National Football League

Friday NFL labor blog

Published Mar. 4, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Plenty of labor developments occurred Friday including the agreement to extend the deadline for a week. Follow the updates as they happened Friday. (All times are Eastern.)

NFL makes statements on extension — 3:18 p.m.

Roger Goodell statement:

“We’re continuing to work hard. We’re trying to indentify solutions. We believe as I’ve said several times before that this will be solved through negotiations. And that’s what we’re focused on and we’ll be here next week.”

“I think that the fact that we’re continuing the dialog is a positive sign.”

Jeff Pash statement on CBA discussions:

“We had good discussions today with (FMCS) director (George) Cohen and his deputy (Scot Beckenbaugh). I would just say that they’ve both brought a tremendous element of professionalism and wisdom and patience to this whole process. And they have been very helpful.”

“We’re looking forward to getting back together with the Players Association next Monday. And we’re going to continue work. I think we’re at a stage where the issues have been joined. There’s been a tremendous amount of discussions. It’s time to dig deep and find solutions, and try to be creative, and try to compromise in a way that will work for everybody.”

“The commissioner has been very clear. If both sides give a little, everyone can gain a lot. And that’s what we have to try to do next week. “

“It’s a challenge. We’ve got very serious issues. We’ve got have significant differences. But we are committed to collective bargaining. All over this country collective bargaining is being challenged. We’re committed to it. We believe it can work. It has worked. We believe it will work. We’re glad to have the opportunity to come back here next Monday. Continue to work with director Cohen and his staff and hopefully deliver an agreement that will work for our fans.”

Q: Are both sides giving in (during negotiations)?

“There has been enough serious discussions to warrant both sides taking this step. And the mediators felt that and that’s why they requested it of us. And if they believe that we’re in a position where we can make progress and get to an agreement, then I think it’s incumbent upon us with our ownership to make that effort.”

Q: Are you optimistic about getting a deal done by next Friday?

“You know … I never felt that this something where, optimism, pessimism, up or down like it’s a weather report, is a good way to look at it. We’re talking, that’s the most important thing. And that’s a reason for optimism. Talking is better than litigating. Talking is better than walking away. So let’s stay at it, and that’s where we are.”

Q: Does you expect to get the CBA done by next Friday?

“I have no expectation one way or the other than to have a solid week of negotiations.”

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks — 3:15 p.m.

Opening statement:

"We want to say a special thanks to all our fans for being extremely patient. We dig our fans and our players want to play football. It's been an honor and privilege to work with our executive committee and a number of our reps over the past few days to try and negotiate for a fair deal. It's something we've tried to do and worked hard to do over the past two years. There's a commitment from both sides to engage in another round of negotiations at the request of the mediation service. We look forward to a deal coming out of that.

"What we have always had at our core is the football that our players love to play and the fans who love to watch them. There's never going to be a day where we're not going to have those two things first and foremost in our minds. To all of you who have been braving the weather out here, welcome to March weather in Washington. We're going to continue to see you probably over the next few days. We won't have any comment as usual about the ongoing discussions in the mediation sessions. I want to thank all of you for respecting that media blackout."

Q: Do you feel like trust (with the NFL) has been rebuilt and negotiations are now going on in good faith?

Smith: "Look -- when you say something about trust or raise issues about things like confidence, none of those things are repaired quickly. Our fans have signed petitions to take this lockout off the table. My gut tells me that the love that the fans have for this game is a love that's been built up over decades. I can tell you from a family who has grown up in this area that has always rooted for the burgundy and gold, there takes a lot to shake that confidence. But we all are stewards of our game. We all have a fiduciary responsibility to the players who have played this game, the players who play this game and the players who will play. That fiduciary obligation extends to every man, woman and child who loves to watch our game and dig the people who play it. I want you to know on behalf of the players of the National Football League that they understand it, they appreciate it and we're never going to squander it."

