Details of proposed new deal

[Sect309Fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6687485

Proposed CBA Details


Details of a proposed collective bargaining agreement being pitched to NFL owners Tuesday, according to sources:

• Players get 48 percent of "all revenue," without extra $1-billion-plus off top that previously had been requested by owners.

• Players' share will never dip below 46.5 percent, under new formula being negotiated.

• Teams required to spend close to 100 percent of the salary cap.

• Rookie wage scale part of deal but still being "tweaked."

• Four years needed for unrestricted free-agent status. Certain tags will be retained, but still being discussed.

• 18-game regular season designated only as negotiable item and at no point is mandated in deal.

• New 16-game Thursday night TV package beginning in 2012.

• Owners still will get some expense credits that will allow funding for new stadiums.
• Retirees to benefit from improved health care, pension benefits as revenue projected to double to $18 million by 2016.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far, this seems like a very reasonable solution.

I do wonder about the 16-game Thursday night package that is supposed to be a source of new revenue. Will that mean that the NFL Network will no longer show games on Thursdays (so that another network buys the package)? Or does it mean the NFL expects to get higher fees from cable/satellite companies by showing more games?

[Jones31]

I think those games would be staying on NFLN from what I understand. Unless there is some provision in the TV contract to add another network I don't think it can be changed.

[ZachLV27]

Reports have the last 8 games staying on NFLN and the first 8 games would be up for bid.

[don28]

More Thursday night games dilute the product. Thursday should be Season Opener and Thanksgiving. I can live with the last 8 weeks of Thursday night games, but a Thursday night game every week seems like overkill.

[kytitansfan1]

I don't mind the Thursday night game...as long as the Titans aren't playing on a short week. I know it would have to happen at some point. Mid-season it could be a benefit to teams needing a few extra days to get healthy following a bye week.

A Thursday game would be a national telecast so it would be more valuable to the networks, as opposed to Sunday regional broadcasts, depending on the games scheduled on Thursday. It would probably make more sense to give the NFLN the first 8 games and let the other networks bid on the last half when division races are heating up.

With all of that additional revenue you know the owners would cut season ticket holders some slack on pre-season games. :doh

[Sect309Fan]

With all of that additional revenue you know the owners would cut season ticket holders some slack on pre-season games. :doh

The thing is, full price preseason games very likely keeps the regular season prices down. I definitely could see the owners pretend to be nice and make the preseason games half price and then increase regular season game by 1/16 each so that season tickets are the same price.

[Old Oilers Fan]

More Thursday night games dilute the product. Thursday should be Season Opener and Thanksgiving. I can live with the last 8 weeks of Thursday night games, but a Thursday night game every week seems like overkill.


I agree Monday night Football is enough.

[zonian]

The thing is, full price preseason games very likely keeps the regular season prices down. I definitely could see the owners pretend to be nice and make the preseason games half price and then increase regular season game by 1/16 each so that season tickets are the same price.

I, for one, have always been OK with that scenario; even though the overall cost would remain the same, we would finally be getting what we are paying for in the pre-season: glorified scrimmages comprised mostly of less than the best players.

[Yvette]

Free chicken wings, if lockout ends by July 20 (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/22/free-chicken-wings-if-lockout-ends-by-july-20/related)

:D

[Titanico]

I heard on radio that the all-revenue deal would have the chance to go 50-50. And that this can be done by July 15. If that's the case, we get a complete season.

[Jones31]

48% for the players is the number I keep hearing and I think this will be resolved in a few weeks. I think we get a full 16 game season. Maybe not a full preseason. I won't complain.

[don28]

Anyone else getting the feeling that the small market owners (Bengals, Bills, Chiefs, Rams, Jaguars, Bucs, Titans) are going to be as unhappy about this CBA as they were the previous one? Because I sure get that feeling.

[Jones31]

Most of those teams weren't paying into revenue sharing, hurting? Not buying it.

[ZachLV27]

Most of those teams weren't paying into revenue sharing, hurting? Not buying it.

All of those teams will be required to spend a lot more actual money (not fake money disguised as performance bonuses the players will never get and other such ways they currently get over the 90% salary bottom). None of those owners are going to be happy with the way the new deal is turning out and if they do like it then their fans wont because the owners aren't going to cut into their own profit margins.

[Yvette]

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith ended a 15-hour bargaining session early Friday, barely breaking for a quick nap before resuming in the morning.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43593105/ns/sports/

blah blah blah

[Johnnyb]

They keep talkin about how hard they're workin, and how they're workin soooo hard on this and blah blah blah... well quit talking about the work and show me the result!!!

[Titanico]

They were yesterday (Thursday, June 29) having a meeting that lasted for 16 hrs.

Do these guys have a life? lol

Get this deal done...and lets have a season + millions of NFL fans in peace, please.

[ZachLV27]

In one of their recent proposals to the NFL the NFLPA is asking for a percentage of non-football stadium revenue.

The players are asking for money brought in by stuff like concerts.

I know it's most likely just a bargaining tool but I hate the NFLPA more and more each passing day.

[Johnnyb]

In one of their recent proposals to the NFL the NFLPA is asking for a percentage of non-football stadium revenue.

The players are asking for money brought in by stuff like concerts.

I know it's most likely just a bargaining tool but I hate the NFLPA more and more each passing day.

Everytime I read about there being an issue or sticking point in these negotiations, you know the one thing I keep noticing? It's that the lawyers are always the ones requesting something and then everything about blows up... I really truly wonder if these guys aren't trying to sabotage this thing to increase their paychecks...

(and just so everyone knows, I really do not have an agenda against lawyers, my father, 2 of my uncles, and a large majority of the rest of my family are all lawyers... I just also know what some of the big named ones are only in it for themselves and care nothing for their clients, which is a very sad truth)

[TitansJonne]

Yea it seems now the players are asking for just too much. The greed is gonna bite them in the ass, Just freaking swallow your pride.

[Yvette]

Talks continue today, with skeleton crew (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/05/talks-continue-today-with-skeleton-crew/related/)

zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz

[Sect309Fan]

In one of their recent proposals to the NFL the NFLPA is asking for a percentage of non-football stadium revenue.

The players are asking for money brought in by stuff like concerts.

Here is the original article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-silver_nfl_labor_talks_turn_bizarre_063011

Owners, meanwhile, claim that certain expense credits were part of the “all revenue” understanding achieved earlier this month and charge that the players are the ones attempting to change the terms. They are also frustrated by players’ insistence that “all revenue” should include a share of money generated by non-football events (such as rock concerts) at team-owned stadiums.

----------------------------------------------

The definition of "revenue" is huge in these negotiations. Sales taxes, non-football events, etc are all revenue items that have to be decided on. Personally, I am upset that NFL owners make any money on non-football events in public stadiums. While Vandy apparently did a great job hosting the U2 concert, if Bud Adams didn't have such control over LP Field, it would have been there instead.

It's all part of bargaining.

[zonian]

Awwww, screw them all.

Either give me my damn football, or give me back my money and I'll watch Cricket!

Right now, Cricket is better than this crap!