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Owners Approve Proposed Labor Deal

Posted By ChiefsWarpath.com On July 21, 2011 @ 7:50 pm In Latest News | Comments Disabled

[ESPN.com] The first step in ending the NFL lockout, which began on March 11, has finally taken place. On the 132nd day of the lockout, the NFL team owners have voted on the settlement and the new CBA has passed.

The final voting results were 31 to nothing, with only the Oakland Raiders not voting.

The league will be preparing to open up training facilities on Saturday with the league year starting on Wednesday.

During the process, the Hall of Fame game between the Rams and the Bears has been cancelled.

Key aspects of the proposal include:

  • An agreement that covers the 2011 through 2020 seasons, including the 2021 draft.

  • Reducing the offseason program by five weeks and reducing organized team activities from 14 to 10; limiting full-contact practices in the preseason and regular season, and increasing number of days off for players.

  • Rookie wage scale to include four-year contracts for all drafted players (option for five years on first-rounders), three-year contracts for undrafted free agents, and strong anti-holdout rules.

  • Creation of a new fund to redistribute, beginning in 2012, savings from new rookie pay system to current and retired player benefits and a veteran player performance pool.

  • Unrestricted free agency for players after four accrued seasons; restricted free agency for players with three accrued seasons.

  • Over the next 10 years, additional funding for retiree benefits between $900 million and $1 billion. The largest single amount, $620 million, will be used for a new “Legacy Fund,” which will be devoted to increasing pensions for pre-1993 retirees.

  • Salary cap plus benefits of $142.4 million per club in 2011 and at least that amount in 2012 and 2013.

    The ball is in the players’ court now as everyone waits to see what their next move will be. A conference call among the players will take place tonight and it is possible that the players will be presented with information on any last minute changes that may have taken place. It is also possible that they may vote on the settlement terms on this call as well.

    In order for the lockout to end, the players must take the following steps:

  • Settle the Brady versus the NFL and television money deals.
  • Vote to re-certify the NFLPA as a union.
  • Vote to ratify the new CBA settlement.

    Updated: 7/22/11
    NFL Players Association lawyers and officials have had time to begin digesting the league’s proposal for a new deal, and several concerns remain regarding language contained in it and matters the players believe are unresolved, according to numerous sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Conversations with player reps and NFLPA officials revealed no sense that a vote on ratification was imminent, instead indicating that more time will be necessary to reach an agreement on the deal ratified and proposed by owners Thursday.

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