Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

A21
SPORTS Tuesday 17 March 2020
NFL wins again

with deal players

didn't have to make

By TIM DAHLBERG panded scheduled as soon
AP Sports Columnist as the 2021 season.
More money, more jobs, ``It seems like player safety
and more for retirement. has a price tag,'' 49ers cor-
Those are the kind of things nerback Richard Sherman
negotiated in most union said at the Super Bowl.
contracts, and the union ``You know, player safety
that represents NFL play- up to the point of, hey, 17
ers got them in the new games makes us this much
deal that ties the NFL and money. So they really don't
its players together for the care how safe we are.''
next decade. Not safer than before, that's
But more work, too? Who for sure. A 17th game not
would negotiate that? only increases the chance
That's what a lot of NFL of injury to players but adds
players must be wonder- wear and tear to bodies
ing after a vote to approve that struggle to make it In this Oct. 13, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, right, catches a pass
the new collective bar- through the season intact while under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams during the second
gaining agreement barely as it is. half of an NFL football game, in Carson, Calif.
squeaked past members. Yes, players do get fewer Associated Press
The vote released Sunday practices in pads and one
revealed a deep schism less exhibition game as las Cowboys owner Jerry to resist. Indeed, owners I can see, though, how it
among players when it part of the trade off. There Jones gas up his new yacht knew what they were do- could have caused some
came to the centerpiece are more jobs — and more and party like no one had ing when they dangled just guys to change from a no
of the agreement — a 17th money — for those who ever heard of the corona- enough sweeteners in front to a yes (for financial stabil-
regular season game in ex- stay healthy and produc- virus. of players, knowing many ity)."
change for owners throw- tive. "Can't believe we agreed are more concerned with The NFL will soon begin ne-
ing a few more financial And retirees make out bet- to that lol," Colts tight end what they might make to- gotiating new TV and digi-
crumbs their way. ter, too, with larger pen- Eric Ebron tweeted. "We day than what will happen tal deals, and more billions
There's no such schism sions and more players in- can only play this game to them over the next 10 to add to league coffers.
among NFL owners. They're cluded in the pension pool. for so long and y'all didn't years. Players will get a percent-
popping champagne That's all well and good for want everything we could Then again, with a pan- age of that, so they've got
corks after getting players a union that struggles to get get out of it? ... 2030 y'all do demic ravaging the world, incentive to make a deal
to sign off on a deal that the same kind of deals that better." maybe they figured that for the common good.
guarantees their golden baseball and basketball Players didn't agree to it by even if new contracts The other incentive is that
goose remains golden for players take for granted. much. The final vote was aren't guaranteed, nothing the average NFL career
at least another 10 years. The NFLPA always seems to a razor-thin 1,019-959 for else in life is either. lasts only a few years, so
What's not to like about be playing catch-up when approving the deal, and ``I think the coronavirus they might as well grab
getting more regular-sea- it goes against hard-line some 500 eligible players probably got into some everything they can right
son games — and more owners who have beaten didn't even bother to vote. peoples' minds, definitely,'' now. Players are doing just
playoff games ( though the union down before and Hardly an overwhelming Denver cornerback Chris that in a deal they rushed
owners can impose that would not be averse to do- mandate. But for many Harris Jr. said. ``I had al- into making.
unilaterally) — for the up- ing it again. players the promise of ready voted, but I wouldn't And the NFL owners win
coming television deals But this was a deal that more money was too much have changed my mind. once again.q
that will make their billion- didn't need to be made,
dollar franchises even more at least right now. There's
valuable than before? still another year left on the
``We are pleased that current pact, and plenty
the players have voted to of time to twist the arms of
ratify the proposed new owners — even with the im-
CBA, which will provide plicit warning from on top
substantial benefits to all that this was the best they
current and retired play- could do.
ers, increase jobs, ensure And to make it for 10
continued progress on years? Didn't players learn
player safety, and give our anything from the current
fans more and better foot- contract that began when
ball,'' Commissioner Roger some players were still in
Goodell said. middle school?
Not so pleased are some That means at least anoth-
of the NFL's elite players, er decade without guaran-
who already have big sala- teed deals for most play-
ries and weren't looking for ers. Another decade with
more work. They'll be risking cheap rookie deals that for
their bodies at least one many will be the only con-
more Sunday a year when tract they ever get.
the league goes to an ex- It's enough to make Dal-