On Monday, NFL and NFLPA representatives met to talk about the upcoming season via telephone. The main prevailing issues up for discussion are Covid-19, player safety, salaries, and testing protocols.
Player Focus and Covid-19
Good meeting today with management. We were blunt and honest with them we will not compromise our players health in these discussions.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 14, 2020
Players safety is paramount more than ever during this pandemic. However, the league is pushing for an active agreement prior to players reporting for training camp on July 28. Regardless of how much we all want a football season, it isn’t an essential business. Can the league start on time? Yes, yes it can. Whether it will is a completely different story.
Related: Way Too Early Raiders Cuts Amid Covid-19
League Business
NFL Media insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero gave us a quick insight into what are some of the league’s issues as well.
From NFL Now: An update on where things stand as the NFL & NFLPA talk, plus how few franchise tag extensions are likely to get done… pic.twitter.com/9KNEEvSnMn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 13, 2020
2020 is not the ideal year for players seeking long-term contract extensions. As Rapoport said in the above clip, there is just too much uncertainty going around right now.
Dollars and Cents
As the NFL and NFLPA get set for a call today, another look at some outstanding issues, the union's economic counterproposal and how a COVID-19 "risk stipend" could work. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/HypnZCv3xs
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 13, 2020
First, is Covid-19 a football injury or a non-football injury? Will players sign waivers to take the field? Also, how will a season without fans impact the revenue sharing? In the meantime, players introduced a players risk stipend.
The risk stipend is as follows:
- Players who report to the start of camp will be guaranteed $250k.
- 2020 draft picks or players with an accrued season in 2019 will be guaranteed $500k.
- Players surviving roster cutdowns and making an active/inactive list would be guaranteed. $500k, plus whatever they earn per game salary. If some games end up being played.
Continuing Talks
Procedural negotiations are expected to last throughout the week, but many issues are still in need of solutions. Currently, 72 players have confirmed cases of Covid-19 according to the NFLPA official website.
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Top Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
