The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) has released its second annual Club Report Cards for 2025, offering a candid look into the working conditions and experiences of players across the nine CFL teams. This player-driven initiative aims to empower athletes during free agency by providing transparent evaluations of team operations, while also encouraging clubs to adopt best practices and address shortcomings. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Desmond McEwan from the University of British Columbia, the report ensures impartiality and focuses on fostering better environments league-wide.
Survey Methodology: A Comprehensive Player Perspective
The 2025 report is based on an anonymous 78-question online survey distributed to all eligible CFL players on active rosters, practice squads, and injured reserve lists. With responses from 381 players, the survey covered personal experiences with their current teams through multiple-choice, rating, and open-ended questions.
Evaluations spanned 10 key categories: Coaching Staff, Football Operations, Ownership & Business Operations, Facilities & Equipment, Therapy & Medical Staff, Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition & Diet, Team Travel, Training Camp, and Treatment of Families. Scores were averaged and converted into standardized letter grades, painting a holistic picture of workplace quality in the CFL.
League-wide averages revealed solid performances in some areas, such as Team Travel (B+) and Coaching Staff (B), but highlighted room for improvement in others, like Nutrition & Diet (C+) and Ownership & Business Operations (C+). Overall, the report notes meaningful progress since the inaugural edition, particularly in Strength & Conditioning and Nutrition & Diet, where teams have enhanced staff, programming, and resources. However, persistent issues include understaffed athletic therapy departments, inconsistent non-football services like appearance compensation, and subpar visiting team accommodations—especially in Edmonton, which drew the most player complaints.
Standout Teams: Hamilton and Saskatchewan Lead the Pack
Several teams emerged as exemplars in the 2025 report cards, demonstrating commitment to player welfare and operational excellence.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats topped the charts with strong grades across the board, including A’s in Football Operations, Facilities & Equipment, Strength & Conditioning, and Training Camp. Players praised the organization for going “beyond the call of duty,” such as hosting Thanksgiving dinners for players and their families. One respondent noted, “My club ranked highly last year and still elected to make improvements. This club is the class of the CFL.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders also shone brightly, earning A- grades in Coaching Staff, Football Operations, Strength & Conditioning, and Training Camp. Improvements in nutrition, coaching, family events, and strength training were highlighted, with a player commenting, “Strength and conditioning staff really leveled up.” The team’s A in Team Travel further underscores their focus on player recovery and comfort.
Other notable performers include the Toronto Argonauts, who received an A in Therapy & Medical Staff, with players calling it “one of the best in the league,” and the Edmonton Elks, who excelled in Facilities & Equipment (A-) and Team Travel (A+). Winnipeg Blue Bombers were commended for upgrades to travel, player lounges, and family support, including babysitting during home games.
Areas Needing Improvement: Challenges in Nutrition, Family Support, and More
While progress is evident, the report cards expose ongoing challenges that could impact player retention and performance.
BC Lions struggled notably in Nutrition & Diet (F), with players bearing most of the responsibility for their own meals. Comments included, “Nutrition is 99% on the players here,” and calls for major improvements in post-game meals and overall support.
Montreal Alouettes faced criticism in Treatment of Families (F) and Ownership & Business Operations (D+), with players decrying nonexistent family support on game days and inadequate training room resources. One player stated, “Family support and treatment on gamedays is non existent and in my opinion needs the most improvement of any category.”
Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks received D+ in Treatment of Families, alongside concerns about understaffed therapy rooms and limited opportunities for appearance compensation. In Ottawa, training camp logistics in Kingston were deemed impractical due to distant facilities and unreliable shuttles.
Edmonton‘s visiting accommodations were a league-wide sore point, described as “unacceptable,” while Winnipeg drew flak for excessive padded practices during training camp, with no days off.
Implications for the CFL: Driving Positive Change
The 2025 CFLPA Club Report Cards serve as a valuable tool for players navigating free agency and for teams seeking to enhance their reputations. By spotlighting best practices—like Hamilton’s family-inclusive events or Saskatchewan’s revamped strength programs—the report encourages league-wide adoption of player-centric improvements. As the CFL continues to evolve, addressing key pain points in nutrition, medical staffing, and family treatment could lead to healthier, more satisfied rosters and a stronger competitive landscape.
For the full details and individual team breakdowns, visit the CFLPA website. This transparency not only benefits current players but also sets a benchmark for future seasons, ensuring the CFL remains a premier destination for professional football talent.