The CFL Players' Association (CFLPA) released its first annual CFLPA Report Card. The Report Card presents valuable insights, provided by players, about their respective clubs to not only assist one another in making informed free agency decisions but also to contribute to raising standards for conditions across the league.  495 players provided responses to a comprehensive survey over a two-week period in October, 2024. 

The CFLPA is dedicated to advocating for player-driven improvements in working conditions for its members, which includes ensuring a positive daily experience at team facilities, not just on game day, but every day. 

The primary objectives of the CFLPA Report Cards initiative are to:  

• Highlight teams that are setting positive examples; 

• Identify areas where improvement is needed, and;

• Showcase best practices and workplace standards. 

The CFLPA collaborated with Assistant Professor in Sport Psychology, Dr. Desmond McEwan, PhD, from the University of British Columbia to refine the survey analysis and ensure a comprehensive and impartial systematic review of all data collected. 

Club	Football Operations	Management & Administration	Training & Medical Staff	Equipment	Family Treatment	Nutrition & Diet	Team Travel	Training Camp
BC	B-	D+	D+	C+	D	D-	C	C
Calgary	C-	D+	C+	C+	D+	D-	C	C+
Edmonton	B-	C+	C	B+	D-	F	D-	F
Hamilton	C+	B	B	A	B-	B	B+	B-
Montreal	B	B	B-	C	D+	C+	C	C-
Ottawa	A-	C	B+	A-	B-	C	B-	B-
Saskatchewan	A	A-	B	B	B	D+	B	B
Toronto	B-	C	A-	B	C+	C	C+	B+
Winnipeg	B+	B-	B+	A-	B-	C+	C+	C

Additional information, including player quotes are available at the bottom of this article.

"The CFLPA Report Card initiative is about empowering our players and elevating the standards across the league. By sharing their honest feedback, the players are driving positive change and fostering a better environment for everyone involved in Canadian Football." Said CFLPA President, Solomon Elimimian.

Methodology 

The 58-question survey was distributed online to all players on CFL rosters at the time, ensuring every eligible member had an opportunity to participate and have their voice heard. The responses were collected anonymously, and a total of 495 players shared their experiences regarding their club’s workplace environment and conditions. 

Players provided evaluations based on their personal experiences with their current teams. The survey included a combination of multiple choice, rating, and open-ended questions over 8 categories, allowing players to provide detailed feedback. Scoring for each category was then averaged and normalized to translate the data into standardized letter Grades for each club These grades incorporate various aspects of workplace conditions, including the quality of team facilities and services offered to players.  

Each club’s "report card" provides an overview and commentary stemming from player responses, offering a clear picture of workplace conditions as experienced by those on the 2024 rosters. This feedback represents the collective opinions of our members and serves as a valuable tool for fostering a better working environment throughout the league. 

Please see below, a brief explanation of each survey category.

Football Operations:

Players were asked about their relationships with their head coach, coaching staff, and video staff; their team activity scheduling; and their team's adherence to CBA provisions including those relating to padded practices and practice times.

Equipment:

Players were asked if they were required to pay for any necessary football equipment including gloves, mouthguards, and cleats; if they were given appropriate helmet choice; about the condition of their issued equipment; and about the general knowledge and helpfulness/availability of their equipment staff.

Management/Administration:

Players were asked if they had ever been requested to renegotiate an existing contract for less total compensation; if CFL and CFLPA All Star Bonuses were offered during contract negotiation; about the availability of their club's financial department staff; if paid appearances and/or employment opportunities outside of football have been offered to the player; about the quality of seats provided for home game tickets; and about their comfort addressing concerns with their club's management.

Training and Medical Staff:

Players were asked if their club had adequate levels of medical staff; if therapy was offered at adequate times in and out of season; about their perceived quality of care; about the availability of massage and chiropractic therapy; about the quality of their club work out facilities; and about the availability and expertise of the strength and conditioning coach.

Treatment of Families:

Players were asked if their club offered services and support for wives and children including assistance in sourcing housing, childcare, open work permits for Americans, and medical and mental health services; and if family gameday facilities were provided.

Nutrition and Diet:

Players were asked what meals their club provides and about the quality of those meals; if they were charged for those meals; about the availability of a club dietician; and about the quality, quantity, and adequacy of nutritional supplements provided.

