NFL Lockout: 'Leaked' CBA Details Could Jeopardize Future Health of NFL

by Rich Langford on Jun 21, 2011 1:54 PM PDT in News

For the first time in 2011 NFL lockout news we have terms that both sides seemed to have reach some sort of consensus on coming to light. According to an ESPN report Roger Goodell will be presenting the items listed below to team officials at today's owners' meetings. ESPN also reported hearing from a source that: "This is strictly informational. There is nothing to vote on."

If the reported points are accurate than it certainly appears both sides have made concessions. Jump over for the details....

Players get 48 percent of "all revenue," without extra $1-billion-plus off top that previously had been requested by owners.

Players' share will never dip below 46.5 percent, under new formula being negotiated.

Teams required to spend minimum 90-93 percent of the salary cap.

Rookie wage scale part of deal but still being "tweaked."

18-game regular season designated only as negotiable item and at no point is mandated in deal.

New 16-game Thursday night TV package beginning in 2012.

Owners still will get some expense credits that will allow funding for new stadiums.

Retirees to benefit from improved health care, pension benefits as revenue projected to double to $18 million by 2016.

I went across the bay to Niners Nation to steal Fooch's wonderful bullet point breakdown.

The good news for the Raiders here is the expense credits for the new stadiums.

The key issue, and one that could really hang up this process, is the floor on the salary cap. The fact that every team would have to spend 90-93 percent of the salary cap has helped ease the sting for the players dropping their percentage of the share. They are not going to be flexible on the salary cap floor without raising their share percentage.

The owners of small market teams are going to be leery of this floor without enhanced revenue sharing. This, of course, is something they will have to agree to amongst themselves. But the salary cap is going to be driven up by big market teams like the Cowboys and Patriots, and with the current revenue sharing teams it could force the smaller teams to operate with a budget they can't afford.

Owners like Jerry Jones will point to the expense credits as a reason why they should not increase the revenue sharing. The reasoning is that the onus should be on teams to enhance their product to increase their revenue, but the reality is that small market teams, no matter how good, or how well run, will not be able to bring in as much local revenue as the big markets. And just like the income disparity in all walks of American life the divide is getting bigger by the day.

Read more on the owners inner fight over revenue sharing:

Revenue Sharing is Likely Source of Owners Inner Negotiations

Another big item to come out of this report is this:

If and when an agreement is reached, all players whose contracts have expired and have four or more years of experience are expected to be unrestricted free agents, sources familiar with the talks told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Certain tags will be retained but that still is being discussed.

This is going to radically change the free agent landscape, and I think it will likely cost the Raiders Michael Bush.

Read more on the unlikeliness of the Raiders being able to retain Bush:

Did the Latest NFL Lockout Ruling Cost the Oakland Raiders Michael Bush?

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Good Job But Further Info Has Already Surfaced...

The Owners in an attempt to solidify in the public eye after talk of dissensions have released their statement that their together on certain $$$$ points….

“It was a good day in the sense of we had a full discussion on the issues,” Goodell said. “Ownership is united and determined to reach an agreement and have a full 2011 season. … The membership has a strong view of the priorities and what we need to do and a determination to get there.”

NFL general counsel Jeff Pash echoed those words, saying: “I think we have a consensus within the ownership on the priorities. I think we have a consensus within the ownership on the fundamental economic principles we’re looking for. And I think that’s been true for some time.”

Other than that both sides seem to be ready to move forward…

Looking at the deal:

48% is a sizable reduction and I’m totally down with that…No $Bil chunk just a workable deal good for the long term health of the NFL…

Having a guaranteed floor at 46.5% is interesting…That leaves the door open for further reductions in the future is $$$$ is hindered…

Return of the Cap but with the obligation to spend most of the $$$ is good for the Players…Wouldn’t want to be the owner trying to sign a player with lot’s of room under the Cap…Might have to pay a king’s ransom to some agent n player…

Rookie wage scale is absolutely mandatory but no agreement as to how much yet…

18 game addable season is good for everyone if agreed upon…The revenue would no doubt increase for all after new TV contracts…

Thursday night TV package is an extra $$$ maker as well……

Stadium $$$ is good for the small Owners and for the Players who get to play in those new venues…Not to mention good for the fans if the ticket $$$$ can be held to a reasonable rate…

Retired benefits is always a good thing depending upon who administers it…My Union is who delivers mine and that’s a constant area of dispute as they always try to find some way to hold it back or diminish it as they did in the beginning…Ripped me off of 18 months of benefits and at a reduced rate from what should have been after I had to fight to get anything at all out of the bastards after they lied to me that I wasn’t entitled…My employer Bechtel was the one who played ball with me NOT the damn Union in early retirement due to an on the job injury…My Stewart n General Foreman w the Superintendent n Medical Regulator walked me off that job site one morning while I was still manning that job everyday never missing a single hour of work from 7/30 to 10/10 of 01…7/30/01 was the injury date when I crushed several disc in my neck…C-2 to C-7 with 3 disc herniation and pressure on the Spinal Cord…They thought the MRI’s were mixed up and didn’t believe it was me who had this damage because I stayed on that job…After they discovered the severity they escorted me off against my desires and retired me as they refused any further dispatches…..I think the silly bastards were un-nerved by my show of strength while other workers cry at the 1st signs of pain..Maybe afraid employers would get to expect this conduct from the masses…Not a chance as few others are as stupid this way as I am…Just get up and don’t let anyone know your hurting was the old-school way from the sports I played…

by PantyRaider on Jun 21, 2011 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

Oh! Forgot...Just Say NO To The 4th Year Freedom Package...

Teams need to have players tied up beyond just 4 seasons…About the time you develop a player you loose them and that hurts the teams who drafted them…Let the drafting team have 1st right of refusal isf another deal is offered or some other way to retain their valuable players…

by PantyRaider on Jun 21, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

If a player wants to move on after 4 years then it's best for both parties (franchise and player) that he be untethered

Loyalty is a good thing, but a player may not be happy with his situation and that will cause problems for everyone.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/1911]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 22, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions