‘Nobody needs to play an 18th sport’ in common season

NEW ORLEANS – An 18-game NFL common season isn’t a slam dunk.

NFLPA govt director Lloyd Howell pushed again on it Wednesday although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has overtly talked about it as if it’s inevitable.

The 2 sides haven’t had formal discussions about increasing the season, which might require renegotiating the collective bargaining settlement.

“Their aspect hasn’t raised it, we definitely haven’t raised it. … Any commentary outdoors of a proper negotiation is simply commentary,” Howell stated. “It’s a gamers’ resolution as to what they’ll comply with do or not. Proper now when I’ve talked to gamers during the last two seasons, nobody needs to play an 18th sport. Nobody. Seventeen video games, for lots of the guys, is just too lengthy.”

In fact, the gamers’ union would need the league to make a number of concessions with the intention to comply with an 18th sport.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a linebacker for the Lions and NFLPA president, wouldn’t specify what the gamers might want in return.

“It wouldn’t be honest for us to talk for everybody,” Reeves-Maybin stated. “There’s 1000’s of fellows and we haven’t been deep sufficient into the dialog.”

Gamers are anticipated to need extra money, one other bye week, amendments to the offseason calendar, enchancment of taking part in surfaces, a bigger roster and way more. Break day between video games, particularly worldwide video games, is one other difficulty.

“It doesn’t matter what Roger says, you open up that CBA and we’re going to get into subject surfaces, we’re going to get into security, we’re going to get into numerous issues,” Howell stated.

Distribution of income will likely be a serious level.

“If I’m asking my work pressure to work extra, it’s not so simple as I’m gonna fall again on the income cut up that already exists,” Howell stated. “There are such a lot of dimensions that cling off the size of the season.”

Many gamers felt the NFLPA ought to have extracted extra concessions throughout the newest labor negotiations so the 2020 CBA solely handed by a slim margin of votes, 1,019 to 959.

Below the present CBA, the gamers’ share of league income elevated from 47% to 48% beginning in 2021. A “media kicker” that went into impact with the 17-game regular-season schedule grew that share to 48.5% primarily based on a rise in income from the league’s new tv contracts. The utmost quantity the gamers may’ve reached was 48.8%. They’re going to need not less than 50% so as to add one other sport.

“This time of 12 months, the coaching room is fairly full,” Texans quarterback Case Keenum stated. “Quite a lot of us are struggling to get our our bodies proper. I do know most of my teammates don’t really feel regular till July when it’s time for one more season.”

Goodell stated Monday there’s “numerous work to be achieved” earlier than the NFL presumably may increase to 18 video games.

“If we do, 18 and a couple of may be a chance,” he stated. “We all know followers love soccer they usually need extra soccer. However we’ve to be extremely delicate and sensible with the stability and the way we cope with that.”

Goodell stated adjustments the league has made when it comes to tools, and coaching within the offseason and preseason have helped cut back the variety of concussions and different accidents, making a further sport extra palatable.

“I’d say even simply the considered 18 video games makes me cringe, personally talking,” Commanders working again Austin Ekeler stated. “Like for me, my ankles as a working again, it takes a couple of months to heal up after the season.”

The present CBA runs by way of the 2030 season however the two sides may comply with amendments anytime.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl