Ramblin' Fan » deal

Talks Starting Back Up Wednesday

Justin Stine — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:32:15 +0000

I keep hearing about how the two sides are expecting a deal to get done in the next 7-10 days, but considering it took until Wednesday this week before Roger Goodell and De Smith were in the same room, you can color me skeptical. The rookie wage scale continues to be the main sticking point of talks according to insiders, but it sounds to me like the players are not going to be willing to budge on that issue or especially on the right of first refusal. As much hope as we have had over the last week or so, I’m starting to fall back into eternal pessimism when it comes to this lockout. Every time we hear the thing is about done, it blows up and a new set of problems is in the news. I have decided that I’m now shifting into “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode when it comes to the lockout being “close” to over.

For what it’s worth, it sounds like the Hall of Fame game is in some serious jeopardy, and it’s to the point where many people I have talked to said the two sides are looking at the July 22 date as the target as opposed to July 15, which is what it would likely take for the HOF game to still take place. If the deal is in place by July 22, the season will happen in full minus the HOF game, and it looks like that’s where we are heading. Of course, every time we think something is a sure thing, the opposite happens, so I guess you shouldn’t give up on the Rams and Bears just yet.

Details Of Prospective CBA Leaked

Justin Stine — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:06:53 +0000

There isn’t a deal done yet, but it sounds like the two sides are once again getting closer. A report leaked today by a source illustrates some of the details of a proposed deal that was presented to the owners by Commissioner Roger Goodell at meetings in Chicago. According to the report, the players would get 48% of “all revenue”. In the previous agreement, the players got 53-60% (depending on who you ask) of revenue minus $1 billion taken off the top that went to the owners. So, while the players are losing here compared to the previous agreement, it actually won’t be much because of the billion back in the total. It sounds like a pretty good deal for both sides considering what was previously being discussed at the beginning of this thing.

Also, teams will be required to spend nearly all the way up to the salary cap under this proposed agreement. That means that small-market teams won’t be able to cheap out on payroll to save money. In the previous agreement, the total payroll floor was less than 90% of the cap, so this should force teams to spend their money, making the competitive balance even better in a league that is already in pretty good shape in that aspect. Several other issues, such as TV deals and the rookie wage scale are also featured in the deal, but those have yet to be ironed out.

So, overall this looks like a major step forward in discussions. Now that these details are out there, it will be tough for either side to hold off on these point due to public opinion. Neither side wants to be the “bad guy” in these negotiations, so I can’t imagine either holding up a deal. I have heard numerous insiders who believe that we could have agreement in principle in the next 7-10 days, and if that happens, it’s only a matter of time before a final deal is agreed upon. This isn’t to say that this thing is completely finished by any means, and we have seen this turn bad several times already. I will say that I think this is as close as we have been, and I’m confident that the 2011 NFL season will take place on time.

Progress Continues To Be Made

Justin Stine — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 05:51:49 +0000

I was cautiously optimistic in my post about the “secret” meetings the other day, and I’m feeling even better today after the latest chatter on Twitter involving CBS’ Sports analyst Mike Freeman and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Freeman posted on Twitter today that multiple sources keep telling him than an agreement between the owners and the players sould be struck before the 8th Circut Court of Appeals rules on the case in July. Peter King then retweeted Freeman’s post and added “You’re on to something, Mike.” King went on to post “I’m not saying it’ll happen. Let’s make that clear. But I’m more optimistic about a settlement than I’ve been in a while.”

When I see people who are in the know like Freeman and King sounding so optimistic, it really makes me think that things are starting to turn around. The meetings last week were reportedly positive, and if a deal is reached by July we should have no problems getting the season going without issue. I know I have been skeptical, so the fact that I’m starting to come around should be at least some indication that things are getting better. Again, I caution everyone to not to get too overly excited here, but you should certainly feel better about negotiations. Things are better