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NFL and players’ union delayed plans for 2020 and salary cap deal

(LR) Safety Erik Harris, fullback Alec Ingold and linebacker Kyle Wilber of the Las Vegas Raiders practice in a park on June 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ethan Miller | Getty Images

The National Football League’s standoff with its players’ union is on public display, as both sides seek to resolve uncertainties over the coronavirus pandemic.

Teams have agreed to daily tests and the NFL has offered to cancel the 2020 preseason, but the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is looking for better assurances in negotiations.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the NFLPA wants more clarity on club disease plans, guaranteed compensation for players in the event of a withdrawal from training camp and regular season games, and a agreement on future salary cap issues expected to arise due to Covid-19.

People spoke to CNBC on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to discuss the negotiations publicly.

Officials representing club owners fought the NFLPA over daily testing issues due to cost, but ultimately agreed to the terms, as did the NFL with the cancellation of exhibition games.

But with government officials in NFL towns already hinting at fanless games, the league is bracing for revenue of up to $ 70 million per team.

The projection of the cap has been reduced to $ 40 million per team, according to a league report from NFL.com, but official income will not be totaled until after the coming season. But, if this is correct, clubs would have less than this year’s $ 198 million to spend on players in 2021.

The union is calling for any caps to be eased throughout the term of the new 10-year collective agreement, while club owners want success to be considered immediately.

Another issue that is holding up negotiations is the amount of compensation for players who choose not to participate in the season. According to sources, clubs should offer players some form of payment option for contracted players to avoid possible legal action that could arise if the NFL forces its players to return.

The NFLPA is also seeking $ 500,000 per player if the league begins its regular season and then has to cancel games due to Covid-19, according to people familiar with the conversations.

Earlier Wednesday, CNBC reported that the players union had demanded full payment of wages, regardless of the number of games played.

George Atallah, head of the NFLPA, disputed the allegations, saying no such request had been made. “The story is not only false, but has malicious intent,” he said.

The NFL declined to comment.

Other ongoing negotiations

Although teams have started submitting their infectious disease emergency response plans (IDERs), some have been referred to clubs for clarity, according to people who spoke to CNBC.

In order for all 32 clubs to start full training camps by July 28, the NFLPA must obtain and approve all IDER plans. If not approved, teams will only be allowed to accommodate a maximum of 20 players in the camps.

Some NFL clubs have already opened camps for newbie players who are currently being tested for Covid-19. In the absence of an agreement, players are still required to attend training camp, but again, in limited numbers.

While issues remain, people said they expected a deal because the NFL wanted to avoid potential player grievances.

Oakley designed an NFL helmet with a face shield to protect players from the spread of germs.

Source: NFL

On Thursday, the NFL announced that fans who attend games in states where it is permitted would be required to wear a mask. The league begins its regular season on September 10.

The NFL also continues to negotiate when players need to step up physical practices in the pads. The concern for the NFLPA is the potential for increased injuries, similar to the plethora of injuries in 2011 after a brief lockout.

Also, face shields designed by Oakley are losing momentum to be mandated, which is what the NFL intended. According to people, the shields have been lab tested by some NFL players, but not field tested, as far as the NFLPA is concerned. The shields are designed to mimic ordinary face masks and protect players around the mouth and nose to reduce the risk of contamination during play.

The NFL says Oakley, which pays the league roughly $ 75 million a year in partnership rights, will have enough shields to distribute to the 32 teams before the start of the 2020 season.

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