The new CBA which barely passed 1,019 – 959 will run through the year 2030. Highlights of the agreement include: 2 additional teams rolling into the playoffs, increase revenue share for players, 11 years of no civil unrest, a new 17 game schedule, 1 less preseason game, roster size increases, and a long overdue revamping of the NFL drug policies.
If you consider the current state of the world which includes the Coronavirus, economic turmoil, CTE, and the dramatic shift in how fans view the NFL – the NFL Players Association did the right thing by passing this deal today.
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”
No Civil Unrest for 11 Years
Honestly their is nothing worse then a league shutdown for a fan – just ask an NHL fan who won the Stanley Cup in 2005? The Answer is know one because the entire 2004-2005 season never happened.
Do We Really Need a 17th Regular Season Game?
Commissioner, Roger Goodell is in an unprecedented awkward negotiation spot as the Coronavirus Pandemic certainly will impact the NFL’s upcoming broadcast rights negotiations.
Locking in the players into a 11 year contract, increasing the regular season and adding more teams and games to the playoffs gives Goodell a significant amount of additional chips to place on the negotiation table.
From a fans perspective, I’m certainly happy to have an extra regular season game. The NFL has also agreed to increase roasters from 53 to 55. Simply put – more football is better than less football.
More Teams Roll Into The Playoffs
While only providing 1 bye per conference may seem like a minor rule adjustment, it does provide motivation for top teams to strive for the top seed and should make later season games even more relevant. The bottom-line is more teams in the playoffs is better for the fans, players, teams, the league, broadcasters, streamers, employees, Youtubers, and Papa Johns.
Some Drugs Are No Longer Bad
This was a huge win for the players who have been fighting for this rule change since the first Bush was in the White House. Many NFL players have stated in the past that they would prefer treating themselves with marijuana instead of painkillers. Clearly the social changes in our society and the new State laws made it easier for the NFL to finally get out of the business of marijuana testing.
Moderate Increase In Revenue Split
Huge Improvement for Retired Players
Look, we’ve all seen and heard the stories of retired players suffering from the long-term effects of playing in the NFL. It was nice to see the current generation actual go back to the future for former players.
“The new CBA includes major improvements that we at NFL Alumni sought for many months from owners and the union,” reads a statement on the NFL Alumni web site. “The document includes higher pensions—some by as much as 60 percent– for all alumni; a reduction in pension requirements from four to three vested seasons for all alumni; and a $50,000 Health Reimbursement Account for all vested players who previously had not been eligible due to their retirement date”