In an attempt to avoid the same shutdown we saw during the summer of 2011, the National Football League and NFLPA have agreed to meet for continued collective bargaining agreement negotiations throughout the offseason.
“Today, the members of the NFL’s Management Council and the NFLPA’s Executive Committee met to discuss negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement,” the two sides announced in an official statement, via the NFL’s official website. The League and the Union have committed to meet regularly in the coming months, which will involve staff, NFL leadership, members of the NFLPA Executive Committee and Player Representatives.”
It had previously been noted that the two sides would get together this offseason. But it’s now official.
Whether this means that the NFL and union will make substantial advances ahead of the end of the current CBA following the 2020 season remains to be seen. However, this is certainly a good initial step.
Among the biggest issues will be both the NFL’s policy banning marijuana as well as guaranteed pay for players. Outside of that, it seems like things could go swimmingly on this front.