While the NFL’s latest CBA proposal has already been distributed to players, it sounds like some owners are hoping it isn’t passed. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that a “number of NFL owners” are hoping the CBA doesn’t pass next week because they believe they can get a better deal in 2021. Specifically, the owners believe they could make a stronger push for an 18-game schedule.
Lawyers for the NFL and NFLPA worked on finalizing language for the CBA on early Thursday morning, and ballots were sent to players later that day. Players will have almost exactly one week to vote on the measure.If more than 50% of the players vote yes, the CBA passes. The NFLPA’s board approved the agreement, by a 17-14-1 vote, on Feb. 26. The union’s executive director, DeMaurice Smith, expects it to pass.
We’ve learned about a number of additional CBA details over the past few days, which we’ve compiled below:
- Previously, teams were required to spent at least 89-percent of the cap, but the salary floor would be increased to 90-percent under the new CBA. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out, that’d effectively be an increase from $178MM to $180MM (using a $200MM cap).
- We heard that the new CBA would reduce Roger Goodell‘s authority when it came to the Personal Conduct Policy, but Florio says the commissioner would still have final say over a punishment. Goodell will also have the right to increase or decrease penalties that were handed out by a neutral arbitrator.
- If the proposed CBA is ratified, the NFL will no longer suspend players for positive tests for marijuana or other substances of abuse. While this CBA includes a harsher PED policy, the new substance-abuse standards will focus more on treatment. However, Florio writes that the league won’t automatically reinstate already-banned players like Josh Gordon, Martavis Bryant, and Randy Gregory. These players will still be required to go through the standard reinstatement process.
This sure sounds like a leak to media to press players for an approval in this voting round. Seriously doubt any owner wants to pass up the upcoming TV deals.
Agree 100% and it’s the players who can get a better deal in 21’ but they’re never united and hence it will never happen.
Absolutely.
As a media leak this doesn’t work to the owners advantage at all. A 17-14-1 vote is a very modest endorsement of the proposal to say the least. Fans are addicted to the game (despite it continually degrading as a quality product) so obtaining lucrative TV deals is never going to be a problem for the owners.
and who are Mr. Fowler’s sources? did the owners willingly divulge this information to his trust.
Big thing the players should have fought for is lifetime health care. Take less money but get that benefit
Agree with the lifetime health care thought and issue . Rather surprised players don’t already have that coverage to some extent ? Take care of the retired players/spouse ?
Baseball players get lifetime healthcare if they stay in the league for 10 years. If they stay 11 years, then their spouse gets lifetime healthcare as well.
Pure posturing. If there are owners who don’t want it they are few and far between. They voted on this
Of course there are owners that don’t want it to pass, like the 14 that voted against it. Just like there are players that will and won’t vote for it. Not really news here.
The voting results were that of the union executives not the owners. Strategically the owners always try to present themselves as a force of solidarity before the public…although sometimes they have to reign in Jerry Jones.
This whole drug war is insane.
Keep your hands off my body and outside my house and car!
If the commish can overrule the arbitrator at will then why have an arbitrator!!??
I think the purpose of the arbitrator here is to make the rulings on what falls under the very ambiguous umbrella of a personal conduct violation.
Owners want the 18th regular season game and to lose the preseason just because pests face it people don’t care about preseason.