NFLPA leaders want to get a new CBA deal done while President Eric Winston is still in office through March '21 GETTY IMAGES
The NFL has "begun its push for a new labor agreement" with the NFLPA, even though the current CBA "does not expire for another year and a half," according to Draper & Belson of the N.Y. TIMES. People involved in the current negotiations "expect the league to agree to a modest increase in the players' share of league revenue, and for there to be few major changes." The owners currently receive about 52% of "shared revenue." One owner said that he "did not expect the owners to give up a significant percentage of shared revenue." Players are more "focused on details that would help grow the NFL's middle class by raising minimum salaries and increasing performance-based bonuses." Draper & Belson note the NFL will be in a "strong position when it begins media negotiations," and some media execs "expect the league to win large rights fee increases after a season in which ratings rebounded and a new generation of stars emerged." The "certainty of a long-term labor deal would only strengthen the NFL's hand." Meanwhile, NFLPA leaders "want to get a deal done" while President Eric Winston is still in office through March '21 and "not risk a shift in leadership during negotiations." The two sides "plan to continue talks in smaller groups." One owner said that a deal "could be renewed 'within a year'" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/28).
BETTER THIS TIME AROUND: In Boston, Ben Volin cited a source as saying that negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA have "been much friendlier this time than they were 10 years ago." The source "predicted that a deal could get done next spring." One of the NFLPA's "main focuses so far is helping out the young veterans and 'middle class' of veteran players that have been getting the squeeze by this current CBA." Owners are "happy to help the NFLPA achieve its goals, as long as it is just moving money around and not giving up a larger slice of revenue" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/26).
