The reason for the mass exodus has next to nothing to do with how the players were treated in Ottawa, or how happy they were there. Rather, it’s simple economics, CSN was told.
A major factor at play is a 25 percent drop in the value of the Canadian dollar. Since Ottawa makes most of its revenues in Canadian funds (CORRECTED FROM EARLIER VERSION) and also pays players in the loonie, the currency drop has been devastating to the club. Players from the US are understandably reluctant to accept contracts that may be worth significantly less each week with a fluctuating dollar.
This issue is being compounded by the fact that Ottawa purposely operated with a loss in its first two seasons in the hopes that success on the pitch would drive attendance up, thus allowing the Fury to maintain the strong core they created.
“They overestimated the market,” one source told CSN.
Together, the two factors have forced the Fury to make some difficult choices this month. Ownership simply felt that the club would be risking its very existence without a significant decrease in payroll, CSN was told.
“Expect them to try and get out of every big contract they can.”
As for 2016, it was suggested to CSN that the Fury will look to get younger, and more Canadian. Another source involved in Canadian soccer at the development level suggested that both TFC and Montreal have already had talks with the Fury to loan USL standouts to them for 2016.