For all that remains undetermined about the NFL — and sports worldwide — this much is certain: the league will have 11 years of labor peace.
The NFL Players associated announced Sunday that its members ratified the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement by a vote of 1,019-959. It was close — the vote needed a simple majority to pass. Players were allowed to vote online until 10:59 p.m. Saturday.
It clears the way for an extra playoff team in each conference starting in 2020 — the No. 1 seed will be the only one to get a postseason bye — and a 17-game regular season as soon as 2021.
The salary cap is expected to rise $10 million to $198.2 million, effective immediately, per NFL Network.
The CBA will increase active rosters — and game-day rosters — by two players. Practice squads will grow, too. The preseason will shrink to three games, with each team having a week free of games before Week 1 of the regular season.
Players will receive 48 percent of total revenue, rather than 47. The number can rise to 48.5 percent depending on media rights deals.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he was “pleased” by the development, 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.”
Players were allowed to vote online until 10:59 p.m. Saturday. The NFLPA had delayed its vote on the CBA twice over the past month. Many NFL stars— including J.J. Watt, Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and others — stated their opposition to the deal on social media. Many found it disingenuous that owners who said they prioritized player safety were able to add an extra game — and an opportunity to be injured.
Bears receiver Allen Robinson told WMVP-1000’s “Waddle and Silvy” show on Friday that he voted against the CBA because the 17th game increases the chance of injury. He said that once the league added a 17th game, it would never been taken away.
So weak fam, dudes wanna vote outta fear. It really show where dudes head at
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 15, 2020
Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan was more coy Friday night, joking that it was nothing of reporters’ business what he did. He hinted that 17 games weren’t a big deal, though.
“If we go to the playoffs, we’re gonna play 17 games anyway,” he said.
Our statement on the CBA vote: pic.twitter.com/3pXydLLQ9c
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 15, 2020
At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith sounded confident the deal would pass. One reason: the deal promises a $100,000 raise to players on minimum salary. Smith said that 60 percent of players fall into that category.
The economic climate for owners looks much different now than it did in mid-February, when they approved the CBA and sent it to the players. At the time, they wanted to settle the CBA a year before it expired in 2021 so they could move on to television rights negotiations. It’s unclear what affect the coronavirus will have on those television negotiations.
@NFLPA I really hope you all know what you are doing & have the players best interest by approving this new deal.
— Charles Tillman (@peanuttillman) March 15, 2020
The NFL is still saying it plans to begin the free agent period with a legal tampering period on Monday — though it’s possible the league was waiting until the CBA vote was official to announce a delay.
The NFL on Friday canceled all pre-draft meetings between prospects and team officials, be they at the team’s facility or elsewhere. Earlier, it canceled the annual meeting, which was scheduled to begin March 29 in Palm Beach, Fla.
