2020 marks the 9th agreement passed under the CBA, and it’s come with some major changes – the main one being that the season will now be 17-games long, an additional game from the previous count of 16 games per season.
In order for a proposed deal to go through, a majority of the players need to vote “yes” on it. The final vote for this proposal was 1,019 to 959, the NFLPA released in a statement. With only about 2,500 players in the union, it seems like just 79.1% of them voted on the CBA this time.
“This result comes after a long and democratic process in accordance with our constitution,” the NFLPA released in a statement. “An independent author received submitted ballots through a secure electronic platform, then verified, tallied and certified the results.”
What else is coming from the CBA?
Additionally, here are the following agreements:
An extra team will be added to the playoffs in each conference. This expanded playoff is set to begin in 2020.
The salary cap will be $198.2 million per club for 2020.
The active game day roster will be increased to 48 players from 46 players, and practice squads will expand from 10 to 12 players. Starting in 2022, that head count will increase to 14.
The annual player revenue will increase from 47% to a minimum of 48%, and a maximum of 48.8%.
How does the NFL feel?
“We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the new CBA,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commented. “Which 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 of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement.”
The new 17-game season will take effect starting in 2021. All ratified changes are scheduled to run until 2030.