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***Steve*** · 05-21-2010, 11:34 PM

The National Football League and the National Football League Players Association are in negotiations that will hopefully prevent the lockout that no one wants. The 2010 season is secure as well as the 2011 draft, so there is time for the NFL CBA negotiations to lead to a deal. The realities of this situation are that there is $8.5 billion of revenue of which players receive approximately 60%, huge owner debt issues and high rookie salaries and the two sides are still far away from any collective bargaining agreement. The main issue is figuring the total salary cap and salary floor per year and the art of compromise will be essential as the risks and costs are at an all time high.

It has been reported that the league would like to reduce the revenues that cover player costs by about 18% and the union may to negotiate that down to a middle of the road compromise of 9%. One of the difficulties in reaching agreement in this area is that the union has only been given four sheets of spreadsheets when they want full access to financial books and operations. Owners have never opened their books before and they don’t want to now, insisting that their minimum documentation is comprehensive enough. Some items have been agreed upon. Both groups believe there needs to be a cap on rookie spending as well as more money directed to retired players and veterans. Above all, no one wants a lockout. Disrupting the 2011 season would result in everyone, the owners, players and fans, losing.

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