NFL owners and players yet to reach agreement – deadline extended 24 hours

I don’t know about you, but this whole CBA deadline for the owner’s and player’s of the NFL to agree on is giving me headaches. Thursday afternoon, the two sides agreed on a 24 hour extension to allow for future talks on Friday. The good news is that there appears to be progress. And while a solution may not be made in 24, 48 or even 96 hours, the two sides are edging closer.

The current NFL collective bargaining agreement was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. tonight and essentially shutting out the players from team facilities. No running, weight training or conversing with team personnel on team property.

I do believe a lockout is coming, and may be in place for a couple of months. But the players and owners have to be crazy to delay football season and miss out on billions. There is too much at stake for both sides not to come to an agreement. Something is going to happen, it’s just a matter of time.

The NFL is the most popular sport in the U.S. and they are having their most successful decade in history. And don’t forget, the last Super Bowl was rated the most-watched program in U.S. history.

The biggest sticking points are with 1) dividing profits evenly between owners and players, 2) an 18 game schedule 3) taking care of the retired players and 4) rookie compensation.

There have been rumors in the media that the union was planning to decertify today. With the help of big name players Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees, the players were talking about filing an antitrust suit against the NFL should no agreement be in place. That seems a bit pre-mature but certainly a step players have looked into.

Again, I can’t see anyway the season is delayed or temporary players are brought in. Super Bowl XLVI will be a go. This is a mega-power and a billion dollar league. As the most popular U.S. sport and atop the television ratings, the two sides are going to come to an agreement.

Until then, a lockout is not surprising—especially because of the numerous players that have reached out to training facilities in preparation.