NFL owners approve the new CBA framework, it now goes over to the player’s union reps

Early Thursday morning we discussed the NFL potentially adding a 17th game with no extra bye week, eliminating one bye week in the playoffs, while adding a seventh team to each conference playoff as well. Thursday afternoon, the owners voted to accept the framework of the CBA deal that has been negotiated. Here is the statement:

Following more than ten months of intensive and thorough negotiations, the NFL Players and clubs have jointly developed a comprehensive set of new and revised terms that will transform the future of the game, provide for players – past, present, and future – both on and off the field, and ensure that the NFL’s second century is even better and more exciting for the fans.

The membership voted Thursday to accept the negotiated terms on the principal elements of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Players Association would also need to vote to approve the same terms for there to be a new agreement.

Since the clubs and players need to have a system in place and know the rules that they will operate under by next week, the membership also approved moving forward under the final year of the 2011 CBA if the players decide not to approve the negotiated terms. Out of respect for the process and our partners at the NFLPA, we will have no further comment at this time.

The player’s union reps will have a phone call on Friday to discuss the proposal. It takes a two-thirds vote to pass the owners proposal from each of the 32 teams to move to the full-body where only a simple majority is needed to pass.

It’s worth noting that not every owner voted for the proposal. In their case, a three-fourths approval was needed. The union has until next week approve the deal, or the league will operate under the “final year” rule.

Since the clubs and players need to have a system in place and know the rules that they will operate under by next week, the membership also approved moving forward under the final year of the 2011 CBA if the players decide not to approve the negotiated terms. NFL teams can use both the franchise and transition tags this offseason because it is regarded as the “Final League Year” under the current CBA.

Schefter reported that we could see teams get a bunch of deals done next week if this is passed. As for the statement above, the wording makes it seem like the players will be portrayed in a bad way if the deal is rejected. Also, under the new CBA proposal, the extra game check would be capped at $250,000. So the highest-paid players would play for less than usual. Each player makes the same amount in the playoffs as it is. The most important games are worth the least in terms of dollars for the highest-paid players. Makes sense!

The timing for the 49ers and this CBA could be interesting with some critical extensions coming up soon. Agents will likely want to wait until they see all the fine details in the new CBA