CFLPA Relationship
Wasn't really quite sure where to put this thread... it's CFL-related, but it's not about the game itself and more so about people connected to it. It's also a little self-promoting, but hopefully people will understand why I am as proud of this as I am.
I was a little early announcing it on the podcast taping, but I'd seen the press release and knew that the announcement was to be made this week.
My company, Payline by ICE, provides foreign exchange and international payments to companies and individuals. The ICE in Payline by ICE stands for International Currency Exchange, and they provide foreign cash for vacations and travel through malls and airport locations (and if you order online in advance, you don't pay airport rates). It has long been a goal of mine to want to help American players that come up here, put their body on the line for what can be a short career making decent, but not exceptional money, get taxed heavily, and hopefully have a little bit left at the end so that they can learn about exchange rates. As you would expect, the direct approach isn't met with a lot of trust or success, while trying to work through the teams generally pits you head to head against banks that are sponsors of the team... revenues that they won't jeopardize. I've picked up a few clients over the years, mostly management types that got it, and didn't have to beware of "hangers on" or people out to dupe them.
When Brian, an accountant, retired after last year's Grey Cup victory, 56 Parkies was kind enough to leverage his business connections to get the two of us invited to his party at KPMG in Victoria when he had his day with the cup. What started as an in-passing conversation grew wings when he officially accepted the role as Executive Director of the CFLPA. After a couple of meetings, and some philosophical discussions that highlighted the alignment that we both really had a core interest in wanting to help the players, a proposal was issued, discussed and vetted by their executive, and ultimately a deal struck. Payline by ICE will become the office foreign exchange provider to the CFLPA and its members.
Not only can I offer them better exchange rates and wire fees than they are charged at the banks - trust me, our company has no plans to buy naming rights on any NHL arenas in the coming decades - but myself and our team can now offer them some guidance and insight as to when to exchange their funds, things to watch for in the market, and educate them to make better decisions to manage this aspect of their income. We can also give them access to do everything easily online instead of standing in line at the bank.
For a long time, I have had an ability to contribute something back, but no pathway paved to do so. Through connections made through a site like this, a little perseverance, and a good old perfect storm of geography and the right person being in the role, I now have a credible way to give back to players and the families that they make sacrifices for.
For all of its flaws, I love this league.
I was a little early announcing it on the podcast taping, but I'd seen the press release and knew that the announcement was to be made this week.
My company, Payline by ICE, provides foreign exchange and international payments to companies and individuals. The ICE in Payline by ICE stands for International Currency Exchange, and they provide foreign cash for vacations and travel through malls and airport locations (and if you order online in advance, you don't pay airport rates). It has long been a goal of mine to want to help American players that come up here, put their body on the line for what can be a short career making decent, but not exceptional money, get taxed heavily, and hopefully have a little bit left at the end so that they can learn about exchange rates. As you would expect, the direct approach isn't met with a lot of trust or success, while trying to work through the teams generally pits you head to head against banks that are sponsors of the team... revenues that they won't jeopardize. I've picked up a few clients over the years, mostly management types that got it, and didn't have to beware of "hangers on" or people out to dupe them.
When Brian, an accountant, retired after last year's Grey Cup victory, 56 Parkies was kind enough to leverage his business connections to get the two of us invited to his party at KPMG in Victoria when he had his day with the cup. What started as an in-passing conversation grew wings when he officially accepted the role as Executive Director of the CFLPA. After a couple of meetings, and some philosophical discussions that highlighted the alignment that we both really had a core interest in wanting to help the players, a proposal was issued, discussed and vetted by their executive, and ultimately a deal struck. Payline by ICE will become the office foreign exchange provider to the CFLPA and its members.
Not only can I offer them better exchange rates and wire fees than they are charged at the banks - trust me, our company has no plans to buy naming rights on any NHL arenas in the coming decades - but myself and our team can now offer them some guidance and insight as to when to exchange their funds, things to watch for in the market, and educate them to make better decisions to manage this aspect of their income. We can also give them access to do everything easily online instead of standing in line at the bank.
For a long time, I have had an ability to contribute something back, but no pathway paved to do so. Through connections made through a site like this, a little perseverance, and a good old perfect storm of geography and the right person being in the role, I now have a credible way to give back to players and the families that they make sacrifices for.
For all of its flaws, I love this league.
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