NFL voids CBA : 05/20/08

[Lurker64]

Also potentially interesting is that in addition to the hamstringing of the top 8 teams in FA, the potential "uncapped year" includes provisions to allow a team to use a franchise tag as well as two separate transition tags (as opposed to now when teams may use one franchise or transition tag).

So in essence, even if there is an uncapped year coming up, very few players will actually be hitting the market during it.

[Patler]

Also potentially interesting is that in addition to the hamstringing of the top 8 teams in FA, the potential "uncapped year" includes provisions to allow a team to use a franchise tag as well as two separate transition tags (as opposed to now when teams may use one franchise or transition tag).

So in essence, even if there is an uncapped year coming up, very few players will actually be hitting the market during it.

Yup. Virtually none of any interest in the first year.

[The Leaper]

Again, the fact that 2010 won't be a huge debacle just proves my point that there is no real pressure coming to bear on either side to avoid it.

I just don't see anything getting done before the deadline in 2009 to prevent 2010 from being an uncapped year. I'm not saying that is going to ruin anything. I expect things will get worked out by 2011 and we'll be back to a cap and probably have 18 regular season games instead of 16.

BTW, I don't get the 17 game season thing. How the hell does an odd amount of games work? Some teams get 9 home games and others only get 8? The NFL worked hard to get a balanced schedule in place that is extremely fair IMO...and they will throw it all away for 1 dumb game?

Goodell is a moron. Either go straight to 18 or don't bother.

[cpk1994]

Again, the fact that 2010 won't be a huge debacle just proves my point that there is no real pressure coming to bear on either side to avoid it.

I just don't see anything getting done before the deadline in 2009 to prevent 2010 from being an uncapped year. I'm not saying that is going to ruin anything. I expect things will get worked out by 2011 and we'll be back to a cap and probably have 18 regular season games instead of 16.

BTW, I don't get the 17 game season thing. How the hell does an odd amount of games work? Some teams get 9 home games and others only get 8? The NFL worked hard to get a balanced schedule in place that is extremely fair IMO...and they will throw it all away for 1 dumb game?

Goodell is a moron. Either go straight to 18 or don't bother.

According to ESPN.com, the extra game would rotate on a yearly basis between conferences. One year the NFC teams get the extra home game, the next the AFC gets it.

[The Leaper]

According to ESPN.com, the extra game would rotate on a yearly basis between conferences. One year the NFC teams get the extra home game, the next the AFC gets it.

Still seems dumb, regardless of how they do it...especially when they probably are still going to be playing games in China, Bangladesh and wherever else they can think of trying to spread the wealth.

[Patler]

Again, the fact that 2010 won't be a huge debacle just proves my point that there is no real pressure coming to bear on either side to avoid it.

I just don't see anything getting done before the deadline in 2009 to prevent 2010 from being an uncapped year. I'm not saying that is going to ruin anything. I expect things will get worked out by 2011 and we'll be back to a cap and probably have 18 regular season games instead of 16.

I guess you and I just see the same facts as having a different effect.

I think there is a lot of pressure on the Union to get it resolved before 2010 because of the very large group of players who will not become free agents. They will also be concerned that once the league goes to 6 years before free agency occurs it will never drop back to 4.

I think there is a lot of pressure on the owners to get it resolved before 2010 because the salary cap will go away. They will be concerned that once the league goes to an uncapped situation, they will not be able to get the players to again agree to a salary cap.

It seems you think those will not put sufficient pressure on the parties to get it done before 2010, and the only pressure point will be the expiration of the CBA and the threat of a possible lockout or strike. Could be. Sides in negotiations can become very hardheaded.

[vince]

Here are some Q's and A's put out by the owners, and some conclusions by Mike Florio.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/05/31/cba-qa/

CBA Q&A
Posted by Mike Florio on May 31, 2008, 8:47 a.m.

