Player representatives from 32 different teams agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement July 25 to end the 132-day National Football League (NFL) lockout.
“This is a long time coming and football is finally back,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith came together outside the NFL Players Association headquarters to announce the end of the lockout, while acknowledging both sides did not receive everything they asked for.
While the exact details of the deal are currently unknown, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a 10-year deal with an opt-out clause.
The owners voted and agreed on the deal on July 21, with a unanimous vote 31-0, with only the Oakland Raiders abstaining–stating there were “profound philosophical differences.”
Even with the deal inked, it still leaves many open questions for both the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers.
“For the Niners, the big issue is to sign a cornerback,” said former 49ers public relations employee Ryan Donough. “While I don’t expect them to do a flashy free agent signing, I do hope they will sign a few important pieces.”
The 49ers and the Raiders are able to sign free agents starting July 26 and will open training camp doors the next day.
Under the CBA salary cap rules, the Raiders are currently 10 million dollars over–meaning they will have to cut players or renegotiate contracts.
The biggest loss for the Raiders will be cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, a free agent that is considered the best player in the free agent pool.
“Nnamdi will most likely not resign with the Raiders, and while it will be a big loss, I believe the Raiders are in a good position after last season to win their division,” said former Oakland Raiders community relations employee Jenn Cruse.
With all the questions still lingering, fans are happy to have one of the most popular sports in America back.
“To be honest I didn’t follow the CBA negotiations because it was so confusing, but I’m just happy to have football back,” said CSU East Bay senior Brittany Monk.
“I can’t wait to get out to the games,” said San Jose State junior Alex Assia. “The lockout just showed how greedy owners and even players can be, but with them resolving it before we miss games shows how important football is to our culture.”
The deal changes include how the 9 billion dollar annual league revenue will now be divided–53 percent to owners and 47 percent to players.
The deadline for player recertification and ratification of the CBA is August 4.
The new agreement is timely, as the pre-season will begin in late August.
