Cory's Corner: No To Proposed CBA

 
The NFL owners have come up with something that they think cannot be turned down.
 
It's the newest Collective Bargaining Agreement which adds a 17th regular season game, and an extra team in the playoffs from each conference.
 
The NFL Players Association was supposed to vote on the proposal on Friday, but delayed that until next week. Let me help the NFLPA out: say no and run. 
 
People may say, "What's another game?" And why wouldn't anyone want to see more playoff football?
 
On the surface, it doesn't look terrible. However, take a look at last season. After Week 15, there were three teams that had already clinched their respective division. And let's not forget how awful the Bengals, Dolphins,
Lions and Redskins were. How many people wanted to watch those trainwrecks past Week 10? 
 
I've heard the argument that if you aren't evolving, you're losing. Right now, the NFL is operating at peak performance. In 2020, there will be four games in London and one in Mexico. The games are played on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays. The NFL forces other sports to either change their schedule so that fans can go to or watch NFL games or know that nobody will watch or come to their event.
 
The question is, when is enough enough for the NFL owners? The NFL is teetering on the brink of oversaturation right now. People will plunk down to watch their teams on a Thursday or Monday, but many casual fans are being lost. When games were on two days a week, it was easier to plan around The Shield. People always got together to watch games. I doubt there are many watch parties for the London breakfast games.
 
But the obvious question to the owners is, what is the endgame? How many games do they want? Do they want a 20-game schedule?
 
And I really love the NFL playoffs. One of my favorite parts of the sports calendar is the Divisional Playoff round. It has the most games and every team is in action. But adding more teams to the playoffs mix isn't going to add any more sizzle.
 
You can call me a curmudgeon if you want, but less is more. The NFL is chasing more dollar signs and it's refreshing that the players still hold the keys to the kingdom. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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2 points
 

Comments (24)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 22, 2020 at 06:44 am

The NFL wants to add another palyoff game because they barely pay the players any salary for those games.

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mrtundra's picture

February 22, 2020 at 08:06 am

Firstly, I do not want a playoff scheme that helps the vikings get into the playoffs every year. Secondly, IMO, Goodall wants that extra game so he can expand the NFL into Europe, Asia and South America more than what the current schedule allows. I think Goodall and the League will turn the 4th Preseason game into the Regular season opener. Goodall and the owners are salivating over a year round NFL presence world wide. Again, that is my opinion. Watch current NFL teams play at least one game overseas or out of the US, if the season schedule is expanded. I think teams will need to expand their rosters, significantly if they expand the schedule much more than where it currently sits. Maybe Goodell and Co see more teams for the overseas markets?? One thing I know they see is $$$$. Much of that $$$$ will end up in court trying to settle injury related claims, if they do not expand rosters, as well.

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ricky's picture

February 22, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Double post.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 22, 2020 at 11:06 am

The NFL is still way better than MLB in this regard.

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ricky's picture

February 22, 2020 at 08:12 am

Mark Cuban contrasted the NBA and NFL by saying, "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered." The greedmeisters who run the NFL are not interested in quality. They are interested in maximizing their profit. Enough is enough. But, if the players don't agree, the owners will simply lock them out, and the fans will blame the players for "going on strike" or "being greedy." The owners know this all too well. So, the players are in a tough place- reject, and lose paychecks until they agree; or accept, and allow the injuries to pile up, and the quality of the game to decline further.

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Ferrari-Driver's picture

February 22, 2020 at 09:00 am

I used to call myself an avid fan and I am a CA resident with season tickets for the Packers. During the last number of years that luster has faded with the Kaepernick thing and the continued cost for games. I currently go to a couple of games per season, but the costs are significant for just my wife and myself to attend. My tickets are in the center section on the aisle so they cost around $288 for two, but add in $1600 for airline and another $800 for motel, car rental, and dining, I usually lighten my wallet by around $3,000.00 per game. To me that's a lot of money to see a football game. Primarily, I am a little tired of what appears to be arrogance on the part of too many NFL players. I saw the video of Packer fans who got up in the middle of the night to greet the Packer players returning from the Championship game held in San Francisco at the airport in the middle of the night and with the exception of Aaron Jones and one other player, they ignored the fans and about half even walked on the other side of the divided exit to apparently avoid being near them. I guess I'm getting to the point of feeling "it's just a game". I hope they do not add another game and I certainly hope they eliminate at least two of the boring preseason games for which they charge loyal Green Bay fans. Ten years ago, it would be unbelievable for me to write such a negative note as this, but in my opinion, the game, the players, the Green Bay CEO, and I have changed.

