The National Football League and the NFL Players’ Association are running out of precious time to set a number of important protocols ahead of the start of the 2020 season.
Some of those contentious points surround the economic impact of players choosing to opt-out of the season due to safety concerns over the rampant spread of the coronavirus.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler outlined the particular requests in the players’ proposal to the league, citing a source involved.
- An opt-out clause for at-risk players to receive salary (but not bonuses) if they decide not to play.
- An opt-out clause for players with at-risk families to earn an accrued season and benefits if they decide not to play.
- An opt-out clause for players who leave the team after reporting (terms uncertain).
- A $250,000 stipend guaranteed to all players if they show up to camp and everything is shut down because of COVID-19 concerns. That amount rises to $500,000 if the season starts, only to be shut down.
Source: NFLPA seeking opt-out clauses, conditional stipends https://t.co/0yvkkrdHgW
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 15, 2020
Training camps around the league are set to kick off on July 28, with many rookies and other select players ready to report a week earlier. The clock is now ticking with just under a week to iron out the details.
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