NFL lockout is over! Well...kinda?

NFL lockout is over! Well...kinda?


KudoSurf Me!Follow @twittabloggaXtra Point Football

On Thursday and by a 31-0 vote, owners ratified a 10-year collective bargaining agreement that essentially ended the NFL’s four-month lockout. Are you ready for some football!!!!!!! However, before you get too excited you and the NFL players need to read the fine print.

images
The lockout has been lifted on the condition that players also ratify the CBA by next Tuesday. Unfortunately, the players are less than thrilled with the time line and many are tweeting that this is the latest PR move by the NFL.

Twitter God Ocho Cinco tweeted, “Wonder how many people understand the awesome strategic move that some genius came up with to shift the pressure n negativity on us.” Donte Stallworth followed with, “The NFL is not Suge Knight...they not gonna hang us out a window and make us sign something.”
Basically, the NFL owners voted on a 10-year agreement that splits the 9 billion dollar revenue stream 53-47% in the owners favor. The agreement increases the NFL minimum pay 10%, reduces off-season training camps, and modifies the rookie wage scale and contract length. Additionally, the agreement allows players unrestricted free agency status after four years as opposed to six.

The problem is the CBA has a deadline of next Tuesday. “We have not drawn a line in the sand here,” said Jeff Pash, the league’s top lawyer. “We are hoping that it will proceed expeditiously.”

I’m not a lawyer but saying ”Next Tuesday or Else” seems like a line in the sand? Furthermore, rumors are swirling that the NFL jammed last minute issues into the CBA and have specifically made the ratified CBA and deadline public as to sway public opinion of the players. Essentially, making the players look like the bad guys if they don’t accept the deal.

Depending on whom you ask, the players like, hate, or haven’t seen the proposed deal from the owners. The only certainty is the players must recertify as a union to address issues such as workman’s compensation and must also ratify the CBA or the lockout goes back into effect.

Stay tuned…..