NFL Players, Owners Still Talking

Added on Jun 24, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

‘So far so good’ is the best way to describe the current state of NFL labor negotiations between players and owners. The talks are making progress and more are scheduled next week. Sources for both sides are ‘optimistic’ but caution that a final resolution is not imminent.

There are still several major issues on the table and conference calls are being set up to discuss most of those. The exception is the biggest item of contention–revenue splitting–which is being negotiated face to face. NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith had this somewhat cryptic, though positive, assessment of where things stand:

“Someone asked me whether I was optimistic. I think we’re both optimistic when we have the right people in the room. We know we’re talking about the right issues and that we’re working hard to get it done.”

The general thinking is that once the players and owners agree on how to equitably split the revenue ‘pie’ that the other issues could be resolved quickly. Among these ‘other issues’ is a rookie pay scale, benefits for retired players and health and safety issues. Reports suggest that the proposed 18 game regular season schedule is ‘off the table’ in terms of the new collective bargaining agreement but will be revisited at a later date once a settlement is agreed upon.

Training camps are set to open in around a month and already teams are preparing for the logistical demands of a potentially shortened preseason. The Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets have cancelled their out of town training camps and will prepare at their regular season facilities. The Ravens had planned to hold training camp in Winchester, MD while the Jets had theirs scheduled for Cortland, NY. Jets’ GM Mike Tannenbaum said it was simply a logistical issue:

“With all the variables presented by this unique offseason, we felt it was best for the Jets that we hold our training camp here at our practice facility.”

The first preseason game is currently scheduled for August 7–the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. This year the Chicago Bears will take on the St. Louis Rams–assuming that a new labor agreement is in place.