NFL's Vincent On Why Conduct Policy Was Not Collectively Bargained

NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent this morning on ESPN Radio discussed the league’s new personal conduct policy and why it was not collectively bargained, something the NFLPA lobbied for. Vincent said, “It’s never been collectively bargained, but then as recently as 2011, this wasn’t an issue that was raised, that the influence of the commissioner’s office should remain there. … It was negotiated when, at the negotiation table in 2011, the union at that particular time gave the commissioner the authority. That’s black and white.”

Vincent said the players continue to “raise the question of consistency” in regards to discipline. He said, “We haven’t been. We have to acknowledge that and we’ve continued to acknowledge that. They’re looking for that. As a player, you want consistency. … We have failed in some of those areas, but we believe that our new policy, again, allows us to be firm for these criminal acts, fair, consistent and clear” (“Mike and Mike,” ESPN Radio, 12/11).