Something for the next collective bargaining agreement.
It expires in 2008. There could be some very interesting changes in the
NFL .
According to Gene Upshaw..........
The goal is to have an agreement by the end of the 2006 season. Otherwise, under the current deal, the 2007 season will be played without a salary cap, with no guarantee of reinstating one after that season. That could wreak havoc on the future of a league whose strength is creating an even playing field for all 32 teams, regardless of market size.
An agreement could hinge on the owners accepting a drastic change in how revenue is defined. Currently, the league shares its "Designated Gross Revenues" (DGR) with the players. DGR does not include money from sources that aren't shared among teams, such as luxury suites.
Upshaw said the union now wants to share in "Total Football Revenue" (TFR), which would include money from all revenue streams.
Surprisingly, the owners haven't slammed the door on the idea, according to Upshaw. The top eight revenue-producing teams are balking, he said, but haven't taken a hard stance.
At the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, "We have a long way to go in getting a consensus among the owners."