The NFL is guaranteed to havelabor peace for three more seasons. After that, anything is possible because the league?s owners voted unanimously on Tuesday to opt out of their collective bargaining agreement with players in 2011.
The owners? move was not unexpected, but comes earlier than anticipated as they had until Nov. 8 to decide if they wanted to terminate the agreement signed in 2006.
The 2008 and 2009 seasons will be played with a salary cap, but if there is no agreement before the 2010 season, that season will be played without a salary cap and under rules limiting players? free agency rights.
“The notice will have no material effect on the players,” NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw said in a statement. “It only means the CBA will end after the 2010 season unless an extension is negotiated. With all the talk about early termination, it will be good to get this issue behind us since all the owners have done since signing the 2006 agreement is complain.”
The original agreement was supposed to last through 2013 before the owners executed the opt-out clause ?believing the deal was too beneficial to players. The owners paid out $4.5 billion, or just less than 60 percent of their revenues, to players last season.
The owners also are upset the current labor deal requires them to sign unproven rookies to large contracts ? like the $30 million guaranteed given to Michigan offensive lineman and top overall draft pick Jake Long by the Miami Dolphins and 34.75 million guaranteed given by Atlanta to Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, who it took with the third pick.
The owners want more flexibility in recouping signing bonuses from players who breach their contracts or refuse to play.
“We?d like to get things done,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “But often it?s not until you have a deadline that people realize the consequences of not reaching a deal.”
Former Baltimore Colt defensive back Bruce Laird said the owners? move on Tuesday could open the door to adding elements to a future labor deal, which could provide additional aid to retired players. Laird has said under the current labor agreement there is no official representation for retired players.
“We have had continuous open dialogues with Roger Goodell and the owners,” he said. “This move will give us the opportunity to continue those discussions and hopefully work out an agreement that benefits everyone.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
