NFL lockout may be close to an end as players and owners negotiate collective bargaining agreement

(NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and players association Director Demaurice Smith)

Sweet baby Jesus in swaddling fleece diapers THANK YOU!!!

The start of the 2011 NFL season could be right around the corner, as news comes to light about new details of a possible Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and its players.

According to a report from ESPN.com, sources close to the NFL are reporting details of a proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement that may signal an end to the near 100-day NFL Lockout.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is revealing to all 32 NFL owners details surrounding the new proposal currently being negotiated

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, details of the proposal are as follows:

Players will get a 48 percent share of “all revenue” without the extra $1 billion plus of the top.

Under new formula, players’ share will never dip below 46.5 percent.

All teams will be required to spend a minimum of 90-93 percent of the salary cap

1. A rookie wage scale will be part of the deal, but as of this time is still being “tweaked”.

2. An 18-game regular season is being designated as a negotiable item with the players and at no point is mandated in the deal.

3. A new 16-game Thursday night television package beginning in 2012, will be the source of new revenue.

4. Owners will still get some expense credits that will allow funding for new stadiums.

5. Retirees will benefit from improved health care and pension benefits as revenue is projected to double to $18 billion by 2016.

These details show no sign of the end to the lockout, however it does show significant improvement on negotiations in order to get a new Collective Bargaining Agreement done.

Great so the hard part seems to be out of the way, now let’s nail down these smaller issues and get this thing crackin’!!

Source