NFL Owners Opt Out Of Collective Bargaining Agreement Gene Upshaw Hints At Strike

Mike · 02-02-2008, 09:47 AM

It looks like NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may get to experience a very tough situation come November, when owners are expected to terminate the Collective Bargaining Agreement, followed quite possibly with a strike by the Players Union.

Owners are not happy with the fact they give 60% of NFL revenue to the players, and Gene Upshaw says they will not budge from this, and that the owners will have to live with 40%. The owners accepted the agreement as they had no choice and wanted to avoid a strike, but since accepting it, they have grown increasingly unhappy with it. The two owners who have been the most vocally against the agreement, and appear to be pushing for it to me changed are Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Broncos owner Patrick Bowlen

The termination of this agreement puts an end to the current NFL salary cap in 2009, creating a cap free environment in 2010.

If and when this happens, there will be plenty more issues that will be fought out including drug testing, in which Upshaw refused to allow the NFL to test for HGH via blood testing, and until there is a urine test, he says he won't discuss the issue.

Personally, I don't know which side of this I support. I do know that one thing Upshaw will have on his side in terms of keeping the 60% will be the the push by former players to get more money to retired players, as this issue has become a hot topic for almost a year now, being heavily pushed by former players such as Mike Ditka.

Phicinfan · 05-20-2008, 12:31 PM

Link in news thread:http://www.sofantasyfootball.com/nfl...48/index5.html

So...does this mean an un capped year next year? Lock out of players next year? Things just got interesting....

Quote:

“The 2008 and 2009 seasons will be played with a salary cap,” the league said in its statement. “If there is no new agreement before the 2010 season, that season will be played without a salary cap under rules that also limit the free agency rights of the players. If not extended, the agreement would expire at the end of the 2010 league year.”

Da Bomb · 05-20-2008, 12:38 PM

oh great. just what we needed, another league where all the new york and california teams own 90% of the good players.

Mike · 05-20-2008, 03:26 PM

I just hope the NFL doesn't royally screw then up by letting this end up in a strike. Strikes have a tendency to really screw up sports leagues, just ask baseball and hockey.

I think it is very important that the drug testing issue is resolved. If the only way to test for HGH is via a blood test, then so be it. If a drug isn't going to be allowed, the league should be able to use whatever means necessary to test for it. end of discussion as far as I am concerned.

As for the money, the more I look at it, the more I tend to lean toward the players here. 40% seems like plenty for an owner, considering how many people the remaining 60% is getting divided up to, and the need for a better retirement system.

Salary cap? I have never liked it. I can see where some fans are for it because they have team owners who will literally stop spending money if they can, while other teams have owners who are passionate about winning and will gladly go over the current cap to put a winner on the field. Maybe a soft type cap like the NBA where you can keep the players you drafted is the best long term situation to go with?

Whatever happens, I just don't want to see a strike. Scab football sucks

Sgt John · 05-20-2008, 03:37 PM

Im not shocked this happened. I also see the uncapped, uncontrolled year coming, because of guys like Chad Johnson, who can be jettisoned without real damage during that uncapped year if I am understanding the dynamics correctly.

Coachnorm · 05-21-2008, 07:53 AM

I also hear that the owners may want to change one preseason into a 17th regular season game. This to generate more income in case the players don't budge on the percentages.

Birdman · 05-21-2008, 09:59 AM

I find it interesting that teams are actually planning for an uncapped year. Some teams are doing it to such an extent (like the Eagles, signing Samuel and going after Moss) that they almost have a vested interest in preventing an agreement from being reached.

This could get ugly. I really hope that the league can at the very least avoid a strike.


02-02-2008, 09:47 AM	#1
Mike who me? Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: L.A. (Lower Arkansas) Posts: 29,688 vCash: 3444890 Donate Blog Entries: 18	NFL Owners Opt Out Of Collective Bargaining Agreement Gene Upshaw Hints At Strike It looks like NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may get to experience a very tough situation come November, when owners are expected to terminate the Collective Bargaining Agreement, followed quite possibly with a strike by the Players Union. Owners are not happy with the fact they give 60% of NFL revenue to the players, and Gene Upshaw says they will not budge from this, and that the owners will have to live with 40%. The owners accepted the agreement as they had no choice and wanted to avoid a strike, but since accepting it, they have grown increasingly unhappy with it. The two owners who have been the most vocally against the agreement, and appear to be pushing for it to me changed are Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Broncos owner Patrick Bowlen The termination of this agreement puts an end to the current NFL salary cap in 2009, creating a cap free environment in 2010. If and when this happens, there will be plenty more issues that will be fought out including drug testing, in which Upshaw refused to allow the NFL to test for HGH via blood testing, and until there is a urine test, he says he won't discuss the issue. Personally, I don't know which side of this I support. I do know that one thing Upshaw will have on his side in terms of keeping the 60% will be the the push by former players to get more money to retired players, as this issue has become a hot topic for almost a year now, being heavily pushed by former players such as Mike Ditka.


05-20-2008, 12:38 PM	#3
Da Bomb Richest Vman Alive Forum Leader Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,775 vCash: 139341349 Donate Blog Entries: 18	oh great. just what we needed, another league where all the new york and california teams own 90% of the good players. __________________ Hired Guns: Wheaton Thunder SO CFFL: Royale with Cheese CFA: Wheaton Thunder


05-20-2008, 03:37 PM	#5
Sgt John Genibus Nitito Canus Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 6,316 vCash: 451 Donate Blog Entries: 2	Im not shocked this happened. I also see the uncapped, uncontrolled year coming, because of guys like Chad Johnson, who can be jettisoned without real damage during that uncapped year if I am understanding the dynamics correctly. __________________ 2008 Black Knights Football Ligaments: Wrecking your fantasy team since 2008

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05-20-2008, 03:26 PM	#4
Mike who me? Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: L.A. (Lower Arkansas) Posts: 29,688 vCash: 3444890 Donate Blog Entries: 18	I just hope the NFL doesn't royally screw then up by letting this end up in a strike. Strikes have a tendency to really screw up sports leagues, just ask baseball and hockey. I think it is very important that the drug testing issue is resolved. If the only way to test for HGH is via a blood test, then so be it. If a drug isn't going to be allowed, the league should be able to use whatever means necessary to test for it. end of discussion as far as I am concerned. As for the money, the more I look at it, the more I tend to lean toward the players here. 40% seems like plenty for an owner, considering how many people the remaining 60% is getting divided up to, and the need for a better retirement system. Salary cap? I have never liked it. I can see where some fans are for it because they have team owners who will literally stop spending money if they can, while other teams have owners who are passionate about winning and will gladly go over the current cap to put a winner on the field. Maybe a soft type cap like the NBA where you can keep the players you drafted is the best long term situation to go with? Whatever happens, I just don't want to see a strike. Scab football sucks


05-21-2008, 07:53 AM	#6
Coachnorm Bloggin' Outlaw Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 11,977 vCash: 151569 Donate Blog Entries: 14	I also hear that the owners may want to change one preseason into a 17th regular season game. This to generate more income in case the players don't budge on the percentages.


05-21-2008, 09:59 AM	#7
Birdman Outlaw Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,029 vCash: 56442 Donate	I find it interesting that teams are actually planning for an uncapped year. Some teams are doing it to such an extent (like the Eagles, signing Samuel and going after Moss) that they almost have a vested interest in preventing an agreement from being reached. This could get ugly. I really hope that the league can at the very least avoid a strike.