Finally, we have some tangible progress in the NFL labor negotiations. The owners voted 31-0 today in approval of the new CBA. Not surprisingly, Al Davis abstained from the vote. That’s probably because he’s not actually alive. Also, rumor has that this deal has a “Jerry Clause”, which allows for some cap leniency for overpriced veterans.

Part of the agreement requires that the NFLPA becomes re-certified as a union by July 26th. In the meantime, if the players approve the deal tonight. The season will start on the 27th and teams can start signing undrafted free agents Sunday at 2 PM. It also appears that this will be a 10 year deal with no opt out provision. An opt out is how this whole mess began. (more…)

The big lock-out news from yesterday was a decision handed down by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In it, the court overturned a U.S. District Court’s ruling to lift the lock-out. It wasn’t exactly a landmark ruling. Basically, it means absolutely nothing. For one, there was already a stay on the lock-out anyway. Secondly, very few thought that this lawsuit would see the light of day in the first place. It’s mostly a formality. Hopefully, the new CBA will be agreed upon at the negotiation table, not in a court room. Of course, if De Smith and Roger Goodell were to start throwing hay-makers at each other today and the negotiations broke down, this court decision might end up actually meaning something. (more…)