Reports: NFL labor talks could resume this week
Bristol, CT, United States (AHN Sports) – According to a report, dialogue has continued between the NFL and the NFLPA despite formal talks being halted last week.
A report by ESPN.com cited sources familiar with the talks who stated last week’s negotiations between the NFLPA and the NFL broke off when the union characterized its documents as an “illustration” that NFL officials believed represented a proposal for revenue sharing between owners and players.
When the NFLPA characterized documents labeled “NFLPA Proposal” as something other than a collective bargaining proposal, the NFL ended the session, a source familiar with the talks said..
“As often happens in collective bargaining, the parties reached a point where there was a fundamental difference on a critical issue that was not going to be reconciled that day,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.
“The discussions were adjourned to permit both parties to assess their positions and consider how to move the process forward. Far from abandoning the process, in the first four days after the Super Bowl, we have had two meetings of our labor executive committee and negotiating team, a conference call with all 32 clubs, and a meeting with the union.”
According to the report, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell held a conference call with the owners of the 32 NFL teams the day after talks broke down and reported the developments of the previous day. A person familiar with that call said there was complete unanimity among the owners.
Despite the collapse of Wednesday’s meeting, dialogue has continued between the two sides through smaller working groups as well as communication between Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.
One player source said in the report that it is expected both sides will meet this week, as previously scheduled, and a management source did not refute that suggestion.
One person connected to the NFLPA said NFL owners were continuing to be “unreasonable,” which accounted for the disintegration of last week’s meeting.
According to the report, knowledgeable sources who previously were optimistic that CBA negotiations would not result in any lost games next season are growing increasingly pessimistic.
The current agreement between the sides expires on March 3.
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