Just as many expected would happen, labor negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union are heading down to the wire — and possibly beyond.
In the first real indication of what’s been going on behind closed doors, the federal mediator overseeing talks said Thursday the two sides made “some progress” during more than 40 hours spread over seven consecutive days of face-to-face meetings, but “very strong differences remain.”
The league and union will resume mediation Tuesday, less than 72 hours before the collective bargaining agreement expires. If there’s no new deal in place by the end of Thursday, the union contends owners will move to lock out players, threatening the 2011 season. But the NFL has said the deadline could be extended.
“At bottom, some progress was made,” said George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, “but very strong differences remain on the all-important core issues that separate the parties.”
While Cohen did not name those issues, the biggest sticking point has been how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues.
“During the intervening weekend, the parties have been asked by us to assess their current positions,” Cohen said.
If there is a lockout, head coaches and assistants could lose up to 50 percent of their salaries in 2011, or they could even lose their jobs. It’s up to each of the league’s 32 teams to decide.
“Every team has a clause that says their salary will be rolled back at a certain point in time,” NFL coaches association executive director Larry Kennan said. “The good teams say they won’t roll back salaries for six months. The bad teams say they’ll roll it back immediately, and certain teams have it written into the contracts that they can be terminated immediately.”
Also, there was a hearing before a U.S. District Court judge in Minneapolis to discuss the NFLPA’s complaint that the league improperly negotiated TV deals. The union has accused the NFL of structuring contracts so owners would be guaranteed money from networks even if there was a lockout in 2011 — while not getting the most revenue possible in other seasons, when income would need to be shared with players. It’s not clear when there will be a decision in the case.
Footnotes.
The Raiders placed the franchise tag on linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and agreed to deals with cornerback Stanford Routt ($31.5 million, three years) and defensive tackle John Henderson ($8 million, two years). The team also signed special-teams standout and running back Rock Cartwright to an undisclosed deal.
• Panthers center Ryan Kalil signed his one-year tender worth more than $10 million.
• Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was sentenced to probation and 200 hours of community service under a plea deal for his role in a 2007 strip club melee in Las Vegas. He was also ordered to receive anger management counseling and random drug testing.
• The NFL said it will recommend team doctors and trainers use a standardized sideline test to diagnose concussions next season.
