The NFL and NFL Players Association need to come to an agreement about a new collective bargaining agreement by March 2021 or there could be a work stoppage like the lockout in 2011.
Some talks began last year but there appears to be a continuing sticking point in the way of a potential early agreement, avoiding a work stoppage.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, expanding the regular season to 17 games is the issue of concern.
Writes Graziano:
The owners’ current proposal would not expand the regular season immediately but would give them the option to expand the season to 17 games at some point during the life of the deal. Expanded playoffs also remain a possibility, and a shortened preseason would go hand-in-hand with any expansion of the season. Throughout the negotiations, the two sides have argued over how much the players’ share of revenue (currently no less than 47%) would have to rise in order to get them to agree to expand the season.
But in recent days, some prominent players have spoken out against the idea of a 17-game season under any conditions, and as a result some of the optimism regarding the potential of reaching a new deal this offseason has begun to fade. Smith made it clear Tuesday that he would do whatever the players wanted him to do, and that they would ultimately have a chance to vote on any deal he and his executive committee negotiated and recommended to them.
There is the possibility of a vote this week but it is unlikely. They could vote on a potential agreement in March and they also could vote to authorize a strike if there is no agreement by the time the CBA expires in March 2021.
Hopefully, negotiations are fruitful and there is no work stoppage next year.
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Ep. 256
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Ep. 255
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