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Are you ready for 17-game regular season schedules starting in 2021? How about a 14-team playoff format starting this year?
Both are officially happening thanks to the NFL Players Association voting to ratify the proposed collective bargaining agreement, as was announced this morning.
The vote to pass the new deal, which ensures an 11-year labor agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, was passed with a mere 51.5% player majority. The official vote count was 1,019 for and 959 against. This also means that about 20% of the player base did not vote.
One source said the final player vote on the NFL's new CBA was 1019-959. It was that close.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2020
The 16 additional regular season games and two additional playoff games are the headliners in this deal and the owners got what they wanted. What they conceded was a slight increase in revenue sharing for the players (will raise from 47% to 48% with the ability to raise to 48.5% in 2021) and an increase in minimum salaries.
Along with getting a larger piece of the pie, roster sizes will increase to a clean 55, retired players will also receive added benefits and increased pension amounts, and lighter drug testing policies will be implemented.
NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell had this to say upon the CBA passing:
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football,” Goodell said. “We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”