NFL players approve new CBA through 2030 season
NFL players voted to approve the ratification of the proposed collective bargaining agreement, the NFL Players Association announced Sunday.
Players voted 1,019 to 959 in favor of the 10-year deal though 2030, which includes a 17th regular-season game, expanded playoff field, and increased share of league revenue for players.
The new CBA rules will change the final year of the previous deal and go into effect immediately.
The two-team playoff expansion will be implemented for the 2020 campaign, while the 17-game regular season could start as early as 2021.
Additionally, teams will only be able to use one franchise or transition tag this offseason. If a new CBA wasn't put into place, both tags would have been available to use simultaneously.
Owners signed off on the proposed deal Feb. 20, and the deadline for the players to vote was Saturday.
"We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on players safety, and give our fans more and better football," said commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement.
"We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement."
New NFLPA president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter also released a statement, calling for unity among players after a close vote and divisive negotiations.
- JC Tretter (@JCTretter) March 15, 2020
Some star players such as Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt, and Russell Wilson voted no on the deal and publicly argued that the NFLPA failed to win satisfactory compensation for the addition of extra games.
The new CBA does include a number of positive changes for players, per ESPN's Dan Graziano.
Minimum salaries will increase by 20% immediately and will reach over $1 million for players with less than one year of experience by 2030. Game-day rosters will be increased from 46 players to 48, and there will no longer be suspensions for positive marijuana tests.
The players' revenue split with the league will remain at 47% for 2020. Starting in 2021, players will receive 48% and their share could jump to as high as 48.8% depending on new TV deals, which the NFL is set to negotiate.
Some players had pushed for a 50-50 revenue split in return for the 17th game and postseason expansion.
The new league year and free agency are slated to begin Wednesday (with the legal tampering period scheduled for Monday), but team officials are reportedly skeptical the NFL will proceed as planned amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With the CBA ratified, talks for potentially delaying the start of the new league can move forward, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
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