The potential for a new CBA between the NFL and the NFLPA is in the hands of the masses. The players will be voting on it — within the next few weeks — after player representatives voted to send a new deal already approved by the owners, which includes a 17-game season to the full union membership.
The vote to send the proposal along was 17-14 with one abstention.
A few notes on NFLPA reps voting overnight to pass along proposed CBA to all players:
– Vote was 17-14 (1 abstained)
– Owners agreed to remove $250K cap on 17th game check for existing contracts, but rejected proposal to shorten offseason
– Timing of final vote to ratify TBD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 26, 2020
The current CBA expires in March of 2021. Owners want to avoid any potential of labor strife by working out an arrangement long before that timeframe.
The proposal now goes to the full union for a vote, though it won’t be accompanied by a formal recommendation from the player reps because it wasn’t approved by a 2/3 super majority. So, what will the players be weighing when they determine if there is labor peace?
In addition to the extra game in the regular season, which is expected to begin in 2021, there will be more roster spots; a shortened preseason; a higher percentage of revenue for players; and upgraded pensions for former players.
The NFL plans to open the franchise and transition tag window Thursday, and under rules of the Final League Year, teams can use both. However, if/when a new CBA is ratified, its full terms take effect immediately, so the NFLPA would expect any team that used 2 tags to vacate 1.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 26, 2020
So, how does a 17-game regular season balance when the number of games would be odd? Teams would have nine home games and eight road games in alternating season.
Among other issues on the table that owners have green-lit are:
-
- A cap on the number of international games and that there would not be a full week of such contests. More likely is a continued mix of games in England (and other European sites) and Mexico.
- Training camp padded practices would be reduced from a total of 28 to 16. There would be more days off during camp — eight instead of five — and a limit on joint practices.
- No extra bye week in the regular season. Teams would have two weeks to prepare for the season opener, with the elimination of the fourth preseason game.
- Rosters would expand from 53 to 55, with 48 players able to dress for games rather than the current 46. Practice squads would go from 10 players to 12 and eventually to 14, probably by 2022.
While a majority is all that is needed to ratify the CBA, there will be opposition.
Russell Wilson and other NFL players come out against new proposed CBA:https://t.co/cL82LcCSDp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2020
The @NBA & @MLB are doing it right.
Players come first.ALL @NFL players deserve the same.
WE should not rush the next 10 YEARS for Today’s satisfaction.
I VOTE NO.
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 26, 2020
Clarence E. Hill, Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the Executive Committee’s vote against the proposed CBA went from 6-5 on Friday to 7-4 on Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/clarencehilljr/status/1232567804186038272
It’s unclear who changed his vote. Members of the Executive Committee who are believed to be opposed to the CBA include Richard Sherman, Russell Okung, and Adam Vinatieri.
SO MANY rumors on what this deal entails for the @NFLPA…any player w any questions/concerns about this deal please reach out 2 me! Ive been at every meeting the past 3 months. Would love to tell u exactly the economics behind this. Player leadership has worked tirelessly for u!
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) February 26, 2020
I implore all of the current players to reach out to their agents and consult with them before voting on the CBA proposal. Please get informed by the people who YOU chose to give a percentage of YOUR contract to. Remember, they will act in YOUR best interest. #NFLPA #CBA
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) February 26, 2020