Q: In a nutshell, what's all this talk about a lockout?
A: NFL owners want to pay players less and have them play more games. Players want the same amount of money for the same amount of games.
Q: What brought this potential lockout about?
A: Two years ago, NFL owners opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement, effective after the 2010 season. If they don't get a new deal done by the end of the league year, the owners can choose to lock out the players with no pay or benefits until the players agree to a different deal.
Q: Why did they do that just two years after agreeing to a CBA extension?
A: They felt players got the better end of the deal in 2006, and even players generally agree the deal was favorable to them. Players' salaries account for roughly 60 percent of total revenue, and owners want to pay them less, citing the owners' debts for stadium construction and other costs in a slumping economy. They're still making plenty of money but want a "healthier" deal to promote league growth.
Q: When could a lockout begin?
A: If a new deal isn't done by the end of the day on March 3, when the league year ends, the owners can lock out the players. The players could respond by decertifying as a union, filing an antitrust lawsuit and going on strike.
Q: What do owners want instead?
A: Primarily, they want to keep more of their total revenue for operating and investment expenses - about $1 billion off the top of total revenue - while reportedly offering players an 18 percent overall pay cut. Players would still get a 60 percent share, but it would be from a smaller pool of total revenue.
Q: What do the players want?
A: The same deal they already had. The deal really was that good for them.
Q: What happens to teams during a lockout?
A: Their TV money is guaranteed, but they can do nothing that involves players. No offseason workouts, no team meetings, no player trades, no free agent signings, no contact with players, no training camp and - if the lockout lasts into September - no games.
Q: Will there still be an NFL Draft?
A: Yes, April 28-30. Teams will draft players but they cannot sign them until there is a CBA. They can't sign undrafted players.
Q: What other issues are being negotiated?
A: An 18-game regular season is said to be a real sticking point. Owners want to add two regular-season games and eliminate two preseason games, which would generate hundreds of millions more revenue. Players argue their bodies take enough of a toll as it is. Roster limits could be increased and offseason workouts could be decreased to make it work. Owners also want an NBA-like rookie wage scale, something many players seem open to. Increased player safety is also a talking point.
Q: Will there be a lockout?
A: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remains publicly confident they will get a deal done. Most players and owners aren't as optimistic it will happen without some form of stoppage.
- David White
A: NFL owners want to pay players less and have them play more games. Players want the same amount of money for the same amount of games.
Q: What brought this potential lockout about?
A: Two years ago, NFL owners opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement, effective after the 2010 season. If they don't get a new deal done by the end of the league year, the owners can choose to lock out the players with no pay or benefits until the players agree to a different deal.
Q: Why did they do that just two years after agreeing to a CBA extension?
A: They felt players got the better end of the deal in 2006, and even players generally agree the deal was favorable to them. Players' salaries account for roughly 60 percent of total revenue, and owners want to pay them less, citing the owners' debts for stadium construction and other costs in a slumping economy. They're still making plenty of money but want a "healthier" deal to promote league growth.
Q: When could a lockout begin?
A: If a new deal isn't done by the end of the day on March 3, when the league year ends, the owners can lock out the players. The players could respond by decertifying as a union, filing an antitrust lawsuit and going on strike.
Q: What do owners want instead?
A: Primarily, they want to keep more of their total revenue for operating and investment expenses - about $1 billion off the top of total revenue - while reportedly offering players an 18 percent overall pay cut. Players would still get a 60 percent share, but it would be from a smaller pool of total revenue.
Q: What do the players want?
A: The same deal they already had. The deal really was that good for them.
Q: What happens to teams during a lockout?
A: Their TV money is guaranteed, but they can do nothing that involves players. No offseason workouts, no team meetings, no player trades, no free agent signings, no contact with players, no training camp and - if the lockout lasts into September - no games.
Q: Will there still be an NFL Draft?
A: Yes, April 28-30. Teams will draft players but they cannot sign them until there is a CBA. They can't sign undrafted players.
Q: What other issues are being negotiated?
A: An 18-game regular season is said to be a real sticking point. Owners want to add two regular-season games and eliminate two preseason games, which would generate hundreds of millions more revenue. Players argue their bodies take enough of a toll as it is. Roster limits could be increased and offseason workouts could be decreased to make it work. Owners also want an NBA-like rookie wage scale, something many players seem open to. Increased player safety is also a talking point.
Q: Will there be a lockout?
A: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remains publicly confident they will get a deal done. Most players and owners aren't as optimistic it will happen without some form of stoppage.
- David White
