It’s been a long time coming, but the National Football League finally quelled nearly five months of labor discord and agreed to a 10-year deal. The new collective bargaining agreement is still pending ratification by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), but 32 team representatives and the NFLPA executive board already unanimously voted in favor of the deal.
The last remaining hurdle before the players vote is recertification of the NFLPA, but sources say that is simply a formality. The NFL set a deadline of August 4 for union recertification, but teams will open their doors and prepare for formal practices and the handling of free agents starting tomorrow.
As with most negotiations, neither side got all of what they wanted, but the owners reportedly overwhelmingly approved the deal. ESPN reports that there are still some unresolved issues to be ironed out to satisfy the players, but no further vote will be necessary.
"We didn't get everything that either side wanted ... but we did arrive at a deal that we think is fair and balanced," NFLPA DeMaurice Smith said.
While things are rosy for the league and its currently players, 75 former players filed suit against the NFL for knowingly keeping information from them about the dangers of concussions.
Click here for more on the concussion case.
