NFL owners could opt out of CBA next week

[TexanSam]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3399645

NFL owners might opt out of the existing labor agreement as soon as Tuesday when they hold their next meetings in Atlanta, according to league sources.

One management source called it a "high likelihood" that the owners will exercise their option to terminate the agreement, which will trigger a number of alternatives, including a potential work stoppage by 2011. Another source said "be prepared" for the action, although it was "not a 100 percent proposition yet."

An NFL Players Association source said, "We expect it to happen."

A league spokesman said the NFL had no comment.

The decision to exercise the option is not expected to have any significant impact on the next two seasons, 2008 and 2009.

However, by opting out of the agreement that was struck on March 9, 2006, the NFL would play 2010 without a salary cap, unrestricted free agency for players would be increased from four years to six years and the orderly selection of college players in the annual draft would not exist after 2011. These "poison pills" are designed to motivate both the owners and the union to work toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

When the current CBA was agreed upon amid much acrimony between high- and low-revenue clubs, the deal included options for both the owners and players union to terminate the terms early in either 2008 or 2009. The deadline for opting out this year is Nov. 8 but league sources say many owners want to pull the trigger now.

[Ole Miss Texan]

However, by opting out of the agreement that was struck on March 9, 2006, the NFL would play 2010 without a salary cap, unrestricted free agency for players would be increased from four years to six years and the orderly selection of college players in the annual draft would not exist after 2011. These "poison pills" are designed to motivate both the owners and the union to work toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

But I love the draft! I just hope we can get some sort of order down to stop the top few draft picks from earning an insane amount of money- even when compared to perennial pro bowl players... It would also allow teams at the top to have an easier chance to trade down and rebuild their team.

[Maddict5]

i was very anti opt-out in '06 or whenever but now im not TOO concerned because something has to be done if the salary cap is too high (like its been going the last few yrs) its practically useless anyway and the rookie contracts have become stupid...

[HJam72]

A 2011 strike could stop the Texans from winning a Super Bowl.............................................. ............hey, just sayin'.

Otherwise, I agree. The rookie salaries are out of control.