2011 CBA Talks to Begin Soon--Finally!

As the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the Players Association grows closer, so does the the possibility of the an NFL work stoppage (its first since 1987). The current CBA, negotiated in 1993, has been extended on several occasions (most recently in 2006, at which time the CBA was extended through the 2012 season; that extension also gave both sides the option to shorten the agreement by one year). Approximately three months prior to the start of the 2008 NFL season, all 32 clubs voted unanimously to opt out of the current agreement by one season; a decision that affected the salary cap situation for the 2008 & 2009 seasons, may lead to an uncapped 2010 season and eventually a full NFL "lock-out" at the start 2011 season (unless a new CBA is signed). Considering the popularity as well as the enormous amounts of revenue generated by the NFL, most would think that both sides would want to come to terms on a new agreement as quickly as possible; but for the most part, it has been surprisingly quiet. Fortunately, per Yahoo! Sports, labor discussions between the two sides is planned to begin within a month, hopefully leaving enough time for the two sides agree upon a new CBA, thus avoiding any work stoppage and kicking off the 2011 season on time.

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