By a very narrow margin, players in the National Football League approved a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it was reported Sunday.
The deadline for players to vote on the proposed CBA, which had already been extended once, passed shortly before midnight on the east coast Saturday night. With players on both sides of the proposed agreement making pitches over the past few days, it was uncertain how the vote would proceed, and if current “real world” events would have an impact. In the end, the margin was quite thin:
And this from Browns center J.C. Tretter, the NFLPA’s new president:
Just 51.5% of the players approved the new CBA.
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football, ” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”
Not all players were happy about the agreement, as one would expect from the close vote.
What does the new agreement mean? Generally speaking, the league gets ten years of labor peace. The approved CBA gives players an increased share of revenue, increases the game schedule to 17 games, increases the playoff field, and also increases benefits for the players.
In addition, the active roster on game days will expand two players to 48. Teams will also see an increase in the size of practice squads, that is rolled out over the next few seasons.
Teams are also limited to using just one tag in the off-season, either the transition tag or the franchise tag. That might immediately impact teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans who face difficult decisions this off-season with key free agents such as Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, and Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, respectively.
There are more immediate considerations as well, given the current global climate. With the free agency tampering period set to begin tomorrow, does the NFL proceed with business as usual, or does the league delay the start of free agency as the world looks to combat the COVID-19 crisis?
Regardless of how that question is answered, at least the league, the players and the fans have a clear answer on one of the biggest hurdles facing the sport this off-season.
After ten years of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area, Mark Schofield now dedicates his time to his first love: The game of football. The former college quarterback’s work has been featured a number of places, including The Washington Post, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, Pro Football Weekly and the Matt Waldman Rookie Scouting Portfolio.
