Details of a proposed collective bargaining agreement being pitched to NFL owners Tuesday, according to sources:
• Players get 48 percent of "all revenue," without extra $1-billion-plus off top that previously had been requested by owners.
• Players' share will never dip below 46.5 percent, under new formula being negotiated.
• Teams required to spend minimum 90-93 percent of the salary cap.
• Rookie wage scale part of deal but still being "tweaked."
• Four years needed for unrestricted free-agent status. Certain tags will be retained, but still being discussed.
• 18-game regular season designated only as negotiable item and at no point is mandated in deal.
• New 16-game Thursday night TV package beginning in 2012.
• Owners still will get some expense credits that will allow funding for new stadiums.
• Retirees to benefit from improved health care, pension benefits as revenue projected to double to $18 million by 2016.
While it's great news that positive progress is being made in labor negotiations, the biggest note of interest to fantasy owners is that only 4 years of service will be needed for unrestricted free-agent status. This would increase the crop of free agents once free agency begins to include not only the players with 6 years service, but also the players with 5 & 4 years vested.
Some notable players likely effected: Ahmad Bradshaw, James Jones, Steve Breaston, Lance Moore, DeAngelo Williams, Santonio Holmes, Joseph Addai, Malcom Floyd, Sidney Rice, Michael Bush, Tarvaris Jackson, Le'Ron McClain, Zach Miller
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