The Canadian Football League Players Association will release the results of its second annual report cards, which allow players to anonymously rate all nine CFL teams. Wednesday, January 7.
The CFLPA wants the report cards to highlight the league's positive work environment and identify areas that are lacking.which the union hopes will improve overall working conditions for its members. The results are also intended to help free agents make more informed decisions about where to sign on the open market.
The CFLPA developed its survey with help from the NFLPA as the union launched a similar initiative in 2023. Unlike its four-member counterpart, the CFLPA decided not to explicitly tie any categories to facilities, indicating that doing so would be “heavy” for teams with older facilities. The PA also insists it has no intention of “making teams in an impossible category”, although the union's recognized categories could be changed for the 2025 poll.
Last October, the union distributed an online survey to its members over a two-week period. The survey contained 58 questions across eight different categories, including football operations, management and administration, training and medical personnel, equipment, family treatment, nutrition and diet, team travel and training camps. Below are detailed descriptions of the categories defined by the CFLPA.
Football Operations:
Players were asked about their relationships with the head coach, coaching staff, and video staff; planning their team activities; and their team's compliance with the CBA regulations, including those related to padded training and practice times.
Equipment:
Players were asked if they had to pay for any required football equipment, including gloves, mouthguards and cleats; if they were given a suitable choice of helmet; about the condition of the equipment issued to them; and the general knowledge and helpfulness/availability of their equipment personnel.
Management/administration:
Players were asked if they had ever been asked to renegotiate an existing contract to reduce overall compensation; if CFL and CFLPA star bonuses were offered during contract negotiations; about the presence of employees of the financial department of your club; if the player has been offered paid appearances and/or employment opportunities outside of football; on the quality of seats provided for tickets to home games; and about their comfort in resolving problems with their club's management.
Training and medical staff:
Players were asked whether their club had adequate levels of medical staff; if therapy was carried out at an appropriate time both in season and out of season; about their perceived quality of care; about the availability of massage and manual therapy; about the quality of their club exercise equipment; and the availability and experience of a strength and conditioning coach.
Treatment of families:
Players were asked whether their club offered services and support to spouses and children, including assistance with housing, child care, open work permits for Americans, and medical and mental health services; and whether opportunities for family play were provided.
Nutrition and diet:
Players were asked what food their club provided and the quality of that food; if they were charged for this food; the presence of a club nutritionist; and the quality, quantity and adequacy of nutritional supplements provided.
Team trip:
Players were asked about the quality of their club's travel arrangements; if the flight time allowed for sufficient rest and recovery after the game; reimbursement of any travel expenses; and, if applicable, travel during the training week to off-site facilities.
Training camp:
During training camps, players were asked about the quality of their housing; if they had to share a room during training camp; about the quality of food during training camps; and if their club adheres to CBA training times and meets additional training requirements during training camps.
