National Football League

Union files complaint against NFL

Published Jun. 9, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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The NFL Players Association filed a complaint Wednesday alleging that the league deprived players of potential revenue when it re-negotiated its contracts with television networks.

The complaint says the league structured the contracts so it would be guaranteed money even if there is a lockout in 2011 while not maximizing revenue from the previous two seasons — when the NFL would have to share that income with players. The union says that violates a 17-year-old agreement between the two sides that the league must make good-faith efforts to maximize revenue.

An article posted on the union's website said it filed a complaint to the special master who oversees disputes between the two sides.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires in March, which could lead to a work stoppage during the 2011 season.

In a statement, the NFL noted that union executive director DeMaurice Smith said earlier this year: "My hat's off to Roger Goodell. Television is locked up until 2014 to the tune of about $5 billion a year.''

"The television contracts that the union attacked today were agreed to during the worst economy in our lifetimes,'' the statement said. "Far from failing to maximize revenue, the contracts grew league revenue to fund higher player salaries and benefits. ... The union's meritless charges, including many inaccuracies, will be addressed in the proper forum, but they are simply a distraction and do nothing to get us any closer to a new CBA.''

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