NFL owners approved a tentative agreement to end the lockout that has America's most popular spectator sport in limbo, but players weren't quick to play ball. League owners, who have been meeting at an Atlanta-area hotel this week, on Thursday voted 31-0 to accept a proposed 10-year collective bargaining agreement, with the Oakland Raiders abstaining. "NFL clubs approved today the terms of a comprehensive settlement of litigation and a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association," the league said in a statement. Players, however, still have to agree to the deal, and after a conference call among player representatives from each team on Thursday they opted to hold off on putting it to a vote. "Hopefully, we can all work quickly, expeditiously, to get this agreement done," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in announcing the owners' backing of a plan to end the first work stoppage in the league since 1987. "It is time to get back to football. That's what everybody here wants to do." Goodell spoke with NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith several times during the day, and informed him of the owners' vote before it was announced. In an email to the 32 player representatives, however, Smith said there were still issues to be addressed that there is "no agreement" yet between the parties. In order for the deal to be finalized and become a binding contract between the league and players, the players association must also re-certify as a trade union with the right to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. The association de-certified in March after contract talks broke down, paving the way for players to pursue legal action against the league. Although the sides appeared to be on the brink of an agreement, Goodell also announced the cancellation of the first scheduled pre-season game, the Hall of Fame game between St. Louis and Chicago on August 7. The two teams had been originally scheduled to open their training camps this weekend. Goodell said the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will go on as scheduled but that "the time is just too short" to have the teams prepare and play the game. The regular season is scheduled to start on September 8, and cancellation of a pre-season game was a reminder of what could be lost if the dispute drags on long enough to upset the regular-season schedule. Negotiations on a new contract bogged down in March as billionaire owners and multi-millionaire players were unable to decide how to divide $9.3 billion in annual revenues -- with players balking at the league's demand to take more off the top. In addition to the revenue-sharing issue, talks have dealt with a rookie salary system, free agency and retired player benefits. The owners also wanted to expand the season from 16 to 18 games, something that is on hold under the proposed deal until at least 2013. As progress was made toward a deal, discussions also began on how to settle three pending court cases, including a players' antitrust suit against the league. The league wants those cases resolved for the proposed deal to be finalized.
GMT 18:30 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
FIFA trial: New York jury acquits former Peru soccer bossGMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
Early drama as Sydney to Hobart fleet race to break recordGMT 20:25 2017 Monday ,25 December
Klopp urges Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitionsGMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,25 December
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic lifetime banGMT 10:11 2017 Monday ,25 December
Federer, Nadal shine as rivals hobble into 2018GMT 19:22 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Southampton's Austin charged with violent conductGMT 18:02 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 17:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Serena Williams to make competitive return in Abu Dhabi next weekMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor