Ongoing CBA discussions

[MTK]

Can't help but think the owners are hiding something with this selective view of the financials. If you "need" a bigger piece of the pie, just open the books and prove it. The numbers don't lie. Why is that so hard to understand?

Impasse approaches regarding financial information | ProFootballTalk

[CRedskinsRule]

Andrew Brandt, who has quickly become a go to source of info for this dispute, was on Sirius with Peter King and Ross Tucker this morning. He had a very accurate answer when asked specifically why the owners wouldn't open the books.

(from my memory) He said that, basically, the books today show a healthy business, and that the owners argument is that IF the CBA as it was continued forward, than the books in 2014-5 would show a very different and very unhealthy league. He continued, saying, that the owners point of view is that they are trying to be pro-active in getting a working model, but if they open the books completely the PA would simply harp on the current state, and not look to the future state [when put in this context Jerry Richardson's outburst about the P/L statements and ratios makes more sense].

Peter King pressed ABrandt about if it was possible that some teams were simply trying to hide 50-60 million dollars, and ABrandt simply said yes.

[CRedskinsRule]

Seems like owners are trying to bring in level headed owners to get something done. Mara yesterday, today Rooney from the Steelers.

Man, regardless of side, I hope they get this thing done!

[SOUL-SKINS]

Latest update on the CBA talks now in a critical, and perilous, state.

[CRedskinsRule]

Two good articles on the "Show us the books" issue.

Show us (more of) your books! | National Football Post
by Andrew Brandt

and

NFL.com news: Union wants more financial information than NFL has offered
by Albert Breer

From Breer's article

Additionally, the NFL offered to illustrate the effect of economic conditions, the number of clubs who have experienced a shift in profitability over the aforementioned five-year period, 2005-09, and a third-party auditor to assess all information.

The union declined the offer to view the information.

According to a league source, the NFL's feeling was that it had made a major concession to reveal information on profitability that isn't even available to its clubs. The union's feeling, according to a players association source, was that it was important not to accept any offer to see additional information until it felt the information was sufficient to make decisions on how the $9.3 billion in revenue will be split up going forward, which remains the biggest issue in these labor talks.

[CRedskinsRule]

One more by Schefter:

NFL insisting union has enough financial info - ESPN

When the NFL did, the NFLPA declined to see it, a source familiar with the process told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, because it would compromise its public position on financial transparency.

The NFL's proposal, also reported by The Associated Press, included:

• audited league-wide profitability data with dollar figures from 2005 to 2009, based on individual club statements;

• the number of teams that have seen a shift in profitability in that span;

• an independent auditor to examine the data.

The league thought it was the first step in the beginning of financial transparency, but it was not transparent enough for the NFLPA.

The NFLPA declined comment when contacted by ESPN, saying it has been asked by the mediator not to discuss specific matters with respect to negotiations.

What's intriguing about these latest developments, with the NFL offering documented financial information, is the NFL provided Smith with what he has asked for in the past.

In September, Smith told WGR sports radio in Buffalo, "If there is anything wrong with this deal, if any team is losing money, if any team has lost money over the last five years, if profits are trending down over the past five years, show me and I'll change the CBA."

[SOUL-SKINS]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

One more by Schefter:

NFL insisting union has enough financial info - ESPN

So WTF more does Smith want.This guy is starting to piss me off. He asked for something the NFL said ok here look then he says no thanks still not good enough. I swear to god a deal better happen by Friday or I'm taking this into my own hands. I'll show them!!!

[Dirtbag59]

What is this "death bomb" expense? It was $76 billion last year alone?

[SmootSmack]

Sources: Agreement reached on rookie scale - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Sources: Agreement reached on rookie scale - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Well that's some progress at least.

[Lotus]

The rookie wage scale was likely the easiest issue on which the sides could agree. Nonetheless it is better than no agreement at all.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Regarding an agreement on the rookie wage scale:


1. Yes, it was one of the easier issues to resolve since the union is negotiating away some of the leverage of folks who are not members of the union at the moment.

2. Yes, any agreement on any issue more germane to a new CBA than agreeing that "night" will come after "day" is a plus.


3. However, let us continue to be rational and maintain our scorn for both sides of this mess. Remember, these guys are arguing over how to split ANNUAL revenues of $9B+ - - and that is money that comes from the fans. Realize they could still have a work-stoppage over how to split up OUR money.


Take the news of this "settled issue" positively but do not get carried away just yet...

[Lotus]

^ You are correct. While it is good to retain some optimism, the only fruit picked so far is the low-hanging variety.

[CRedskinsRule]

Bruce Allen is there again today. Actually a little concerned that our GM is spending so much of this time in these sessions. I would say at this point he needs to be back focused on our team needs, and let the NFL Exec committee and the NFLPA hash it out (or not, as the case may go)

[MTK]

I'm sure BA can handle both duties, and that's what the rest of his front office team is for.