CFL Asks For $30 Million Bailout Of Canadian Tire Money
By Scott Slute
Toronto - The Canadian Football League has requested a $30 million bailout from the federal government as COVID related delays impact the 2020 season. League commissioner Randy Ambrosie has stated, however, that they are willing to accept a bailout in the form of Canadian Tire money.
“We need all the help we can get,” said Ambroise, “I personally go down to Canadian Tire every May 2-4 weekend and buy all the balls, pads and water bottles for the league. So it doesn’t really matter which money they give us it’s gonna end up at the same place either way.”
The bailout request comes after the announcement that social-distancing measures will continue through the summer, meaning fans will be unable to fill the multi-purpose arenas and soccer fields that the teams play out of. Tailgating will also continue to be outlawed, not because of COVID however, but because municipal governments across the country unanimously hate fun.
“If we don’t have fans in the stadium, we’re not making money,” continued Ambroise, “The majority of our income comes from ticket sales. We can only survive off selling Saskatchewan Roughriders merchandise for so long.”
Canadian Tire money, officially called Canadian Tire “money”, is a rewards program offered by the Canadian retailer. Customers are given the novelty money after a transaction, which can later be redeemed for items such as a hockey stick, a new Keurig coffee maker, an oil change, a hotdog, or any other product or service provided by Canadian Tire.
“We need to think of the CFL not as one big business but a bunch of small business,” said Toronto Mayor and former CFL commissioner John Tory, “And just like many small businesses across the country, the league should accept Canadian Tire money as a form of payment.”
The use of Canadian Tire money within the league is not a new concept. The Ottawa Redblacks revealed last month that they have been paying American players in Canadian Tire money since the team’s inception in 2014, noting that the Americans were unable to tell the difference between it and actual Canadian currency.
The Harold reached out to Canadian Tire asking if they would be willing to personally donate the requested $30 million Canadian Tire dollars, however the company declined to comment. They did note that the CFL’s official clothing provider Mark’s Work Warehouse, a subsidiary of Canadian Tire, would be sending any player in need a sensible pair of slacks and a 15-pack of white tube socks.
The league also claimed that if they were to cancel their 2020 season, they would require a $150 million bailout but were willing to accept unclaimed Roll Up The Rim prizes as a form of compensation.
Scott Slute is the Editor in Chief at The Toronto Harold