The NFL Coaches Association (NFLCA) -- which represents
18 head coaches and more than 400 assistant coaches --
"recently informed" the NFL that "unless an agreement is
reached by the beginning" of June, it would file a lawsuit
against the league "seeking improved retirement and benefit
packages," according to Mike Freeman of the N.Y. TIMES, who
reported that the lawsuit "might also allege age
discrimination." Although there's a "solid chance the
situation could soon be settled without court action,"
several team owners and NFLCA members "believe a legal
battle may be imminent." But the NFL "maintains that it
knows nothing of a possible lawsuit and is hopeful an
agreement can be reached." The NFLCA "wants a system" in
which a coach can collect benefits when his age and years of
service "add up to" 75. The NFLCA also wants "to establish"
health insurance for retired coaches, seeking independent
arbitrators, as "opposed to the league, settle contract
disputes," and also seek a $250,000 life insurance policy
"to carry over into" retirement (N.Y. TIMES, 5/14).
