Feb 5: All 32 player reps will meet Thursday to further consider the proposed CBA, per Maske (via Twitter). Reiterating his report from February 2, Maske says that a vote is possible, but not definite.
Feb 2: ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter report that the NFLPA will convene again after the Super Bowl to vote on the 17-game schedule. They describe the vote as a “make-or-break” development for the new CBA, because the league owners want to get something done asap and are prepared to table their proposal and play out the 2020 season without a new deal in place, which would dramatically heighten the possibility of a work stoppage in 2021.
Because the negotiations to date have been based on a 17-game schedule, Mike Florio of Pro Football suggests that it may be too late for the players to back out of that plan unless they are prepared for a stoppage. But Mortensen and Schefter note that the owners are willing to make a number of concessions — including changes to the drug policy, on-field discipline fine schedule, and greater cash spending minimums for teams — and the players may be warming to the 17-game plan.
A longer season would likely commence in 2021, though an increased revenue share for the players would kick in immediately.
Meanwhile, Mark Maske of the Washington Post says it’s not certain a vote will take place in the coming days. But if it does, and if two-thirds of player reps approve the 17-game CBA, it will go to all players for a ratification vote (Twitter links).
Feb 1: Updates on the status of the collective bargaining agreement continue to emerge. Here are the latest details coming out of the Miami-based discussions:
- Like the CBA the 2011 talks produced, this next one would run for 10 years, Judy Battista of NFL.com tweets. However, the next agreement would run through the 2030 season — even if it is agreed to before the 2020 slate. Some of the benefits agreed to in this deal, though, would start immediately, per Battista. The current CBA expires in March 2021.
- Shifting to the main talking point of these CBA discussions, the potential debut of a 17-game season continues to be delayed. After a report pointed to the expanded schedule moving back to at least 2021, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes that the likely start date of a 17-game schedule would be 2022 (video link). This would be aimed at coinciding with the new TV deals, per Rapoport. Most of the league’s TV contracts run through 2022. The CBA also may not mandate a start time for the 17-game slate, with Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com relaying that the owners’ latest proposal gives the NFL the option of pushing the schedule to 17 games at some point over the life of the deal. This would then become a bargaining chip for the league with networks.
- Concern has, however, emerged on both sides that the 17-game component to these talks could nix a near-future deal, per Graziano and Fowler. Many players have spoken out against the 17-game season, which would be even less appealing for the players now that the once-rumored double-bye format is not believed to be a part of the new setup. Russell Okung‘s potential election as the next NFLPA president in March would stand to further waylay a 17-game season, as the Chargers offensive lineman is against lengthening the season.
- Another aspect of these talks: the funding rule. Owners have used the decades-old rule — which stipulates teams must put guaranteed money in a league escrow account upon authorizing a contract — as a reason to limit guarantees. But with this rule implemented in a different era, when some of the league’s teams were not nearly as financially stable as they are today, players are aiming to remove it in the next CBA.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Only trust your fists.
Police will never help you.
Unless you are white.
You really went there?
I’m white and the cops beat the crap out of me…of course I was high on meth and trying to break into a Walgreens to get my baby mommas sister some tampons…but who’s keeping tabs
What does this have to do with the article?
They should trade more games for fully guaranteed contracts.
the MLB and NBA don’t have anything about guaranteed contracts in their CBA. it comes down to individual players and agents forcing that. Kirk Cousins did it. the players need to make it the norm for it to happen.
As a fan, how does this improve your NFL experience? Guaranteed contracts will leave owners spending more for players not on their rosters. This will lead to rosters stocked with UDFA’s to keep costs low. Have you enjoyed watching MLB teams blow up their rosters in a years long rebuild?
Garunteed contracts in exchange for 18 week, 17 game season.
I like the idea of 17 games, but a 19 week schedule. 2 bye weeks, and play the super bowl over presidents weekend.
Yes! Or on Saturday!
Yes definitely if not that weekend it absolutely should be moved to a Saturday.
Should do an 18 week season, eliminate pre season games. Begin camp two weeks later, it is not like camp is a revenue stream for teams. Cut the number of camp bodies to 75 but add two slots to 55, all of whom would be available on game day. More jobs for players, longer vacation period, less wear and tear for players, two more weeks of inventory for owners, reduces costs of preseason.
That’s spot on. Right now it seems like the owners just want more money for themselves, so forget player health. Go play an extra game, at a location likely to be a logistical nightmare, with no extra bye. That’s heartless. Cut 2 preseason games off then. Add roster spots.
Cutting out all of those preseason games leaves teams in the dark about getting the right personal and starting that close to the season is a recipe for a whole lot more season ending injuries. Not a good idea on both counts. Starters really only play the equivalent of a game to 1&1/2 games anyways.
What a great day for a ball game…lets play 17 🙁