Takeaway No. 2: Splitting the Revenue Stream
The new CBA will guarantee players 48% of the league’s overall revenue stream, with the potential for 48.8% through a media kicker which applies when the league plays 17 game seasons.
The players were previously guaranteed 47%, so this represents a small bump for the players. However, they still fall short of every other major sports league, with the NBA between 49-51%, the NHL at at least 50% and the MLB at roughly 50% as well.
Many players argued against the new CBA for this reason in particular, including Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
“The NBA & MLB are doing it right,” Wilson wrote in a tweet. “Players come first. ALL NFL players deserve the same. WE should not rush the next 10 YEARS for Today’s satisfaction.”
Wilson and the rest of the players will have to settle for a smaller portion of the pie than the rest of the major sports leagues, despite playing a sport with much higher injury risk.