This answers some questions.
The union claims there has been plenty of growth and the owners had no reason to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement that was supposed to run through 2012, but now will end after 2010. On Thursday, a union-commissioned study showed the average value of franchises has grown from $288 million to $1.04 billion during the past decade, and that teams averaged a $24.7 million profit in the last year -- even as the economy took a turn for the worse.
Goodell disputed those numbers and defended the owners' decision to opt out of the CBA, which assures players about 60 percent of the applicable revenues. If a new deal is not reached after the upcoming season, the following year would be played without a cap. The union says if the salary cap disappears, it won't accept one later.
Phone messages seeking comment from NFLPA acting executive director Richard Berthelsen were not immediately returned.