With two seasons remaining on the current labor deal between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, there is some urgency to get a new pact done, and a key step in that process is reportedly happening Thursday.
According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, key NFLPA leaders will meet Thursday to discuss the current state of the labor negotiations as well as a potential path forward. One major talking point will be the prospect of a 17-game regular season schedule, which is a priority for the league.
The NFLPA executive committee has not yet made a recommendation to the board over an offer worth voting on, and there are conflicting statements as to whether that’s close to happening. The two sides are said to be in agreement on key issues such as an increase in guaranteed revenue to players, increased minimum salaries, and changes to fines and drug policy. Various other issues, including pensions for players who played prior to 1993, are still being debated.
For the players, the added regular season proposal could be a dealbreaker as things stand. That proposal does not sound popular, and players have long hoped for a revenue increase without resorting to an expanded schedule. The league may have to make significant concessions in order to make their favored proposal a reality, but it’s not clear how firmly opposed the players are yet, or what they may demand in exchange.
