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NFL Owners Opt Out of Collective Bargaining Agreement

End of labor deal could lead to 2011 lockout

By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 8:48 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As the NFL deals with Spygate's embarrassment, an even bigger concern has appeared on the horizon: the league's owners voted unanimously yesterday to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, which could lead to a lockout in 2011. Commissioner Roger Goodell insists that there will be at least three more seasons of football before any interruption, reports ESPN.

“The agreement isn't working, and we're looking to get a more fair and equitable deal," he said. Goodell listed three reasons for the early termination: high labor costs, concerns with rookie salaries, and owners’ inability to recover player bonuses. "We will move ahead. This just starts the clock ticking. If we can't reach agreement by 2010, then we go to no-man's land,” said the players' association honcho.

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, right, huddles with National Football League Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, right, huddles with National Football League Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw, left, on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to issues of player conduct after earlier addressing the collective bargaining agreement during the NFL owners meeting Tuesday May 20, 2008, in Atlanta.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to issues of player conduct after earlier addressing the collective bargaining agreement during the NFL owners meeting Tuesday May 20, 2008, in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/John Amis)
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, center, shakes hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as Mark Miles, left, president of the Super Bowl bid committee for Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, center, shakes hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as Mark Miles, left, president of the Super Bowl bid committee for Indianapolis.   (AP Photo/John Amis)
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NFL • Roger Goodell • football • labor • NFLPA • Gene Upshaw • NFL Players Association

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