With news that the NFL is close to a new labor agreement, the impetus now lies with the NFLPA (NFL Players Association), the union arm that represents all current and former NFL players.
After weeks of tough negotiation, an agreement in principle has been reached. NFLPA members are set to vote on the new agreement today, but in the realm of public opinion this “vote” can only go one way.
NFLPA Chief DeMaurice Smith
Perhaps realizing that putting brash billionaires in front of the camera pleading their plight won’t win over any fans, the NFL owners have been relatively silent in the past weeks. Jerry Jones is nowhere to be found (something that benefits everyone really). While owners entered negotiations with the upper-hand, after losing the appeal for network TV revenue regardless of a 2011-12 season their coffers were not quite so stuffed. Sure they had a lot of money, but then again so did MC Hammer.
The court decision did indeed force the owners hand – losing out on any football would cost them dearly. Even if Week 1 of the pre-season were to not take place, owners would lose out on an estimated $200 million dollars. For the pre-season.
With efforts thus increased to reach a deal, a settlement-in-principal quickly developed. Concessions on training programs and the rookie scale were reached, where previously there seemed to be an immovable chasm of disagreement.
Now that the NFL owners are out of the public eye and an initial settlement has been reached, the deadline of August 7th (the set date for Week 1 of the pre-season) looms. The decision to play football in 2011-12 rests 100% with the NFLPA. Should they fail to ratify the agreement, even with both sides coming out as losers, public opinion will see:
1. The owners were arrogrant
2. The owners realized they needed to play football to make money
3. The owners sacrificed some of their demands to let the season start as planned.
Thus, blame will lie with the former and current players and their union. Through simple self-interest the owners have laid bare their soul and become, if not the victim, then at least the grown-up in negotiations.
The NFLPA’s biggest bargaining chip has always been public support. Should they fail to ratify the proposed settlement they could find themselves reviled and in a position that may jeopardize their very existence.