A key component of the coming labor crisis between the NFL and its players union is the battle for the hearts and minds of the general public. With football fans possibly poised to throttle the golden goose due to the perception that this entire dispute arises from rich guys on both sides of the issue arguing over who’s getting richer the fastest, any gesture of sensitivity to the fog of confusion regarding the matters at issue can’t hurt the side that helps us all understand what’s going on.

And so on Friday the league wisely issued a Q&A document regarding the CBA. Here are some of the highlights (some of which we’ve mentioned here in various different postings):

1. The current CBA is in effect through the 2011 draft.

2. There will be no salary cap in 2010, but there will be additional restrictions on free agency, including the requirement that players have six years of service to become unrestricted free agents, not four, and limitations on the ability of the “final eight” teams from 2009 to sign new players at will.

3. In the uncapped year, player benefits likely will decline. The union agreed that in the uncapped year, clubs would be relieved of their obligation to fund numerous benefit programs, such as the 401K, player annuity, severance pay, and tuition assistance. The total league-wide contributions to such plans in 2009, the last capped year, are expected to be in excess of $225 million, or more than $7 million per club.

4. There might be a rookie pool in the uncapped year; the CBA gives the league the right to use one, if it so chooses.

5. In the uncapped year, there is no salary cap and no salary floor, meaning that teams can spend as much — and as little — as they want on players.

6. After the last game of the 2008 regular season, maximum signing bonus proration reduces from six years to five. (Last time around, the maximum proration entering the final capped season was four.)

7. In 2009, there is no June 1 rule. If a player is removed from the roster or his contract is assigned via waivers or trade at any time in the 2009 League Year, all remaining future signing bonus money will hit the 2009 salary cap.

8. In 2009, not-likely-to-be-earned incentives will hit the salary cap when earned, and won’t be pushed into 2010, the uncapped year.

9. In 2009, likely-to-be-earned incentives will be deducted from the team’s salary cap when they are no longer possible to earn. (This will be the subject of a separate item here regarding the 30-percent rule.)

10. Guaranteed salary from 2010 and beyond will be reallocated to capped years unless the entire 2009 salary is guaranteed.

11. Half of all guaranteed salary beyond 2012 will be reallocated to capped years. (We’ll be writing more about this one, too.)

12. The 30-percent rule restricts salary increases from 2009 to 2010. If a player has a $1 million salary in 2009, his maximum increase for 2010 will be $300,000.

13. A team can include only three veteran team incentives in a player contract covering 2009 and beyond. These incentives must also be coupled with a playtime requirement. Previously, clubs were limited to eight team incentives and no playtime requirement.

Bottom line? The uncapped year won’t be the wild-west spending spree that players might anticipate it to be. For players whose contracts expire after 2009, the cash for most of them won’t be flowing freely. And given the 30 percent rule, a player under contract who thinks that he can threaten to hold out for more money in the uncapped year because the team can’t hide behind the salary cap as a reason to give it to him will nevertheless be limited to a 30-percent raise over whatever he made in 2009.

[bobblehead]

I just had a thought...I know, unusual. What would happen if anarchy broke loose and TT decided that he was gonna make a point.

What if he decided that instead of trying to field a good team he would waive the roster, sign 54 guys who no one in the league wants to 10 year deals paying 100,000 a year.

Develope the hell out of them and try to win 3 games a year, in the meantime the packers bank a ton of money from TV contracts ect.

I think it would prove a point to jerry jones and snyder that they actually need the other teams to make money. It would also prove to the players that in reality they are overpaid playboys who aren't needed.

Think about it 5.4 million team salary with full share of TV revenues until the league decides to get a deal done....that would do wonders for the teams emergency funds.

I'm assuming if no contract then no cap, or minimum salary...I'm projecting a bit, but a humerous proposition nonethe less.

Remember, the owners broke the union once, only after being sued did we come up with this situation.

[RashanGary]

Except that the NFL has a minimum salary clause, I think the idea would be great.

[bobblehead]

I'm assuming with no collective bargaining agreement and no salary cap the minimum will be gone too, no??

[vince]

5. In the uncapped year, there is no salary cap and no salary floor, meaning that teams can spend as much — and as little — as they want on players.