Seven of eight teams, including the BC Lions, were under the Canadian Football League’s $4.2 million salary cap for 2009, the league announced Tuesday.

“The final results of a comprehensive audit and review process show a high level of compliance with the Salary Management System (SMS),” said Commissioner Mark Cohon. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers exceeded the salary cap by $44,687 and have been fined $44,687.

Under the provisions of the SMS, set by the league’s Board of Governors, teams are fined one dollar for every dollar they exceed the cap up to 100,000 dollars, and two dollars for every dollar they exceed the cap between 100,000 and 300,000 dollars, plus the loss of the team’s first-round draft pick. Teams are fined three dollars for every dollar they exceed the cap beyond $300,000 and they lose their first two draft selections.

Because no team exceeded the cap in 2009 by more than 100,000 dollars, the order in the May 2 2010 CFL Canadian Draft will not be affected.

“All of us in the Canadian Football League are confident about the future, but we recognize that we need to be prudent if we are to overcome the challenges, and seize the opportunities, before us,” Cohon said. “With seven of eight teams under the 2009 cap, and the Bombers working diligently over the course of last season to reduce their potential overrun, it’s clear our teams recognize this need.”

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