Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says the CFL remains committed to returning in 2021, but is leaving the door wide open regarding exactly how that will look.

The CFL didnB次元官网网址檛 play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for an abbreviated season were shelved in August after the league failed to secure a $30-million, interest-free loan from the federal government.

The CFL unveiled a full 18-game schedule for all nine teams last November, one that Ambrosie said it remains on track for in 2021. However, the commissioner added the league is keeping all of its options B次元官网网址� including teams playing fewer than 18 games B次元官网网址� open.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got a schedule in place and weB次元官网网址檙e committed to it,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie told The Canadian Press. B次元官网网址淥ur real focus is on all the planning thatB次元官网网址檚 going to have to go into executing against that and also having maximum adaptability because thereB次元官网网址檚 no doubt weB次元官网网址檙e going to have to make adjustments to our plan.

B次元官网网址淲e just need to be ready at a momentB次元官网网址檚 notice to make those adjustments B次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 really how weB次元官网网址檙e planning our business. WeB次元官网网址檙e committed to being on the field in 2021 B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e just keeping all of our avenues open.B次元官网网址�

The CFL made repeated pitches to Ottawa last year for funding it maintained was essential for an abbreviated season. Ambrosie repeatedly stated the league had collectively lost around $20 million in 2019 and a source familiar with the situation said the CFL lost between $60 and $80 million by not playing in 2020.

The source was granted anonymity because the league has not revealed its financial results for 2020.

The reported losses would suggest the CFL B次元官网网址� which is essentially a gate-driven league and generates limited revenues by not playing B次元官网网址� could have to approach government again for assistance in order to get back up and running. Ambrosie said while the league has maintained dialogue with the government since August, itB次元官网网址檚 not basing a return to play solely upon securing financial assistance from Ottawa.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the things we take away from 2020 is weB次元官网网址檙e trying not to hinge our future on any one issue,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking at our solutions holistically, weB次元官网网址檙e being as creative as we can be on any one of a number of fronts so that we find a way to play.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e certainly, like almost all businesses, wearing the battle scars of what has been a very, very difficult time. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why weB次元官网网址檝e been focused on looking for as many creative solutions to potential revenue streams and funding solutions B次元官网网址� in the end I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a combination of several things that will fall into place and thatB次元官网网址檚 why weB次元官网网址檙e focusing on creativity and thoroughness.B次元官网网址�

But thereB次元官网网址檚 no denying the importance of fans in the stands for CFL teams. So pushing back the start of the season until August or September could allow for more Canadians to receive their COVID-19 vaccination and thus be able to attend games.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e taking a very committed, very pragmatic approach to this,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to play in 2021, weB次元官网网址檙e just going to find a way.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of being ready and flexible to so that we play a lot of football this year and ultimately culminate in a great Grey Cup game in Hamilton.B次元官网网址�

Another key element of the CFLB次元官网网址檚 2020 plan was the adoption of a health-and-safety plan that it ultimately presented to the Public Health Agency of Canada for approval. Ambrosie said those protocols are currently being amended and tweaked for another presentation to Canadian health officials.

B次元官网网址淲e had a pretty good playbook for health and safety but itB次元官网网址檚 going to have to be reviewed thoroughly and refreshed,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no doubt government is going to be involved ultimately in the approval of our return-to-play plan.

B次元官网网址淪o you try to look at it from every stakeholdersB次元官网网址� point of view and make sure when you get to that time of presentation that you have the best possible chance of getting approval.B次元官网网址�

The CFL is also watching with interest how the NHL operates this winter. The league is running with four separate divisions, including all seven of its Canadian franchises playing in the North Division and only playing against each other.

Last year, the CFL eyed having all of its nine teams playing in one division in Winnipeg, its proposed hub city. The 2021 schedule is calling for games to be played in all nine stadiums across Canada.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e watching closely (the NHL) for their experience and what theyB次元官网网址檙e learning,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e received tremendous support from all leagues, including the NHL, just to really help us think through the challenges we might face through the lens of what theyB次元官网网址檙e currently facing.B次元官网网址�

The CFL and CFL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association have also resumed meeting on return-to-play matters, although Ambrosie said the two sides have been talking since the fall.

Earlier this month, Greg Quick stepped down as the CFLB次元官网网址檚 director of global scouting to become a defensive and special-teams assistant with the Montreal Alouettes. The move wasnB次元官网网址檛 surprising given Quick is a career coach with 40 years of experience in Canada and the NCAA. Ambrosie said QuickB次元官网网址檚 departure wonB次元官网网址檛 impact the leagueB次元官网网址檚 April 15 global draft.

B次元官网网址淕reg Quick is a football guy and you have to love that heB次元官网网址檚 going to be as close to the game as a guy can get without strapping on cleats and a helmet,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie said.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press