After some scary negotiations, the NFL is back and ready to kick off the 2020 season, barring any sidetrack from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement after our Board of Representatives meeting: pic.twitter.com/0OEiuDArVS
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) July 24, 2020
The NFL and NFLPA reached agreement on COVID-19 adjustments to the CBA Friday. Get ready for training camps, which are slated to open July 28 for most teams.
On Friday, owners and leaders of the players union reached an agreement on the parameters of the preseason acclimation window and changes to the collective bargaining agreement that will help ease the financial shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours after the owners voted to ratify the agreement, the NFLPA executive committee unanimously approved the pact.
The matter was then passed on to the 32-member board of player representatives, which also approved the deal, ensuring the following guidelines will be implemented in time for training camps to begin by July 28:
Some of the details via NFL.com
The agreed-upon deal includes an allowance for 16-man practice squads, high-risk and general opt-outs of participation due to the pandemic (deadline date to be determined), and the absence of a preseason for 2020.
Training camp is set to be comprised of 20 days of a ramp-up period and a maximum of 14 padded practices.
Financially, the league will spread the impact of any 2020 revenue shortfall due to the pandemic over four years beginning in 2021. The salary cap will be at least $175 million in 2021, while the 2020 cap of $198.2 million remains unchanged. The two sides were able to reach an agreement after owners raised the minimum cap for 2021 from $165 million to $175 million and dropped their request for an $8 million reduction in cap for 2020.