TORONTO (CP) - The CFL and NFL have extended their working agreement through the 2006 season, the two leagues announced Tuesday.
The NFL and CFL agreed to their first deal in 1997, one that saw the NFL give the CFL a $3-million US loan for the right to sign CFL option-year players. The original agreement expired last December but the two sides decided to extend it until April while they worked on a long-term venture, which ultimately came about Tuesday.
``The Canadian Football League is in a new and stronger position,'' CFL commissioner Tom Wright said in a statement. ``We look forward to the continued development of our game in Canada with recent solid results as our foundation.
``Better business performance in broadcast, at the gate and in retail has changed our focus to expansion of the Canadian game at the professional and amateur levels. To that end, our partnership with the NFL will play an important role in allowing us to better understand and prepare for the future of football in Canada.''
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue agreed.
``We support the CFL and its unique role in Canada, and share its goal of strengthening the interest and support of football among Canadians,'' he said in a statement. ``As partners we have worked successfully to strengthen the sport of football in Canada, and the NFL looks forward to working with the CFL to build on these programs.''
Under terms of the new agreement, NFL teams will still be able to sign CFL players entering their option year through the 2006 season. As in the past, those players aren't eligible for allocation to NFL Europe.
``We've consulted with each of our teams and the CFL board of governors, and as a league have elected to maintain the current set of guidelines governing player transfer between the CFL and the NFL,'' Wright said. ``We consider it an element of the agreement which is beneficial to both parties. When players know they can move between the NFL and the CFL in an organized fashion, it helps them optimize their careers.''
Also, the NFL will provide exposure for live CFL games (including the Grey Cup, on a non-exclusive basis) through the NFL Network in the United States.
The deal also calls for the establishment of the Football Development Management Council, which in conjunction with Football Canada will explore the creation of programs aimed at introducing more Canadians to the game.
The deal also calls for both leagues to continue supporting mutually agreed grassroots initiatives in Canada, such as Reebok NFL/CFL Flag Football, NFL/CFL Practice with the Pros, the NFL/CFL High School Coach of the Year as well as the new NFL/CFL Junior Player Development program.