News Flash: NFL owners accept the deal proposed by the players union, extending the collective bargaining agreement another six years through 2011. The final vote was 30-2, with only Cincinnati and Buffalo voting against it.
Teddy’s Take: It’s about time! After weeks of posturing and threats, league owners decided to make like John Lennon and give peace a chance. Now we can go back to worrying about the important stuff….free agency, the draft, and what the Patriots must do to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Route 1.
I’ve already stated my opinions plenty of times…..what do you think of the labor deal? Did it really have to take this long to get done? Who won in the end? What does it mean to the Patriots?
Get those keyboards tapping and have your voice heard…your comments just might land you in next Tuesday’s Lowell Sun!
Unlike any other professional sport in this country, the NFL owners realize the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. Although such agreements do not adhere to our capitalistic ideals, it is the exception to the rule where everybody wins.
Unfortunately, it also supports teams who do not fully tap into the full potential of their local markets. Which is why I don't understand why the Bengals would actually be only one of two teams to vote against it. Isn't it the Bengals who refuse to sell the naming rights to their stadium? Thus, turning away at least $20 mill/year in revenues? I don't get it.
I guess we know what's going to happen to the Pats. ESPN is reporting Big Willie to be a Cap Casualty....
I hope they're looking to re-sign him but you have to think Parcells or Crennel would scoop him up.......
Good job by all involved with the NFL CBA...this should hold off gauranteed salaries for the player for 6 more years...I hope they never get there....I still like a team to be able to dump a stiff if they draft wrong or land up with some piece of garbage...It keeps the competition high and makes the players earn their keep.....
My Prediction: Willee will sign back with the Pats and so will Adam....
I am very happy the CBA agreements have come to a close and we can now begin to prepare for next season.
The fact that the Kraft Family had a hand in helping to settle this by developing the approved revenue sharing plan once again demonstrates how fortunate we are to have this family owning our football franchise. While Jonathan Kraft has gone on record saying the Patriots would have been OKAY if the agreement had not been reached, I am sure it would have been difficult. We all know the Patriots set limits on players and do not overpay. Robert Kraft has stated publicly many times that one main reason he knew he would be a successful team owner was because of the salary cap. He believed he was very good at evaluating businesses and employees and knew he would be able to assemble a management team that could successfully manage to that cap. So, while Jonathan says they would have been okay, my fear was New England would have lost many more players to more spend thrift teams without the new CBA.
Admittedly I do not know all the particulars of the revenue sharing plan, but I do like that the revenue will not be shared with Owners who do not attempt to work to improve their football team or generate additional revenues on their own. This is important for two reasons 1. It will make these teams more competitive, thus a better product and better competition and 2. It will force teams to become better at marketing.
Let’s not forget, it was not that long ago the New England Patriots were ranked #28 out of 28 teams in generating revenue. Today they are touted as the most successful professional sports franchise in the country. While three Lombardi Trophies has helped, the revenue streams were created long before the Trophies were in the display case.
I applaud the NFL Owners and the NFL Players Association for getting this done. As previously mentioned on this site, these owners understood voting for the CBA and creating a working Revenue Sharing Plan proved a win for all involved.
Now, if we can only get Adam and Willie back on board…