The Official Nfl Cba/lockout Thread
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Given a 24 hour extension probably to try to get a week extension
Given a 24 hour extension probably to try to get a week extension
Hopefully things get worked out. The more time they spend talking, the better the chance that an agreement can be reached.
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There's a chance a new CBA could get done today, crossing fingers
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7 Day Extension Confirmed via ESPN twitter.
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I hope we don't have to wait till Friday for a new CBA and free agency
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8:25
MikeSilver: Scott Fujita & I will be soaking up the center of the universe & pre-celebrating a potential CBA. Because Cal fans pre-celebrate like no one [via Twitter]
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6192748
WASHINGTON -- The NFL Players Association retained an international investment bank to help it decide whether the league's offer to reveal more financial information during negotiations will be enough to satisfy the union's call for full disclosure.
Zeroing in on the crux of the labor dispute -- how to split $9 billion in revenues -- one NFLPA executive committee member, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, said in a telephone interview Tuesday with The Associated Press and NFL Network that what the NFL has turned over to the union so far "hasn't been sufficient."
Another executive committee member, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, said as he left Tuesday's 9½-hour mediation session that the bank would "help judge how helpful the material they were offering to give us" would be.
The current collective bargaining agreement was set to expire last week, but two extensions now have pushed the cutoff to the end of Friday.
Influential Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Monday from Israel that he believes a labor deal is "possible."
Kraft, who's in Israel on a trade mission with the governor of Massachusetts, believes an agreement on a deal is not out of the question.
"We're doing everything we can to get a deal consummated," Kraft said to Comcast Sports New England on Monday. "I personally believe it's possible ...
"[The] good news is, it's always good to be talking when you have differences of opinion. It's the only way you have a chance [to reach an agreement]. So we're talking, and I know from ownership's side that we feel there's a deal to be made and we'd very much like to do it."
Kraft said he is in constant phone contact with Goodell, but would leave Israel early if necessary.
One key question is what cut team owners should get up front to help cover costs such as stadium construction and improvement. Under the old deal, owners received more than $1 billion off the top. They entered these negotiations seeking to add another $1 billion to that amount, before other revenues are divided with players.
Sources familiar with the process told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter last Friday that the sides narrowed the financial gap between them by roughly $5 million per team per year. Nevertheless, a significant divide exists -- roughly $25 million per team per year. With 32 teams in the league, the gap equates to $750 million to $800 million per year.
Also, the NFL has not agreed to the union's long-held demand that the league completely open its books, repeatedly saying the players have enough data. The union says it is not enough.
"We're being asked to give back almost a billion dollars, so it's important for us to adequately analyze and interpret the little bit of information that's been provided," said Fujita, who attended negotiations last month but not this week. "And ultimately, if they're unwilling to provide full audited statements, then we need to know what other information we need to make a sound decision."
Asked whether having full financial transparency from the league is a deal-breaker, NFLPA assistant executive director for external affairs George Atallah replied: "In the face of an almost billion-dollar ask? Yes."
Atallah would not identify the investment bank, which he said has been advising the union for a "couple of months."
The NFL's lead labor negotiator, Jeff Pash, said the bank has not contacted the league.
"We feel like we've given a lot of financial information. And we understand they may have a different view," Pash said. "But I'm not going to get into what we discussed with them this week."
He was part of an NFL group Tuesday that included commissioner Roger Goodell, New York Giants owner John Mara, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay -- chairman of the league's competition committee -- and Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen.
The NFLPA contingent included executive director DeMaurice Smith, president Kevin Mawae and several current or former players, including Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel and Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth.
Top NFLPA outside counsel Jeffrey Kessler wasn't present Monday or Tuesday.
When Smith exited after the longest of the 13 days of mediation since it began Feb. 18, he was asked why the union brought aboard the investment bank.
"Look, this is a $9 billion business, and the players are -- and have been -- very involved in what we call the business of football," Smith said.
"Having the best and brightest people in the world advising us on financial matters -- that's just good business," he added.
If a deal isn't reached by Friday, the sides could agree to another extension. Or talks could break off, leading to, possibly, a lockout by owners or antitrust lawsuits by players.
The NFL has not lost games to a work stoppage in nearly a quarter-century. By agreeing to continue with mediation, the league and union made it clear neither was quite ready to make the drastic move of shutting down a sport that is more popular than ever. The past two Super Bowls rank No. 1 and No. 2 among most-watched TV programs in U.S. history.
Fujita said he's "hopeful" a deal can be reached by Friday, but he also noted: "'Hope' -- I don't know if that means anything."
Either way, he considers it imperative that the players know more about the owners' financial records.
"What they've provided so far hasn't been sufficient. Asking for almost a billion dollars back -- that's a huge, huge leap of faith. And that's kind of what it's been so far -- them asking us to take a leap of faith," Fujita said. "And we can't do that without sound judgment."
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Withholding financial information is really shady. It just makes the owners look even more greedy.
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I don't think so.
