Blackouts, CBA Big Issues As Season Nears

What does one take from Roger Goodell's briefing Thursday with members of the media? Well, that the NFL is not insulated from the global economic woes and that one shouldn't hold their breath on a new CBA. Goodell says the league could have 20% of its games blacked out in local markets, which is up considerably from the 4% last season. Goodell also notes the league is likely to lose its salary cap next season, but that doesn't seem to concern ownership. NFL General Counsel Jeff Pash says, “The owners have overcome whatever concern or reluctance they may have had in the past to go into an uncapped year.” League officials also are talking about why the CBA is not working for them, as CFO Anthony Noto says that for every dollar of new revenue generated by the league since the CBA's renewal in '06, the NFL has lost $0.06 and the players have reaped $0.75. Looking globally, Goodell says the league is considering "playing multiple games" in London as early as next year.