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CAG123's picture

February 22, 2020 at 11:42 am

News flash FD neither you or any fan are entitled to their space just because you bought a ticket or jersey I don't know why or when people started thinking that they are.They hold events that allow you to interact, get pictures and autographs with them attend those if that's what you want. You call it arrogance I call it people that were exhausted after a long physical game and long flight that didn't want people or items in their face in the middles of the night. That's like you working a long 12 hour shift and your neighbor gets pissed because you don't want to stop and chat.

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fordguy's picture

February 22, 2020 at 02:39 pm

The level of arrogance and how big of a jerk you are is unmatched. If your neighbor was paying your paychecks, was showing up to watch you work, and even showed up after a "12 hour shift" and your level of thanks that they showed up in the middle of the night to show support and you're such a dick that you can't even turn your head and acknowledge them. Then that shows the level of your character.

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CAG123's picture

February 23, 2020 at 12:20 am

Another entitled prick. You probably feel like these players owe you something huh? People like you are what’s wrong with society these days the level of entitlement is disgusting. All you’re entitled to is what you paid for nothing on a game ticket or jersey states these athletes have to allow you in their space or have to sign autographs in the middle of the night. You’re probably one of those pieces of shit that talk crazy to cops saying things like “you work for me,I pay you”! Imagine thinking someone is arrogant because I don’t feel like I’m owed anything do you even know the definition of the word? Grow up.

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CAG123's picture

February 22, 2020 at 09:32 am

I don't like the idea of watering down the playoff system to let some mediocre team in and punishing a team that got the number two seed. The Rams nor the Steelers deserved to get in they had the same opportunity the Vikings and Titans had and failed no need to reward them for not getting the job done, 32 two teams vying for 12 playoff spots is perfect if the NFL found itself in position where a lot of 10-6 teams or even 11-5 teams weren't making the playoffs like the Pats in 08 then I could understand but its most likely 8-8 and 9-7 teams.

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Since'61's picture

February 22, 2020 at 09:36 am

Nothing but another blatant money grab attempt by the NFL owners. What we are seeing is some of the primary battle lines being drawn for the upcoming CBA negotiations.

First the owners are trying to get the extra playoff game in for the 2020 season. If they achieve that they will use it as leverage to get a 17 game schedule. And with that extra game who knows where some of those games will be played? Europe, Mexico, South America, maybe even Asia.

How does it make any sense in terms of the quality of play and/or player safety to have a longer season with players further worn down by long distance travel. I doubt that the NFLPA will go for it and this could be one of the issues which threaten the 2021 season.

First off the rosters should be expanded from 53 to 60. With that should come a minimum of 2 bye weeks. Imagine having a bye in week 4 and then playing for 14 consecutive weeks just to finish the season not to mention 4 more weeks of playoff football to reach the Super Bowl. Players will be dropping like flies and all that will be left are UDFAs to play during the playoffs. Also the preseason should be reduced to 2 games.

Greed is the deadliest of the 7 deadly sins and the NFL will be dead if they continue on this path. As I have posted before, prepare for a long work stoppage over the upcoming CBA. Thanks, Since '61

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CAG123's picture

February 22, 2020 at 09:44 am

I agree I always hated early bye weeks for any team and I always thought TNF games should be spread throughout the season to compensate I mean the Packers played both of theirs within the first few weeks. If they go to a 17th game 2 bye weeks and 2 TNF games spread as evenly as possible for all teams during the season. If they are going to devalue the number 2 seed then make sure the season ends on a TNF game and the playoffs resume next Sunday giving non number one seeds a mini bye.

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Adorabelle's picture

February 23, 2020 at 12:56 pm

Every business is in business to make money so of course its a blatant cash grab - it's what they are supposed to do. Every time they have expanded games, teams and playoffs they have just become more popular so they have no reason to think this would stop now. The players union does not seem like the strongest organization and we will have to see what they can get in response to the owners desire to expand. So far I think the owners believe the players won't lose paychecks over their demands and the Union doesn't seem to have the warchest in place to cover them.

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flackcatcher's picture

February 23, 2020 at 08:02 pm

Totally agree '61. The take it or leave aspect of the CBA from the owners is galling. Just cheap theater on their part. Better to lock the players out and be done with it. This whole thing is going to be one massive crap show. Normally, I go off on a rant, but you said it all....

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dobber's picture

February 22, 2020 at 09:54 am

No surprise. First rule of FFL: never accept the first offer.

