The NFL and the players’ union meet today for the final day of seven straight days of talks over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). They are meeting with a federal mediator in Washington, D.C. The NFL CBA expires next Thursday and there is no sign of a deal that would prevent a lockout for the 2011 season.
Two weeks ago, the two sides canceled talks because of a disagreement over the union’s proposal of a 49-51% “total revenue” take. The current CBA has the owners’ share estimated at 60%. Other than the $9 billion in annual revenues, the other points of contention include the rookie wage scale, benefits for retired players, and the owners’ push to extend the regular season from 16 to 18 games while shortening the postseason by two games. Over the last six days, the two sides have met with more than 40 hours of mediations. Mediator George Cohen requested that they not speak publicly on updates but said that progress has been made. NFL outside counsel Bob Batterman and NFL lead negotiator Jeff Pash had no qualms with this since it’s an easy excuse to cover up that a decision hasn’t been reached and time is running out.
Four current NFL players were in the talks on Wednesday. They included Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts, Brian Dawkins of the Denver Broncos, and Mike Vrabel and Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs. They make up four of the 11 players on the NFL Players Association executive committee.
Also, the union is suing the league over unfair dealings in negotiating television rights. A court hearing is schedule in Minneapolis. The union thinks owners are making deals so they have income in 2011 in case the season doesn’t play out, and taking less money in later years under the future CBA when the league would be presumed to split income with players.