12-17-2019, 01:07 AM
Jason Pottinger chose his words carefully, because this was the first time he could speak for himself, on the record. Yeezy Boost 350 Pas Cher Femme . And the Ottawa Redblacks linebacker wanted to be sure his words delivered their full effect. "Its an insult," he said over the phone Wednesday after the CFL Players Association lifted its media ban, giving its members the ability to speak openly about stalling collective bargaining talks. For Pottinger — 30 years old and an eight-year CFL veteran taken by Ottawa in Decembers expansion draft— "It," is an all-composing term, referring to the CFLs reluctance to explore any revenue-sharing model, and the publication of the leagues newest offer Wednesday, which includes a "ratification bonus" ($1,000 for rookies and $3,000 for veterans) if the players agree to the leagues terms by June 2. "Its a slap in the face." "It" ultimately alludes to a negotiation process that has made no progress for months. Like most players, Pottinger has not directly been part of the talks. There is now a week left before the current CBA expires on May 29. Last week the CFLPA began mailing out strike ballots to its members. Pottinger has received his, and he has voted Yes. "Im hopeful," he said. "But the league has to start taking us seriously." For the most part, players have kept quiet over the last few months. The CFL made certain no one representing the league or any team spoke, threatening hefty fines for any league or team official willing to share any thoughts on the negotiations. And then today - after TSN initially reported the leagues latest offer to the players - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon released the offer on the leagues website along with an open letter to players and fans. The leagues offer includes an initial nine per cent increase on the salary cap — from the existing $4.4 million to $4.8 million — in the first year of a new CBA, and a yearly $50,000 increase over the life of a new five-year deal (putting the cap at $5,050,000). The league minimum salary would also be raised from $45,000 to $50,000. And the CFL would maintain a $450,000 annual payment to the CFLPA for "Player marketing and other rights." The proposal also includes larger active rosters, plans for limited amounts of contact practices, and the continuation of player pension, medical, and life insurance benefits. "The CFL offer strikes an appropriate balance of, on the one hand, providing significant compensation increases and health and safety improvements to the Players while, on the other hand, creating an environment in which the League and its teams can continue to build for a strong and stable future," Cohon wrote in his letter to the players. "I was surprised [the league went public]," Pottinger said. "This must have been their plan. We had an understanding that neither side would approach the media for 24 hours. [The players] gave that notice [Tuesday afternoon] and the league broke that understanding. They came in [to the proposed Toronto meeting place Wednesday] handed their proposal and walked out. Now is that bargaining?" Four hours later, CFLPA executives held a press conference and released their counterproposal. The crucial component of the players offer is $6.24 million salary cap partly determined by a revenue-sharing model, which would allocate 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio rights, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue to the players. "We advised the CFLPA in no uncertain terms that their proposal was not realistic, and would not form the basis for any financial settlement," Cohon said in his letter. "In fact, it would threaten the very existence of the CFL." "The league has only recently been upfront with us about their finances," Pottinger said. "This isnt just about the players now. This is about the players who are coming into the league, and who will come into the league. In five years, I will likely be out of the league. I want players coming to the CFL then to say Thanks for putting up a fight. CFLPA president Scott Flory also issued a letter to CFL fans Wednesday afternoon. "We are in not interested in destroying the game that has given us all so much. We put our bodies, hearts and souls on the line and seek nothing more than to be fairly paid for what we do," Flory wrote. Sources - players both close to the negotiations and outside of the meetings - have told TSN over the past few months that some kind of revenue-sharing scheme must be an integral part of any new CBA. But are the percentages in the CFLPAs recent proposal fixed, immutable numbers? Or a starting point that hasnt yet been properly considered? Pottinger, a businessman himself working toward his Master of Business Administration, paused when considering the questions. The terms "whats fair" and "fair share" were constantly repeated principles when players were advised to say little or nothing. The message wont change now. "In the end - and I know youve heard this enough times already - but we want whats fair," he