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SPORTS Saturday 22 February 2020
Union committee rejects NFL labor deal; player reps to vote

By BARRY WILNER eligibility, and reduced off- eventually to 14, probably
AP Pro Football Writer season and preseason re- by 2022. There would be
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL quirements as pivotal parts more flexibility for protect-
players' union executive of the deal. ing practice squaders from
committee voted 6-5 Friday Those people spoke to The becoming free agents.
to recommend rejecting Associated Press on condi- Suspensions for a positive
the terms of a labor deal tion of anonymity because- test for marijuana likely
approved by NFL owners specific details of the provi- would end, except for
the previous day. sions in the agreement that cases of tampering with a
The owners' proposal fea- would run through 2030 are test. But doctors appointed
tures a 17-game season, not being made public. by the league and union
shorter preseason, larger Objections to an expand- would have the ability to
rosters and limits on the ed regular season are con- recommend players sit if
number of international sidered the main stumbling they are not under treat-
games. It will next be voted block for player approval. ment or are at risk if they
on by the 32 player repre- An expansion of the play- suit up.
sentatives. Even if they re- offs to seven teams in each A major point of conten-
ject it, the union is expect- conference, with only the tion when the current
ed to bring the plan to the top seed in the AFC and agreement was reached
entire membership. NFC getting a wild-card in 2011 following a 4 1/2
If the NFLPA does not ap- bye, can be instituted by month lockout was Com-
prove the terms, the cur- the league without any ne- missioner Roger Goodell's
rent collective bargaining gotiations — as long as the role in discipline. Should
agreement, which expires postseason remains in a these terms be accepted
in March 2021, would re- four-week format. Several by the players, a neutral,
main in effect and further owners are strongly in favor jointly appointed hearing
talks would be required. of doing so regardless of officer would make find-
The union's executive com- the CBA status. Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, front, leaves after NFL ings on off-field issues and
mittee includes NFLPA Pres- One of the wild-card week- owners meet to discuss a proposed labor agreement, Thursday whether the actions vio-
ident Eric Winston, former end games might wind up Feb. 20, 2020, in New York. lated the league's personal
Giants linebacker Mark as a Monday night contest. Associated Press conduct policy. Those find-
Herzlich and former Bills The 17-game schedule ac- ings would be binding, but
linebacker Lorenzo Alexan- tually is a compromise offer Most team schedules will stead of five — and a limit a player could appeal —
der, all retired; Giants long for some owners who want- have nine home games on joint practices. with Goodell making the
snapper Zak DeOssie; 49ers ed 18 games. and eight road gamesin al- There would be no extra final decision.
cornerback Richard Sher- Adding the one regular- ternating years. bye week in the regular The terms contain substan-
man; Patriots tight end Ben- season match would seem The preseason would be re- season, something that tial changes in a variety of
jamin Watson; Colts kicker to indicate each of those duced from four games to had been discussed. How- fines for violating club rules
Adam Vinatieri; Chargers games would be at a neu- three, not counting the Hall ever, teams would basical- to provide a scaled pricing
tackle Russell Okung; Saints tral site. of Fame game that starts ly have two weeks to pre- discipline system. A maxi-
punter Thomas Morstead; But the league has prom- the exhibition schedule. pare for the season opener mum fine could not be ren-
Buccaneers linebacker ised the union to cap the Training camp padded with the elimination of the dered until a third violation.
Sam Acho; and Giants number of international practices would be re- fourth preseason game. Significant boosts in pen-
safety Mike Thomas. games and that there duced from a total of 28 Rosters would expand from sion for retired players and
Several people familiar would not be a full week of to 16. A five-day acclima- 53 to 55, with 48 players active ones also are pro-
with the terms say they fea- such contests. More likely is tion period would precede able to dress for games vided in the contract. There
ture increases in minimum a continued mix of games summer practices. There rather than the current 46. are provisions for bringing in
salaries, changes in prac- in England (and other Eu- would be more days off Practice squads would go players who are not getting
tice squad makeup and ropean sites) and Mexico. during camp — eight in- from 10 players to 12 and pensions, too.q

Yeshaneh sets world record in half

marathon in Nike shoes

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Brigid Kosgei, the mara- sponsored by other com-
Arab Emirates (AP) — Aba- thon world record holder, panies have no chance
bel Yeshaneh set a world also broke Jepkosgei's time of competing in key rac-
record in the women's half while finishing second be- es, such as the upcoming
marathon on Friday in the hind Yeshaneh. Olympics.
latest breakthrough by ath- Since 2018, the men's and World Athletics cleared
letes wearing high-tech women's records in both athletes to keep using
Nike shoes. the marathon and half Nike Vaporfly-style shoes
The Ethiopian runner won marathon have all been last month, even though
the Ras Al Khaimah Half broken by athletes in Nike it warned that rapid ad-
Marathon in 1 hour, 4 min- shoes. The Vaporfly range vances in shoe technology
utes, 31 seconds, knocking uses thick foam soles and threaten "the integrity of
20 seconds off the previous a carbon plate to allow the sport." The shoes meet
record set by Joyciline Jep- athletes to use their energy new World Athletics rules In this Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 photo, Nike’s Air Zoom Alphafly
kosgei in Valencia in 2017. more efficiently. on sole thickness and a re- Next% running shoe is displayed at the Nike 2020 Forum in New
"I didn't imagine this result," The shoes have prompted quirement to be available York.
Yeshaneh said. concerns that athletes for any athlete to buy.q Associated Press