NFL players narrowly pass collective bargaining agreement, will add a game by 2021
NFL players narrowly approved a new collective bargaining agreement that will run through 2030.
The tally to ratify the agreement was close: 1,019 to 959, or 51.5% of the vote. According to reports, about 500 players failed to vote.
The CBA was approved by NFL owners in February.
Among the changes in the agreement are the addition of two more playoff teams beginning this season and the potential to move to a 17-game regular-season in 2021. It also increases minimum salaries, performance-based pay and player revenue.
“This result comes after a long and democratic process in accordance with our constitution. An independent auditor received submitted ballots through a secure electronic platform, then verified, tallied and certified the results,” the NFLPA said in a release.
“We understand and know that players have been split on this deal, including members of our [executive council]. Going forward, it is our duty to lead, however we may feel as individuals, to bring our men together and to continue to represent the interests of our entire membership.”
Highlights of the agreement, from NFL.com:
- Player revenue will increase from 47% to at least 48% in 2021 with the ability to increase the percentage to a 48.5 share through a media kicker that applies in any season the league plays 17 games.
- Players earning league minimum will get an increase in salary and there will be an increase in performance-based pay, beginning with an average 12 percent increase. The league estimates that as much as an additional $100 million will go to players immediately this season.
- Two additional active roster spots and a decrease in padded practices at training camp from 28 to 16.. Padded practices will be cut by a half hour down from three hours.
- Retired players will also benefit from the new deal, as they will see an increase in benefits and boost to pensions.
- Drug policy changes include a reduction in penalties for players who test positive for THC (eliminating suspensions solely based on positive tests), an abbreviated testing window (from four months to two weeks at the start of training camp) and a significant increase in the threshold for a positive test (nanogram limit rises from 35 to 150).
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 12:22 PM.
