No New Home for Fantuz…Yet

Thursday was filled with rumours across Canadian news sites, and social media sources regarding Andy Fantuz and his future as a CFL free agent. CFL free angency opened Wednesday, but one day later, the league’s biggest prize was still available.

Fantuz, who is currently vacationing in Africa, was reported to be close to a deal Thursday morning, that sources including TSN, announced would be finalized by noon. Midday however came and went without a new contract for Fantuz.

Fantuz’s agent, Tim Fleiszer reportedly had breakfast with Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman Thursday morning, however other sources reported that the ‘Riders were not front runners in the Fantuz stakes.

Other sources report that Fantuz is headed back to Southwestern Ontario, and that Hamilton is the likely landing spot for the Chatham, Ontario product.

Hamilton Tiger Cats owner Bob Young added fuel to this fire by tweeting late Wednesday evening, “Andy Fantuz is on vacation in Africa. Always wanted to go on Safari to bag a big Cat.”

With Saskatchewan shelling out serious funds to secure lineman Brendon LaBatte, it is unclear whether or not they will be able to afford the amount Fantuz is commanding, which is said to be roughly $200,000 per season. Given that Fantuz and LaBatte share agent Tim Fleiszer, it is also highly likely that Thursday morning’s meeting between the agent and ‘Riders GM Taman, was unrelated to Andy Fantuz.

Although he remains unsigned and thousands of miles from any CFL team, the future of Andy Fantuz is expected to be resolved within hours, not days.