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NFL Owners Opt Out of Collective Bargaining Agreement
End of labor deal could lead to 2011 lockout
By Doug Sweeney
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Posted May 21, 08 8:48 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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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.