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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
League labor issues could slow team’s maturation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NFL owners today voted to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement they entered into with the players’ union in 2006 (click here for story). The decision was not unexpected, as owners have said over the past few months that the labor pact was not financially viable for the long-term success of the NFL.
What this means: The NFL will operate as it has for the next two seasons. In 2010, there will be no salary cap, which could result in a baseball-like hierarchy with some teams spending with no regard and others spending just enough to field a team and paint the numbers on the field for eight home games.
In 2011, the labor pact would expire and play could cease. For Falcons’ fans, this could be somewhat unnerving because 2011 could be when this currently young roster, including quarterback Matt Ryan, starts to hit his stride.
While these scenarios don’t paint the ideal picture the timetable to begin talks on a new labor pact has been accelerated by the owners deciding to opt out of the labor agreement today. There is plenty of time for a new collective bargaining agreement to be reached and the NFL and their players have enjoyed tremendous success and wealth by figuring things out.
Unless something radical happens there is no reason to believe either side would slaughter the cash cow.
