NFL Owners Vote To End Lockout

Players Could Vote On Proposal On Friday

NFL owners made headlines on Thursday night with their big announcement; they voted unanimously, 31-0, to end the lockout.  The Raiders abstained from the voting.  The only problem is this is just step one, the owners voted on their proposal, which they claim union representatives have agreed to in principal.  The next step comes on Friday when the players are expected to vote on the proposal.

According to ESPN.com, if the players vote yes to the proposal and agree to certify the Union before Tuesday, the Hall of Fame preseason game between the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams on 08/07/11 would be canceled.   The following timeline was also proposed by the owners:

Saturday 07/23/11

• Team facilities could be open to the players for training, conditioning and classroom instruction
• Clubs may begin to negotiate contracts with their own players
• Waivers begin
• 2pm:  Negotiations may begin with undrafted rookie free agents and NFL free agents

Sunday 07/24/11

• 2pm:  Undrafted rookie free agents may be signed

Wednesday 07/27/11

• 2pm:  New league year begins
• NFL free agency signing period begins
• Training camp opens for all teams

That is a lot of activity for teams to digest in a very short period of time.  A scenario where training camp begins just as free agency is being sorted out just doesn’t seem real.  That is life in the post-lockout NFL.  The good news is that this is a 10 year deal, so once it is approved it will be a long time before this is an issue again.  Although there are some rumblings that the players Union wants an opt-out clause after 7 years.

The Associated Press put together the highlights of the new CBA proposal:

• Salary cap plus bonuses of 120.375 million in 2011 and at least that amount in 2012 and 2013
• Player share must average at least 47 percent for the 10-year term of the agreement
• League wide commitment to cash spending of 99 percent of the cap in 2011 and 2012

The full list is definitely worth a read and be sure to check out our NY Jets message board for the latest news.  We will have regular updates as more information is made available.