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Back last autumn, long before the collective bargaining process for the Canadian Football League and its players began, it wasnt hard to find those around the game who figured the leagues new salary cap would come in at about $5 million. San Diego Padres Store . Which is exactly where it landed Saturday night, with the players and league reaching a tentative agreement which - pending ratification - will end the threat of a work stoppage for the next five seasons. The $5 million figure is an increase of $600,000 per team over one year ago which means, when combined with ratification bonuses just for signing the deal, player compensation will grow to roughly $5.3 million per team this upcoming season. Historically speaking, a payroll jump of nearly $1 million per team from one season to the next is unheard of in the CFL. So why are so many players apparently unhappy with the deal? Largely because the CFL Players Association had been trying to build solidarity by pointing to the leagues new TV contract and several new stadium, while pleading its case first for a share of revenues and then for a salary cap of $6.8 million. But as time passed, the CFLPA executive sensed the that the $5 million salary cap was a deal-breaker for the league, an amount the players were likely going to have to accept either now, or in July or sometime after that. The players had every right to expect more. But any student of professional football labour knows that owners hold more of the cards in this sport than any other. Remember that three years ago, with all signs pointing to record revenues and popularity, the NFL locked out its players and rolled back their percentage of the take. All for the same reason the CFLs owners were able to gain the upper hand with their players: because they could and this is business. The unique element of the CFLs business case is that it can reasonably say it needed to make the league more economically stable. The bad old days in the CFL arent really all that long ago (its been eight years since a CFL team folded, 11 since two others were in bankruptcy) so the league based its position on prioritizing the medium to long term future of the league. There are non-monetary wins for the players in this deal, in such things as reduced hitting time in practice time, plus the fact that veteran contracts will no longer tie players to their teams for an extra year at the clubs option. But as for how this will affect the CFL game as a whole, theres not a whole lot in this agreement thats going to change the product as we know it. The league hopes the new agreement will provide the financial footing for it and its teams to invest in all areas of its business, essentially play catch-up on some of the things it wasnt able to do while it was trying to keep its head above water. With three teams having public ownership and six other franchises owned by people of considerable wealth unrelated to the business of football, the owners getting their way in this deal isnt about fat-cats trying to line their pockets. Its really about creating a business model that can drive franchise values up and make CFL franchises desirable to own in a way they havent been for decades. Which is the very best insurance the league can have and should mean the end of fire sales and circumstances where owners are tempted to throw the keys on the table and walk away. If the league operates soundly from here on, there will be better paydays in a stronger CFL down the road. Thats little consolation for this group of players, most of whom wont be around to share in the spoils that may come. But for a league that has spent much of the past 30 years trying to stay a few steps ahead of The Grim Reaper, theres no shame in striking a deal that builds a solid financial foundation to the future. Padres Jerseys China . He was still a kid, going into his senior year of high school. Thursday, the point guard stood in front of a couple dozen members of the media and spoke with poise about how much hed grown since then, and how hes ready for the next level. Padres Jerseys 2019 . - Whether its because of her improved play or the reason for it, Michelle Wie appears as comfortable on and off the golf course as at any time in her career. https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/ . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets.PARIS - Standing at the top of the Portuguese league, its time for Benfica to its turn fortunes around on the European stage.With only one point after three games in Group C of the Champions League, Benfica is desperate for a good result to keep alive its chances of progressing to the knockout stage as Monaco travels to Lisbon on Tuesday.Monaco, which has been struggling in front of goal this season following the departures of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, remains unbeaten in the competition and can move to the top of the group with a win depending on leader Bayer Leverkusens result against Zenit St. Petersburg.Here are some things to know about Tuesdays matches:___TIME FOR TALISCAAfter racking up eight goals in nine Portuguese league games, Benfica needs Talisca to show the same form against Monaco.The Brazilian is the top scorer in Portugal. He has netted more goals than eight clubs in the league, including the winner in last weekends 1-0 win at Rio Ave that kept Benfica at the top of the table.Talisca has so far disappointed, though, in his first season in the Champions League. His masterful left-foot shots havent found their target, and the Lisbon club is having one of its worst European campaigns ever.Adding to the concerns of coach Jorge Jesus, Argentine winger Nicolas Gaitan is doubtful with a back injury and central defender Lisandro Lopez is suspended.___LEVERKUSENS BEATINGBayer Leverkusen had a nasty, bruising, match in Hamburg, losing 1-0.Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu was singled out for rough treatment after leaving Hamburg in off season on bad terms and endured many fouls. But the team escaped without any major injury and captain Lars Bender is expected to be able to play despite a bruised nose and knee.Leverkusen leads the group and a victory in St. Petersburg would cement the position.Weve put ourselves in a good position and we will try to keep it that way, Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller said. But the group will be decided on the final match day.The rival has to attack and we should have some space to counter, Voeller said.Leverkusen will be without suspended left back Wendell. The Brazilian has been one of Leverkusens better players and his absence could hurt.___GOALS NEEEDEDAfter finishing second to Paris Saint-Germain in the French league last season, Monaco received a brutal reality check following the departures of Falcao and Rodriguez. Custom San Diego Padres Jerseys. he pair of strikers has not been replaced and Leonardo Jardims side scored only 14 goals in 12 league matches so far, having won just six of its 15 matches in all competitions.Jardim was left frustrated by Fridays 1-1 home draw with Reims and has asked his players to be more efficient in the final third.We have lots of chances in every match, we are not clinical enough, Jardim said.Jardim also has to cope with injuries and his main offensive asset, veteran Dimitar Berbatov, remains sidelined with a groin injury. Spanish defender Borja Lopez is still unavailable with a knee injury but Joao Moutinho, who recovered from a shoulder problem, is likely to start.___SILVA HEADING BACK HOMEOn loan at Monaco this season, Bernardo Silva is eager to return to the club which has nurtured him.The Portuguese midfielder joined Benfica as an 8-year-old boy but left during the off-season after Jorge Jesus called him up only three times last season.At Monaco, Silva has gained the confidence of his new coach as Jardim uses him regularly in the league and already gave him a Champions League start.Playing in the French league and the Champions League after a stint in the Portuguese second division is wonderful, the 20-year-old midfielder said. The club has put its trust in the young players, and we are trying to repay them for what they do by winning matches, and hopefully titles.___SLOWING DOWNZenit has won 17 of its 21 Russian league games — and 22 of its 29 matches in all competitions — since Andre Villas-Boas took over in March.However, the pace has slowed, with two wins from the last six matches in all competitions for Zenit, which failed to score in three of those six matches, including its last two Champions League games.Villas-Boas, the former Tottenham manager, does not see any reason to be worried, though. His team remains at the top of the Russian league by seven points and is still unbeaten after 12 games following Saturdays victory over second-place CSKA Moscow 1-0.Everyone is still in good form and fresh, Villas-Boas said. ' ' '