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Lare's picture

February 22, 2020 at 10:15 am

One article stated that in the new CBA proposal, players would receive a raise from the 47 percent of total revenue they are currently guaranteed to 48 percent each year if the league stays at 16 games and to 48.5 percent if or when a 17-game schedule is approved. In a 16-game schedule, the players would enjoy a $2.5 billion to $3 billion shift over a 10-year deal ($250-$300 million per year). In a 17-game schedule, the players would reap a potential shift of over $5 billion ($500 million per year).

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on the new CBA proposal, but if a 1% or 1.5% share equals those amounts, the NFL is bringing in a heckuva amount of money.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 22, 2020 at 11:19 am

I haven't written an article on the new CBA proposal simply because I don't think there is enough detail released yet. Your point is a prime example. How does one or 1.5% more of "revenue" equal $5 billion?

1% of $16B total revenue is $160 million per year or $1.6B over ten years. 1.5% is $240 million per year or $2.4B. Of the $15B in revenue in 2019, $8.77B was disbursed to the teams, or $274M per team. [Check the GB financials: GB got $274M from the NFL and player costs were $240M or so.] So we haven't even gotten to the amount the cap might rise if the players' share of revenue increases 1 or 1.5 percent, but it would be less than the amounts noted above. $240M divided by 32 teams is $7.5M true, but that's not the cap increase. $188.2M divided by the $274M that teams got from the NFL is 68.69%, so I'd expect the cap to increase by 68.69% of that $7.5M increase, or $5.1M per team. And I don't think that's the right way to figure out the possible cap increase.

One thing is clear in the new deal, there are a lot of increases in benefits to the players. By benefits I mean better pensions, healthcare after playing days are over and the like. Think of that like you didn't get much of a raise but your employer is matching far more of your 401K contribution and/or paying all of the health insurance premium contribution, etc.

I don't have an opinion just because so little information really has been released.

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PeteK's picture

February 22, 2020 at 11:05 am

This new idea will lessen my interest in the NFL because of the following: teams that played just ok will be in the playoffs which in turn devalues the regular season and more injuries will lower the level of play. The NFL is the most profitable and popular sport, yet the GREEDY owners just can't keep a great product alone. However, it's up to us as the consumers to finally say no to being taken advantage of. In the last few decades people are not living within their means(ex:30% underwater in car payments). I have a few friends that constantly complain that they have to pay full game prices for their exhibition games and were taken advantage of with seat licenses in their season tkt plans, yet they still kept their seats while further stressing their finances. Sorry for lecturing ,but this is just getting out of hand in this our great country.

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dobber's picture

February 22, 2020 at 04:31 pm

Adding playoff teams to a season that features such a low number of games bothers me less than adding teams in the NBA, NHL, or MLB without reducing regular season games. Still, 14 teams brings you dangerously close to that 50% line which kills most of your credibility. Maybe once in 4-5 years is a team left out that really might be a threat to win the whole thing. I can live with that.

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Adorabelle's picture

February 22, 2020 at 08:03 pm

Rest assured that whether the players vote for this deal will have very little to do with the 17th game and extra playoff team and a whole lot to do with how much of the revenue stream goes to the players, guaranteed contracts, and health insurance.

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wildbill's picture

February 23, 2020 at 03:08 am

One problem that concerns me is how hard it is to keep players healthy for 16 games and now adding a game would make that worse. Extra playoff games but with numerous first stringers not suited up. Is that a better product?

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Bure9620's picture

February 23, 2020 at 06:45 am

This CBA is a bit of a joke, total money grab for the owners ls and it makes it pretty clear they are not concerned about the product. They figure people will pack in and tune in for a game regardless. It almost says screw the fans too and obviously the players. Player safety my ass.

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Adorabelle's picture

February 23, 2020 at 11:02 am

I have yet to see a business in any line of endeavor that has said "this is enough money, we don't want to make any more. " So the league will always try to have more teams, more games, more postseason, more products, more television and the rest. The market tells you when it's too much. The players are more worried about their compensation and retirement. The owners will have to give some on those areas to get the more games they desire.

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Cotreq's picture

February 24, 2020 at 09:24 am

I get the 17 game schedule as long as the seventeenth game is the 4th pre season game....3 pre season games and start the season a week early. Leave the playoffs alone adding 8-8 and 7-9 teams won't help the fans. One thing that is missing here is if we're going to have 17 games we'll probably have more injuries so as an offset they should bump the 53 man roster to 56-58 or something thereabouts. Add a couple of extra players to the practice squad and increase game day from 44 to 47-48 .

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