CFL postpones its return to Saipan

Board members decided that the start the Commonwealth Football League will be pushed back for approximately one month, but indicated that the season will definitely be played in its entirety despite the delay.

According to CFL chairman of the board John Blanco, the teams have requested that the board postpone the start of the upcoming season in order to take care of some last minute issues before taking the field of play.

“I don’t see this as a setback because football is played in the fall anyway. The only football played in August is pre-season. I know that the guys are ready to play, but we recognize their need to make sure of some things before opening day.”

Blanco would not go into detail about all of the specific issues that the teams are dealing with, but he did mention that items teams typically have to square away at this point in the process usually revolve around insurance and registration fees.

All three of the confirmed teams in this year’s CFL have been practicing on the airport football field

Team representatives, board members and officials will have their next meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, August 31, at J’s Restaurant in Gualo Rai to follow-up on issues from previous meetings and address any issues that could affect opening day.

The opening match-up will pit the Verizon Nitro and the Miller Barbarians. The regular season will span nine-weeks, with all but two of the games having 10am Saturday starts. The playoffs take place at 10am on the second to the last Saturday of the year when the second and third place finishers from the regular season go head facemask-to-facemask to determine who will face the first place team from the regular season in the championships on the following Saturday at 11am.

As a reminder, all teams are to have no fewer than 11 and no more than 50 players on their roster. In order for a player to participate in practice, they must submit their waivers and insurance forms. This will be the fourth season for the league, and for only the second time in it’s existence, there will be no defending champion.

“It’s a whole new ball game this year. The championship’s definitely up for grabs,” said Blanco.

If you are interested in getting more information about the CFL, becoming a player, or sponsoring a team in the league, contact Blanco by calling either 483-3517 or 288-2639.