Roger Goodell, DeMaurice Smith Set To Formally Sign New CBA

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith today will sign the new CBA at the front steps of the Pro Football HOF in Canton, Ohio, as a "final, formal step" to implementing the labor deal (ESPN.com, 8/5). The NFL as part of the agreement "stands to become the first major sports league that tests blood" for HGH, pending final approval by the NFLPA. NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello said, "The goal is to begin testing for HGH the first week of the regular season. Over the next several weeks, we will discuss and develop with the union the specific arrangements for the test" (L.A. TIMES, 8/5). 

NFLLabor.com, the website designed to push the league’s position on issues regarding the work stoppage, yesterday included a final posting stating it “bids adieu ‘for at least 10 years.’” Meanwhile, the union-driven NFLLockout.com “remains active, with no new postings since July 26.” The NFLPA’s official website “has been resurrected, but for now it has no publicly-available information” (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/4).