NFL Owners Approve Deal, Players Reviewing
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 22, 2011 3:40PM
Yesterday it looked as if and end to the NFL lockout was imminent, with players able to use team facilities this weekend and training camps opening next week. While the NFL team owners ratified a new 10-year agreement, the players concluded last night's conference call without a vote.
Among the major components to the new deal: players receive 48 percent of revenue; teams have a $120 million salary cap with team minimum spending of 89 percent; veterans earn free agency after their fourth season; four-year rookie contracts; lower rookie salaries with a cap on team spending for rookies; reductions in training camp length and number of practices as well as reductions in off-season team activities.
The players withheld a vote because they wanted clarification on some issues in the owners ratified deal to which they had not agreed, such as a supplemental revenue sharing proposal, and wanted more detailed information. NFLPA reps expect a resolution to the sticking points and a vote on Friday. Among the issues left unresolved are whether there is an opt-out clause after seven years and how the players will re-certify their union. Owners want electronic signatures used to speed up the process, while the players labor reps want the same process followed that was used to de-certify.
While it appears that NFL players will be back to work in time for camps to open and a full slate of preseason football to be played in preparation for the 2011 season, NFL commissioner Roger Gooddell did announce that the Hall of Fame Game was cancelled. The Bears and St. Louis Rams were to play the first exhibition game of the season in Canton, OH the weekend the Hall's class of 2011 were officially inducted. But few will be disappointed that the Bears only play four preseason games. It'll just be nice to see them back at work preparing for the upcoming season, and players could report to training camp in Bourbonnais as soon as Wednesday. Prior to that, expect a free agent frenzy as an off-season worth of player movement is crammed into a few days. We'll keep you up to date on the Bears biggest roster moves.