NFL players approve labor deal, including 17-game season

NFL players have approved a new labor agreement with league that features a 17-game regular season, higher salaries, increased roster sizes and larger pensions for current and former players. deal, which runs through 2030 season, was accepted by 32 team owners last month. NFL Players Association’s membership spent last week voting on 439-p document after its executive board narrowly rejected it by a 6-5 vote, and player representatives voted 17-14 in favor, with one abstention. Clearly, re was some strong player opposition to this collective bargaining agreement, though. Many stars, including Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt and Todd Gurley, spoke out against it. total vote among nearly 2,500 union members who participated was 1019-959.

Ratification required a simple majority. 2020 NFL business season begins March 18 with free ncy and trades. A 17-game schedule won’t happen before 2021 season. mechanics for an uneven number of games — neutral sites or which teams get nine home games — will be worked out in interim. Extending season was a nissue with players in 2011, when current 10-year deal was finalized after a 4 1/2 month lockout. But gains y make in new agreement in sharing “a bigger portion of growing pie,” according to outgoing NFLPA President Eric Winston, swayed vote this time.

Among those gains:

— An increase from 47% of league revenues given to players, with that percent dependent on length of season.

— A reduction of preseason, initially from four games to three. More time off during training camps.

— Upgraded pensions, with addition of groups of previous players t included in past agreements.

— Two more roster spots per team, from 53 to 55; that’s 64 more jobs.

— Larger practice squads with fewer limitations on movement of those players.

— Narrowing testing period for players for marijuana use, plus lowered discipline for using it; and a reduction in on-field fines.

Adding two playoff teams was t part of bargaining process; owners can do so without union approval. That is expected to occur this season, with only top team in each conference getting a wild-card bye.With labor peace for rest of decade, NFL w will turn to negotiating new deals with its broadcast partners. Results of that, including digital media, should, as Winston mentioned, substantially grow financial pie.