NFL lockout: Key points of the deal between players and owners
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The NFL lockout is all but over, with the new 10-year labor deal becoming official once the 1,900 players vote to ratify the deal. The vote is considered a formality now that the player representatives from all 32 teams have signed off on the agreement.
DEAL HIGHLIGHTS
--The fixed term of the agreement, which has no opt-out clause, covers the 2011 through 2020 seasons and includes the 2021 draft.
-- Unrestricted free agency for players after four accrued seasons; restricted free agency for players with three accrued seasons.
--Off-season program reduced by five weeks; limits placed on on-field practice time, contact.
--All drafted players sign four-year contracts (plus a fifth year club option for Round 1); undrafted free agents sign three-year contracts.
--Teams have committed to spending 99% of the cap space in 2011 and 2012, and will need to spend 95% on average for the duration of the contract. With reductions in the rookie salary structure, the percentages ensure money will be spent on the veterans.
--Player will get half of his salary, up to $1 million, in the season after a catastrophic injury. In the second year, he’ll get 30%, up to $500,000.
--Over the next 10 years, additional funding for retiree benefits of between $900 million
and $1 billion.
NEXT Tuesday: League year begins. At 7 a.m. PDT, teams can start signing 2011 draft picks and rookie free agents, have conversations with veteran free agents, and trading can begin.
Wednesday: Training camps will begin opening. Camps will open on different days so every team has the same amount of practice time before their first preseason game. (10 more teams report Thursday, 10 on Friday, and two on Sunday. Teams will be allowed to have 90 players on the roster during camp.
Thursday: Waiver period begins. Teams can begin terminating contracts at 1:01 p.m. PDT.
Friday: Full free agency begins at 3 p.m. PDT. Roster and option bonuses that would have been earned during the lockout will be paid if the player is on the roster at 1 p.m. PDT.
RELATED:
Retired players won’t hold up NFL labor deal
NFL lockout puts rookie free agents in limbo
NFL owners, players make progress
--Sam Farmer