team’s annual general meeting in June.
As for Ambrosie, he was also a guest of Derek Taylor’s on “Sportscage”. He talked about the fact that the Grey Cup will go in Hamilton on December 12 which is a couple of weeks later than the usual date for the title game. Ambrosie says it was something the players wanted which he was very appreciative of as it gives the league more time to play games. Ambrosie added the league will do whatever it can to make sure this happens.
“The one thing I am hearing from our teams and one thing I am confident in when I talk to the players and one thing I am certain of from our fans is they want us to have a 2021 season and they want us to crown a Grey Cup champion on December 12.” Ambrosie said. “We are going to do everything we can to make this happen and that we will see some of the best football we have seen played in our league in years.”
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