(LR) Safety Erik Harris, fullback Alec Ingold and linebacker Kyle Wilber of the Las Vegas Raiders train in a park on June 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller | fake pictures
The push and pull of the National Football League with its players’ union is on public display as both sides seek to resolve uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The parties agreed to conduct daily tests and the NFL offered to cancel the 2020 preseason, but the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) seeks better guarantees in the negotiations.
According to people familiar with the discussions, the NFLPA wants more clarity on club illness plans, guaranteed payout for players in the event training camp and regular-season games stop, and a deal on futures. salary cap problems expected to arise due to Covid-19.
People spoke to CNBC on condition of anonymity, as they are not authorized to discuss negotiations publicly.
Officials representing club owners have battled the NFLPA on daily testing issues due to cost, but ultimately agreed to the terms, as did the NFL with the cancellation of exhibition games.
But since government officials in NFL cities are already hinting at fanless games, the league is preparing for an income of up to $ 70 million per team.
The limit projection was lowered to $ 40 million per team, according to a NFL.com league report, but the official revenue won’t add up until after next season. But, if correct, clubs would have less than $ 198 million to spend on players in 2021.
The union calls for any capitalization blows to calm down over the term of the new 10-year collective agreement, while club owners want the coup to be taken into account immediately.
Another problem that delays negotiations is the amount of compensation for players who choose to stay out of the season. According to sources, clubs would have to offer players some form of payment option for contract players to avoid potential lawsuits that could arise if the NFL forces its players to return.
The NFLPA is also seeking $ 500,000 per player if the league begins its regular season and then has to cancel games due to Covid-19, according to people familiar with the talks.
Earlier Wednesday, CNBC reported that the players union was seeking full payment of wages regardless of the number of games played.
NFLPA official George Atallah questioned the claims and said no such request had been submitted. “The story is not only false, but it has malicious intent,” he said.
The NFL declined to comment.
Other ongoing negotiations
Although the teams have begun to present their required Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plans, some have been sent back to the clubs for clarity, according to people who spoke to CNBC.
In order for all 32 clubs to begin full training camps by July 28, the NFLPA needs to obtain and approve all IDER plans. If not approved, teams can only host up to 20 players in camps.
Some NFL clubs have already opened rookie player camps that are currently being tested for Covid-19. Without an agreement, players must still attend training camp, but again, in limited numbers.
Although the problems persist, people said they expect a deal as the NFL wants to avoid possible player complaints.
Oakley designed the NFL helmet with a face shield to protect players from the spread of germs.
Source: NFL
On Thursday, the NFL announced that fans who attend games in states where it is allowed to wear a mask. The league begins its regular season on September 10.
The NFL also continues to negotiate when players must increase physical practices on the pads. The NFLPA’s concern is the possibility of further injury, similar to the large number of injuries in 2011 after a brief lockout.
Also, Oakley-designed face shields are losing momentum to become mandatory, which the NFL had wanted. According to people, the shields were tested in the laboratory by some NFL players, but not tested on the field, which concerns the NFLPA. Shields are designed to replicate regular face masks and protect players around the mouth and nose area to reduce the risk of contamination during play.
The NFL says Oakley, which pays the league approximately $ 75 million a year in association rights, will have enough shields to distribute to the 32 teams before the start of the 2020 season.
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