I have heard there has been progress.
Maybe the additional information released convinced the players bankers a few of the teams are in trouble, now or in the near future if something isn't agreed upon.
This isn't about the team like the Cowboys,Giants, or Pats....it about the Bengals, Panthers, Jags, or maybe Browns.
Teams folding isn't going to help anybody.
As of now, the players are the cost of goods AND the major labor outlay.
It simply doesn't work for owners any longer
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The death of the NFL, thanks guys a big FU to all the fans and everyone else associated. I think it might be time to move on from football
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I hate NFL owners. Period. The Browns hurt the most from this. New head coach, young QB, no communication. There goes our above .500 season.
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What does this mean as far as getting a deal done? Is it more likely to happen know that they can sue?
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What does this mean as far as getting a deal done? Is it more likely to happen know that they can sue?
What does this mean as far as getting a deal done? Is it more likely to happen know that they can sue?
Yes but it takes longer.
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No months of court cases and appeals, unless I think of the NFL decides not to lock them out. Which I would think it would be hilarious a ploy from the owners so their is no union anymore
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I think both sides are in the wrong but the more I see and hear from the players, I believe that it was never DeMaurice Smith's intention to come to any mediated agreement. I am starting to think that the owners were the ones revising proposals and the NFLPA just sat there with arms folded trying to win the court of public opinion before ultimately decertifying and suing the league. This is why Smith was hired in the first place.
I am sick and tired of hearing the players moan about "opening the books". The NFL gets audited every year and the NFLPA sees those audits. The owners even agreed to have a mutually appointed third party go through the books. The players refused. The reason they don't want to open the books has more to do with some owners not wanting other owners to see how much they are or are not making. I imagine the disparity between Jerry Jones and Ralph Wilson is very large.
I am considering being done with the NFL. My dad swore off baseball in '94 and he was a big baseball fan. The rest of his life, he only went back once when my son wanted to go. I don't want to turn into that. I just am having a hard time swallowing a lockout. Everyone is hating on the owners and those owners aren't without blame...but I think that the real wool-over-the-eyes here is the act that the NFLPA just put over on the public.
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I think both sides are in the wrong but the more I see and hear from the players, I believe that it was never DeMaurice Smith's intention to come to any mediated agreement. I am starting to think that the owners were the ones revising proposals and the NFLPA just sat there with arms folded trying to win the court of public opinion before ultimately decertifying and suing the league. This is why Smith was hired in the first place.
I am sick and tired of hearing the players moan about "opening the books". The NFL gets audited every year and the NFLPA sees those audits. The owners even agreed to have a mutually appointed third party go through the books. The players refused. The reason they don't want to open the books has more to do with some owners not wanting other owners to see how much they are or are not making. I imagine the disparity between Jerry Jones and Ralph Wilson is very large.
I am considering being done with the NFL. My dad swore off baseball in '94 and he was a big baseball fan. The rest of his life, he only went back once when my son wanted to go. I don't want to turn into that. I just am having a hard time swallowing a lockout. Everyone is hating on the owners and those owners aren't without blame...but I think that the real wool-over-the-eyes here is the act that the NFLPA just put over on the public.
I am sick and tired of hearing the players moan about "opening the books". The NFL gets audited every year and the NFLPA sees those audits. The owners even agreed to have a mutually appointed third party go through the books. The players refused. The reason they don't want to open the books has more to do with some owners not wanting other owners to see how much they are or are not making. I imagine the disparity between Jerry Jones and Ralph Wilson is very large.
Well if that's the case why don't the owners open the books for the nflpa? If they already have the data which they don't, they should'nt have a problem. The owners want the players to take the pay cut. But I feel the owners are being very dishonest on what they say they make, or there wouldn't be a big deal. Right?
Also the tv money that was given to the nfl was to keep the nfl afloat for the long hall. So that says they wanted the lockout. I can't take sides they both suck. But in my eyes the league seems to be more deceitful.
I seen Jerry jones he looks a little nervous.
After building that stadium he needs football.
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As usual, I may be viewing this too simplistically, but I think BOTH sides are being stupid & selfish, ESPECIALLY in this economy. I don't think anyone gains from a work stoppage...not the owners, players, or fans. Fans will have to find other sports/leisure outlets to replace football (IF this is long term) & some will STAY away.
Reality is that the stoppage is here & we'll just see what happens.
Mike
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How is this going to affect the Draft? Is there still going to be trades on draft day, and will trades involve players or only picks?
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Greedy agents and lawyers have killed Major League Baseball. I hope they dont do the same with Pro Football.
I will watch scab players if that is what the NFL chooses to put on the field. Some of these players cannot afford to miss a season. It could mean their whole career as a professional athlete.
FL Players' Union Decertifies: Could There Be No Football Season in 2011?
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Erie dawg, have u even seen the list of concessions by the owners? Based on your reply....I think not.
Nflpa only needs the books so they know how much to ask for without making the league broke. Players are employees....not partners.
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