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Finally some good news in the world of sports: The NFLPA has approved the new CBA, ensuring labor peace for the foreseeable future and ensuing that football can be played in 2020. The highlights of the new CBA include 17 regular-season games and 3 pre-season games, an extra playoff team in each league, and 10-years of extra labor peace. The new CBA will go into effect immediately and run through the 2030 season.
The 17-game season won’t go into effect in 2020, but an extra playoff team in each league will be added immediately. Other features include increased minimum salaries, marijuana drug policy changes, increased roster spots, improved work conditions, less hitting in training camp, and increased benefits for current and former players.
Starting next year, players will receive 48% of revenue (up from 47% in 2020) and minimum salaries will increase by around 20%. This ensured the silent majority passed the new deal, basically saying that the added benefits were worth an extra regular-season game.
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football. We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
In the immediate term, this is a win for the Raiders, ensuring that the 2020 inaugural season in Vegas won’t be interrupted (at least by labor unrest) and adds a real possibility to a playoff appearance. As one of the last teams out of the playoffs this past year, this extra spot would have given even more options to make the playoffs in week 17 of this past year.
In addition, for fans, swapping one pre-season game for a regular-season game is a huge win, especially for season ticket holders who pay full price for both. Because of the odd number of games, Vegas will get one extra regular-season game every other year.
VEGAS INSPIRED COLLECTIONS
“Overall, this is a deal that is going to lead to NFL players getting paid more than we ever have in the past and I LOVE that. With that in mind I voted YES and believe this deal should be acknowledged by all of my teammates and peers so we all have the opportunity to make this final decision together.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NFL Quarterback
Overall, this is the first good news we’ve had since the end of the season and will be the domino that kicks off other Coronavirus decision coming over the next few days. For now, we will be happy that football will be labor-dispute free for the next decade.
UPDATE: Salary Cap figures released.
