The NFL Players Association voted to approved the new collective bargaining agreement, according to a statement released by the NFLPA on Sunday.
“NFL players have voted to approve ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement by a vote tally of 1,019 to 959,” according to the statement. “This result comes after a long and democratic process in accordance with our constitution. An independent auditor received submitted ballots through a secure electronic platform, then verified, tallied and certified the results.”
The ballots went out last Thursday and the voting was to remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. On Monday, the NFLPA board of player representatives extended the voting to 11:59 p.m., Saturday.
A total of 1,978 players voted, with 51.5% voting yes and 48.5% voting no, in a close vote. That’s a nearly 80% turnout of the roughly 2,500 dues-paying members of the union.
The NFL owners approved the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement on Feb. 20. The new deal will extend through the 2030 season, will include a 17-game regular season and an expanded playoff field.
The NFLPA board of representatives voted to send the proposal to the membership for a vote. The document, essentially a contract between the league and the union, is 456 pages long.
The previous agreement was 310 pages.
“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,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in statement release by the league. “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.”
Some high profile players like Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson came out against the proposed deal. San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman was not pleased about the league wanting a 17-game schedule, while still discussing player safety.
Falcons player representative Josh Harris, the team's long snapper, was in Miami for the players rep meeting during the Super Bowl. There was also a meeting in Los Angeles and one in Indianapolis during the scouting combine.
The players also want a cut of the money if the league is able to negotiate potentially lucrative television and live-streaming contracts over the course of the new agreement.
“That’s what the media kickers are in place for,” Harris said.
With the NFL’s new league year set to open March 18, many teams, including the Falcons, and player agents came move out of the holding pattern with offseason business deals.
Harris, who played at Auburn and is from West Carrollton, pointed out that a majority of the players are going to see significant pay increases, better post-playing benefits and improved working conditions.
“I think it’s a good deal,” Harris said.
Shortly before the vote was announced, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith released a three-page open letter going over the process.
Smith noted that the deal was a product of months of negotiation, he addressed some of the criticisms and explained why he believed the deal is good for the players.
“I hear — loudly and clear — those of you who have passionately expressed their perspective that these gains are not enough when weighed against, for example, adding another game,” Smith wrote. “That positions reflects how some members have chosen to weigh what aspect of the deal is important to them.”
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