Q: The mere fact you've agreed to a one-week extension, would it be be fair to say you've made progress and are substantially closer to a deal than you were (before)?

Smith: "I'm not going to talk about where we are. I think it's very important to recognize and never forget what we've talked about over the last two years about what the league has demanded back and what the players' response has been to it. I'm not going to talk about what's going on in the mediation session. When you look at the case caption on the (NFL television money) case that judge (David) Doty just ruled on, the fourth name on that case caption is a man named Dave Duerson. That's our history. He signed on to be a plaintiff in a case to fight for free agency for players. He signed on to be a leader to benefit players who he knew were going to come after him. What we do is hold firm and keep close to our chest the history and legacy that we have. We believe that's the legacy that has to carry us through, that defines what our mission is. There isn't a day where we don't make every decision based on that.

"I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We'll be working a little bit over the weekend. I know we'll be working hard next week. Take some time off. Enjoy your families. I'm going to go coach my daughter's basketball team tomorrow, so hopefully all of you are big fans of that and big fans of our game. I appreciate it. Y'all take care over the weekend."

NFL and NFLPA to speak at 3 p.m. ET — 2:04 p.m.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith will briefly address the media on CBA discussions at 3:00 p.m. ET in front of NFLPA offices.

NFL lead negotiator/general counsel Jeff Pash will also update the media on the CBA at the same time. It's assumed he will do so near the offices of the FMCS (Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service). — Adam Caplan

Report: CBA deadline extended seven days — 2:04 p.m.

According to several media reports, the NFL and NFLPA have decided to extend their CBA (collective bargaining agreement) discussions for another week through next Friday. However, the NFLPA said that decision hasn’t been made on their side just yet.

“Members of the NFLPA Executive committee are currently voting on extension. There is a process that we will respect,” NFLPA assistant executive director of external affairs George Atallah said.

If the agreement to extend the deadline becomes official, as expected, the CBA would expire on March 11. If the deadline is extended, both sides would resume negotiations this Monday (March 7). Both sides agreed to a 24-hour extension of the CBA on Thursday.

No transactions of any kind can take place until a new CBA is signed. Personnel sources believe once a new CBA is completed, however, there will be at least a two to three-day moratorium on transactions in order for contract negotiators and agents to understand the new CBA and the rules of free agency. — Adam Caplan

Report: NFL, union meeting separately with mediator — 1:24 p.m.

According to the Associated Press, the NFL and NFLPA were meeting separately with Federal Mediator George Cohen on Friday to discuss the next steps in the negotiations for a new CBA.

Sports Business Journal reported the NFLPA has already agreed to a 10-day extension of the CBA expiration in order to keep negotiations going. The NFL is expected to make their decision on whether they will agree with the extension by 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday. If they don't agree on the extension, the CBA will expire at midnight ET.

Both sides agreed Thursday to a 24-hour extension of the previous CBA expiration of Friday at 12:00 a.m. ET. — Adam Caplan

Report: Serious progress made on issues — 10:24 a.m.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, “serious, significant progress'' has been made on CBA issues.

"This is not a sham,'' King’s source said, "but it is very fragile.'”

The areas of progress are not currently known, but for a new CBA to get done, an 18-game schedule and revenue sharing are the biggest hurdles to overcome.
— Adam Caplan

Report: Players agree to 10-day extension — 10:16 a.m.

According to Sports Business Journal, NFL players through the NFLPA have already agreed to a 10-day extension of labor talks, which was suggested by Federal Mediator George Cohen.

If the owners don't agree to the extension, the CBA will expire at midnight.— Adam Caplan

Players, owners working on another extension? — 10:08 a.m.

According to Sports Business Journal and other media outlets, a 7-10 day extension is expected between the NFL and NFLPA to work out a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

On Thursday, both sides agreed to push the deadline back another day to Friday.

SI.com reports a fourth issue has emerged in the labor talks, adding to $1 billion in exempted money, 18-game schedule and rookie wage scale.
— Adam Caplan

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