The CFL’s revenue growth sharing model continues to pay dividends for both the league and players.
The league announced Friday that the salary cap for the 2025 season will rise to $6,280,514, an increase of $218,149 from 2025. This follows the Defined League Revenue exceeding the previous season’s baseline by $10 million.
It is the second straight year that the league has seen a salary cap increase.
“The energy around our sport has never been stronger,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston wrote in a statement. “We’re seeing meaningful growth in fan engagement and revenue, and we’re channelling that momentum back into the league. As our business expands, the players who make our game outstanding are sharing in the upside, reinforcing a model built for long-term success.”
Revenue is split between the league and the CFL Players' Association who decided to direct the majority of its share toward increasing the salary cap. The CFLPA also approved an additional $50,000 per club to enhance pre-season compensation for veteran players.
Since the league and players agreed to a new CBA in 2022, the cap has climbed $530,514 above the original $5.75 million figure.
“Our revenue-sharing model demonstrates what’s possible when players and the League work collectively,” CFLPA president Solomon Elimimian wrote in a statement. “This isn’t just a number; it’s an investment in our players’ careers, their families, and the long-term health of the game. As the talent that drives fan interest, it’s essential that player well-being continues to grow alongside the League’s growth.”
League revenue has grown by $31 million over the 2022 baseline figure that was negotiated when the current CBA first came into effect.
The league's free agency period opens on Feb. 10 with the season opener scheduled for June 4 between the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
— with files from the Canadian Press
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