said. "I want you to write this: Back in 2010 [when the soon-to-be-expired CBA was being negotiated] revenue sharing for the players was around 56 per cent. The league approached us and said they couldnt operate with a revenue sharing model. They told us the league wouldnt be healthy. They told us to be partners. We understood. We thought we were partners." "Now it just feels like take, take, take." Players used social media to air frustration and show their filled-in strike ballots. Ones with NO crossed have yet to be seen. "In writing this letter, we the Executive, are still here where our negotiations were scheduled to be, working towards furthering talks. We need two sides," Flory wrote in his open letter. What is the timetable now? Does Pottinger expect to miss the first week of training camp? The first preseason game? The first week of the regular season? Is he ready to strike? "Im still hopeful for a new deal," Pottinger said. Air Force 1 Pas Cher France . The Mavericks were not going to let San Antonio beat them with 3-pointers, and they did not want Tony Parker using the lane as his personal playground. Fausse Vapormax . Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., were third with 210.84 points. Teammates Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto were fourth. Duhamel and Radford, who were seventh at the Sochi Olympics, also won bronze at last years world championships in London, Ont. http://www.pascherbasketnike.fr/france-a...solde.html . Bibeau, Torontos sixth-round pick at No. 172 overall in last years draft, was named the outstanding goaltender of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup.RENTON, Wash. - The conversations started in the spring and as much as K.J. Wright wanted to believe the Seattle Seahawks legitimately wanted to keep him around long-term, the fact the season started and weeks ticked by without a contract extension began weighing on the linebacker.The more the season goes on, its only human you start to think about am I going to be here, am I not? Wright said. I didnt try and let it affect me too much.The stress and worry about his future was alleviated on Thursday after Wright signed a four-year extension worth up to $27 million with the Seahawks, keeping one of Seattles key defensive players from reaching free agency.Wright was in the final year of his rookie contract and making $1.4 million in base salary. While the idea of seeing what he was worth on the open market was intriguing, he ultimately wanted to remain with the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2011.Im not going to lie, it would have been nice to see what other teams thought of you, to see what your value was, Wright said. But I didnt want to go anywhere else. I love it here.Seattle has always valued the unique size and speed Wright has added to the linebacker unit. At 6-foot-4 and nearly 250 pounds, Wright has become a needed, versatile component since his arrival.Wright has started at all three linebacker positions for the Seahawks. The first game of his career in 2011, Wright started at middle linebacker. But Seattle has found the best spot for Wright is at weakside linebacker.For his career, Wright has started 54 of 58 games.Because hes around we have a lot of depth, Seattle linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. said. And if youve been around the Seahawwks the last four years youve seen him grow into a really exciting player. Air Max 95 Pas Cher Chine. Hes done a lot of fantastic things and the great thing about him, hes only getting better. Every time he steps on the field hes only getting better.Wright is leading Seattle with 96 tackles this season, already a career-high, has two sacks and forced three fumbles. Hes started all 14 games, including three at middle linebacker when Bobby Wagner was out with a foot injury.Wright is also playing more than at any other point in his career. According to STATS, Wright has been on the field for 95.8 per cent of the defensive snaps this season, the highest total of his career.The timing of this signing gives us the ability to keep as many of our core players together as we possibly can, Seattle general manager John Schneider said in a statement. Since day one, K.J. has been a true professional in his daily approach.Wright is the latest of Seattles core group of drafted players to be given new contracts. Strong safety Kam Chancellor was first before the start of the 2013 season. All-Pros Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, and wide receiver Doug Baldwin were all extended following Seattles title last season.Next on the agenda: quarterback Russell Wilson and Wagner, both of whom can be extended this off-season.We play so well together and get along so good, just have to keep these guys around, Wright said. It only makes sense to keep guys you drafted here to keep growing and developing as football players. Im glad they chose me to stick around and do nothing but be the best player on and off the field.___Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '