BC, TORONTO, SASKATCHEWAN AND OTTAWA EXCEEDED 2024 SALARY EXPENDITURE CAP

TORONTO (March 28, 2025) – The BC Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa REDBLACKS exceeded the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Salary Expenditure Cap of $5.525 million in 2024.

In addition to being fined, the BC Lions will forfeit the highest of their first- and second-round selections (Nos. 3 and 9) in the 2025 CFL Draft due to the amount by which they exceeded the cap. BC retains its lower second-round selection (No. 11).

Per the CFL Constitution, the team with the highest waiver priority – in this instance, the Calgary Stampeders – have been awarded BC’s forfeited picks as the final selections in the first two rounds – Nos. 8 and 17.

The Edmonton Elks do not hold a pick in the first round because they claimed Zach Mathis in the 2024 Supplemental Draft.

Winnipeg and BC hold the Nos. 18 and 19 selections, respectively, as a result of the National Snaps Reward System.

Ottawa, Saskatchewan and Toronto’s violations of the 2024 Salary Expenditure Cap will result in fines.

The Revenue Growth-Sharing Model in the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement sees CFL gains above the Initial Baseline Revenue from the previous season triggering a revenue growth share with the CFL Players’ Association. The 2024 campaign surpassed the threshold by $18 million, resulting in the 2025 Salary Expenditure Cap being set at $6,062,365 – an increase of $412,365 over the previously negotiated $5,650,000 figure.

2024 SALARY EXPENDITURE CAP OVERAGES

2025 CFL DRAFT – SELECTION ORDER
​(Current to time of publication)
​* Awarded as a result of BC exceeding the 2024 Salary Expenditure Cap
​^ Awarded via the National Snaps Reward System

First Round

Note: Edmonton forfeited its first-round selection after claiming receiver Zach Mathis in the 2024 Supplemental Draft.

Second Round