The National Football League has been given the green light by their players to go ahead with their proposed CBA.
There had been some heated opposition by some players not wanting to play more matches in a season. However the NFL Players Association on Saturday voted 1,019 to 959 in favor of the CBA.
There are around 2,500 players in the NFLPA, so an estimated 79.1% of the players took part in the vote
According to the agreement, the CBA will come into play in 2021 and will run until 2030.
Ratified by the NFL owners in February, the new deal will see the number of games in a season increased from 16 to 17.
Extra team in each conference playoffs
It will include the addition of an extra team in each conference for the play-offs. The 14-team playoffs would have the top seed earning a first-round bye while seeds No. 2 through to the No. 7s would play in the Wild-Card Weekend.
The expanded playoff is expected to begin in 2020. The salary cap will be $198.2 million per club for 2020. Higher minimum salaries will also come into play.
The active game-day roster will grow from 46 to 48 players and practice squads will also be increased. Padded practice sessions during training camps, on the other hand, will be cut from 28 to 16.
“This result comes after a long and democratic process in accordance with our constitution,” the NFLPA said in a statement.
Ballot verified by independent author
“An independent author received submitted ballots through a secure electronic platform. They then verified, tallied and certified the results.”
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the new CBA,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a separate statement.
“It 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.
“We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership. Both devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”
The NFL’s 101st season is set to kick-off on September 10, 2020. It will be hosted by Super Bowl LIV Kansas City Chiefs.
Our statement on the CBA vote: pic.twitter.com/3pXydLLQ9c
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 15, 2020