After over four months of hearing the millionaires argue with the billionaires over money, the NFL lockout has officially been lifted. We knew this had to be settled eventually given the amount of money at stake. This isn't like the NBA, where owners are prepared to miss games, if not the entire season, due to the fact that several teams are legitimately losing money. Their system is a mess and needs to be revised. The NFL, on the other hand, is the nation's most profitable sport. Owners risked forfeiting billions of dollars if the season were jeopardized, while the players, who have shorter career expectancies than other professional athletes, couldn't afford to begin missing paychecks. Thankfully, the owners and players finally voted to approve a new CBA just in time to avoid endangering the upcoming season.
Now it's back to business for the league, which has opened it's doors to the players. Beginning this week, teams will finally be able to communicate with their players, distribute playbooks and begin to frantically organize and prepare themselves for a shortened training camp. Here is a timeline for the league's return to business.
Monday: Players voted to approve the league's proposal for a new CBA, ending the lockout.
Tuesday: Teams are allowed to negotiate contracts with rookies and free agents. They can also trade with other teams.
Wednesday: Players can begin to report to training camp. Their arrival can be no earlier than 15 days before the start of their first pre-season game, so not every team will report the same day. The New York Jets and Houston Texans won't report to camp until Sunday.
Thursday: Teams can start cutting players from their roster.
Friday: Teams can file free-agent signings with the league office.
In a typical season, training camps would already be well under way, with rookies and free agent signings already getting up to speed with their new teams. The delay means that there is less time to prepare for the season, which is a disadvantage for teams with new coaches or systems. Teams that won't have much turnover amongst their coaching staff and players will benefit, such as the Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Packers.
So who came out ahead in the deal? Well, it's pretty even actually, as both sides were able to compromise on certain issues to allow each side to get things they wanted. Here is a breakdown of some of the key points of the deal:
- The owners will receive 52% of all revenue (up from 47% in the previous deal).
- Teams will operate under a $120 million salary cap, with a guaranteed spend provision that ensures they will spend at least 90% of that cap.
- An additional $20 million will be set aside for player benefits.
- Rookie salaries will be reduced. Gone are the days when a number one overall pick like Sam Bradford can be given a contract with more guaranteed money than Peyton Manning before ever playing an NFL game.
- This is key for both sides, because it frees up more money to be spent on veteran players, and also protects teams from investing too much in unproven players that may never pan out (we're looking at you, Matt Leinhert). The Patriots are an example of a team that are infamous for trading back in the first round because they prefer value picks. If the higher picks are no longer costing such a sizable chunk of their salary cap space then teams may be more enticed to keep their higher picks or try to trade up.
- Minimum salaries will be increased for veteran players.
- The off-season will be shortened by about 5 weeks. A reduction in organized activities and full-contact practices before and during the season should lessen the wear and tear on players, as well as help prevent injuries.
- Plaintiffs in the Brady vs NFL case will not receive additional cash rewards or benefits. Meaning guys like Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson will not become free agents or be given a cash settlement as part of this agreement.
- The season will stay at a 16 game schedule, instead of moving to the 18 games the owners wanted.
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