The NFLPA has been notified that all 32 team owners have voted unanimously to opt out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. This could lead to an uncapped year in 2010 -- seemingly a financial free-for-all -- and a potential lockout in 2011. The salary cap will be in place for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The current CBA was extended in March, 2006, with an opt-out clause for November of 2008, which was taken early.
"A collective bargaining agreement has to work for both sides," the NFL said Tuesday morning. "If the agreement provides inadequate incentives to invest in the future, it will not work for management or labor. And, in the context of a professional sports league, if the agreement does not afford all clubs an opportunity to be competitive, the league can lose its appeal."
From the owners' perspective, rising player costs have been a real sticking point in the current CBA. The required percentage allotted to players has risen to about 60 percent for the 2008 season. Stadium costs and other financial obligations have also factored in.
NFLPA president Gene Upshaw was not at all surprised by the termination, and the NFL has viewed to try to find a long-term solution. The league managed to do so last time, but it will be a tougher sell in the future.