The NFL has backed off of its pitch to place 35% of player salaries in escrow. Instead, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com hears, they’re now proposing a $40MM reduction of the 2020 salary cap and/or player benefits. Needless to say, that’s a non-starter for union leadership.
[RELATED: 72 NFL Players Test Positive For COVID-19]
“No thanks,” one anonymous player told Pelissero. “Not taking the COVID risk and (the) financial burden.”
The league, however, did make one key concession. Under their proposal, players would be permitted to opt out of the 2020 season by providing written notice by August 1. It’s not immediately clear whether those players would receive a portion of their salaries under that proposal, however. Ideally, the union would like those players to have full compensation – or something close to it – plus an accredited season towards free agency.
The clock is ticking for both sides, but we could see some movement today. League owners are expected to hold a virtual meeting this afternoon to huddle up on the training camp schedule, opt-outs, testing protocols, and other high-priority items. Reportedly, the NFL has agreed to a modification of the injured reserve rules that will allow players to be placed under a new “COVID-19” designation, should they test positive for the coronavirus.
This won’t go over well.
yep, they’re headed for the same impasse that baseball faced.
I could see the NFL having larger issues with this than baseball, since most of these guys don’t have guaranteed deals. The middle class player is going to get pinched badly in this deal, if it’s just a straight cap reduction.
I completely agree… plus, adding in the fact that the average NFL career is much shorter than most (all?) other pro sports leagues. Asking an NFL player to take a financial hit is a really hard sell.
I don’t understand how they would expect the union to take such a hit on the current cap… Do any teams even have $40M of cap space to give up??? I’m hoping this is just a typo by someone and it was proposed for 2021 (instead of whatever (likely more severe) reduction will be imposed by the existing CBA based on the revenue decline this year.
Wishing you all the best NFL.
– MLB
Redskins article is “closed for comment”. Is this freedom of the press? Shame on you trade rumors.
its to avoid offensive and political commontary. articles like that tend to get that way.
Umm, have you read the comment sections on those articles here?
If you need a refresher course as to how rude and inappropriate commenters can get, go read the comments section on a Yahoo story about Washington…
also funny that only giving players until the end of the month to opt out is called a “concession”
This is a tough situation. I understand it from both sides, however the union wanting players who opt out to receive their full salaries and a year of credit towards their contracts is a pipe dream. Simple. You opt out, and that’s your right, you don’t get paid or a year of credit. Otherwise, we could have players like Dak Prescott opt out. Sit at home collect his $31mm and then be ready for next year contract negotiations. While one of the 7th round draft choices puts his health on the line for that league rookie minimum salary of $100k.
Looks like we may go a full year without football.
Why would players opt out on a season that’s looking more and more like lost cause?
The hope the teams don’t budge. Next negations when 40 million is rejected by the players is $50 million. Only way to teach these marxists a lesson
I doubt that the NFL’s number one priority right now is teaching lessons.
Please tell me all you know about Marxism.
Cancel 2020. Let’s start over next year. All contracts are extended 1 season.