NFL owners and the NFLPA "are in private negotiations"
in N.Y. in an effort to extend the present CBA, "which in
turn would trigger a television network deal that would be
the largest in sports history," according to Will McDonough
of the BOSTON GLOBE. Sources told McDonough that the NFL
owners' labor committee "has been meeting since Sunday" with
NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw to "see if there is sentiment" to
extend the present deal past 2001. Owners are "telling the
players" that an extended CBA "concurrent with the TV deals
would mean more money for both sides from the networks" and
have asked the players "for concessions that would restrict
spending above the salary cap and help them control costs."
But the NFLPA has said it will not "give back anything on
free agency, the salary cap, an uncapped year, or prorated
bonuses in order to get more money" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/17).
SEEING GREEN: An arbitrator ruled that 49ers LB Kevin
Greene has to pay back the $350,000 "roster bonus" the
Panthers gave him in February when the team thought he was
going to play for them in '97, according to Scott Fowler of
the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The arbitrator did not force Greene
to pay back the $289,000 in fines the Panthers levied on him.
Panthers GM Bill Polian: "[Players and their agents are now
on notice that you can't breach a contract willfully and get
away with it." The Panthers will have the $350,000 available
under the salary cap (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/16).
