CFL: Shortened season could potentially begin in September

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The CFL announced Wednesday that a 2020 shortened season could potentially begin in September.

The 108th Grey Cup, which was supposed to be in Saskatchewan in November, will now be determined by a "win and host" model. The team with the better overall regular-season record will host the finale. Saskatchewan's Grey Cup is now set to take place in 2022.

"We have learned three things about running a league in a pandemic," commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. "Certainty is hard to come by. Scenarios are plentiful. And public safety is paramount.

"So, while we keep our focus on safety, we want to keep our fans informed as the number of possible scenarios narrows and decisions are made."

Ambrosie hasn't been optimistic about the 2020 season and said earlier in May that the "most likely scenario is no season at all." In April, the CFL asked the Canadian federal government for up to $150 million in financial assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The CFL season was initially scheduled to begin on June 11.