Team Travel:

Players were asked about the quality of their club's travel arrangements; if the timing of flights allowed for adequate post-game rest and recovery; about reimbursements for any travel-related expenses; and, if applicable, about travel during the practice week to off-site facilities.

Training Camp:

Players were asked about the quality of their housing during training camp; if they had to share a room during training camp; about the quality of their meals during training camp; and if their club adhered to CBA practice time and padded practice requirements during training camp.

The final question of the survey invited general comments from players.  This is a selection form each club, chosen to reflect the range of feedback provided.

BC:

"BC Lions need a new facility. The team and staff does what it can. But things are unsatisfactory compared to other teams in the CFL."

"No meals after game. Meals during the week we split half"

Calgary:

"Most players have to get a gym membership to get a real work out during the season. The field in Calgary has also led to many major and minor injuries."

"Improvement needed on food offered during season, strength and conditioning, meetings early morning after travelling very late for away games, the quality of the gym,"

"We need a new field and need meals. We also need help with transportation to and from the facility for guys that are from the US and don’t have cars out here in Canada."

"Turf needs improvement desperately. meals are provided but quality is very inconsistent, specifically breakfast. massages should be covered by team."

"Calgary's practice and game field are unacceptable" 

***Since this survey was conducted, Calgary has announced that a new turf field will be installed at McMahon Stadium prior to the 2025 season***

Edmonton:

"My main concerns are lack of investment in both nutrition and strength and conditioning."

"Need better food for practice and after the game. Cold pizza isn’t good enough."

"Transitional year. A lot changing with the organization. A lot has been promised with the new ownership"

Saskatchewan:

"We need more Athletic Trainers, always rushed for treatment and pre-practice taping"

"The nutrition and food options are pretty poor, especially at breakfast. Hearing other teams like Toronto has way better quality, and options. Our medical team also makes it tough to book in to see them, as there are time slots and then they stop their day at a certain time and are not available after that."

Winnipeg:

"I believe my Winnipeg does a great job overall. Of course some things can be better."

"I believe we have very poor travel out of Winnipeg for away games. We are placed in a very small transport plane with limited seating and very little leg room. We are fed cookies and gold fish and chips. It is very uncomfortable and everybody I know on the team dreads the away games."

"Great locker room"

"Our plane is terrible and falling apart."

"This is best organization and I can’t be happier to be here! Go Bombers!"

"travel is worse than single A baseball"

"Winnipeg does a great job."

Toronto:

"When told that I needed a surgery, there was little to no effort in getting a doctor to coordinate a surgery date."

"We’re lucky if we get one pair of cleats here. It shouldn’t be a hassle to ask for a new pair of gloves or cleats.  I buy a couple pairs of cleats every season and never get reimbursed for this."

"We're travelling up to 30 minutes a day one way to practice off site.  It adds an extra hour to our day. "

Hamilton:

"Organized and professional"

"Free EV charging at the facility"

"An exclusive family section in stadium during games would be nice. Families and wives are spread over multiple different rows and sections and it would be nice to have them sectioned and sit together. Occasionally fans can say remarks to family/wives when they are in an isolated setting away from others."

"Very Organized and professional"

"One of the best organizations I’ve played for."

"Hamilton Tiger-cats have been absolutely phenomenal in how they treat players, and their families. I’m really blown away by their classiness especially to the families of players. Between the 4 organizations I have been a part of, they have truly set the standard in the best way possible."

"Practice on the bye week is the only part that falls short here. Our team will schedule a day 0, a day off, then day 1. The day 0 always falls on a Sunday or Saturday which compromises the bye week for families and spouses."

Ottawa:

No written responses provided out of 53 surveys.

Montreal:

"Training room and meals could be a lot better"

"I feel compromised when I’m injured & I always have to utilize a second opinion. I also have to go to another location to complete treatments because we do not have any modalities outside of a 20 year old ultra sound machine."

"Meals are provided during the week and away games however, players pay for home game post game meals."

"Food is provided on practice days but are counted as a taxable benefit on our pay cheques, so players are paying a modest amount for meals provided. Active players at home games contribute about 20$ for everyone to get a meal post game." 

"Many issues this past year with Therapy." 

"On game day there is a small room provided for families, however it is tucked away with no amenities or even TVs to watch the game."