The NFL and NFLPA have yet to come to an agreement that will extend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires on March 3rd. Throughout the process, it’s been hard to say I’m on one side or the other and I think that’s because there are so many different (and major) issues involved. On the one hand, I do think the league needs some concessions for putting up the money on stadiums and other expenses. On the other hand, how can they justify taking money from the players without fully explaining why? There are plenty of issues like that on both sides that make it hard for me to definitively pick a side.
NFLPA On Franchise Tag, Boycotting NFL Combine And Revenue Questions
But it’s important that fans understand what’s involved and I think the NFLPA has done a good job of making themselves available to fans to answer those questions. Sure, both sides have an agenda but fans also want to feel like they have a say in the process. The NFLPA has done a good job of making us feel that way at times.
With that in mind, the NFLPA took to Twitter on Thrusday -- @NFLLockout -- to answer bloggers questions regarding the upcoming lockout. Here are a few highlights:
"I don't know what the future will hold on that specific issue. We'll have to negotiate all of it. Worse if there's a lockout." This was a response to a question about whether the players want the franchise tag in the next labor deal. As you know, the league has said teams can use the franchise tag (and they have been). The union, though, says it's meaningless without a new CBA. The union says it has no idea if the franchise tag will make it into the next deal.
"These reports are too strong. It's unfortunate that the NFLPA's conversations with agents become public. The reports, however, indicate how disappointed the agents and players are with a lockout Nothing justifies a lockout." We asked about the reports that the NFLPA could consider asking players to boycott the NFL Combine or NFL draft. The answer comes off as if there were some conversations regarding a possible boycott. They avoided answering the question directly so my guess would be that there were some sort of conversations. But will they do it? Nope, they say the Combine is the opportunity of a lifetime for some players so they won't do it.
“Players believe we have a fair deal now. Revenues up 43% since 2006. The game has grown in every way.” This is, in my opinion, the union’s strongest argument -- what’s wrong with the current system? If there’s something wrong with it, I agree it’s time to fix it. But the league has only hinted at certain problems and hasn’t explained -- fully and with transparency -- what is wrong.
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