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NFL approves CBA through 2030 by slim player vote, 14-team playoffs will start in 2020 season

By

Jacob Hutchinson

/

© John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The wait and hold-your-breath routine is over, the fears of a 2021 lockout gone with it. As of Sunday morning, the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement has been approved by dues-paying members of the NFL Player’s Association, by a close vote of 1,019 to 959 (51.5 percent to 48.5 percent).

What does this mean? A few key things, many of which are expected to be decided later on Sunday. What is confirmed:

  • Player’s revenue percentage will go from 47 to 48 percent, while owners’ will decrease from 53 to 52 percent starting in 2021. Depending on TV deals, that can spike and rise up to 48.8 percent for players (and will go up to 48.5 percent if/when a 17-game regular season, 3-game preseason is implemented)
  • With the CBA approved teams can no longer use both the franchise and transition tags this offseason (was a one-time option this offseason)
  • NFL players secure money for post-career benefits, including players who were not previously included
  • Minimum salaries increase by roughly 20 percent, effective immediately
  • Active roster will increase from 46 to 48 players, one player must be an extra offensive lineman
  • Practice squads will expand from 10 players to 12 in 2020 and 2021 and to 14 starting in 2022 and practice squad salaries wi

What remains to be decided is when the start of free agency and the new NFL season will be. The new year was originally scheduled to be start March 18, with multiple reports stating that it’s expected to be pushed back. A key part of this being approved now is that teams can and will conduct business for the future, knowing how contracts are structured and how much money they’ll have available going forward.

The following comes from NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell:

We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football.  We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith posted this open letter about the process on Saturday night, after player voting had closed:

Newly-voted NFLPA President JC Tretter posted the following, praising the democratic process and the tangible gains, while acknowledging the imperfect nature of the new CBA (which punishes holdouts, extends the season, cuts out a playoff bye, among other flaws):

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