The NFLPA is going through a rough moment. Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer reported on January 17 that the association has offered nearly half of its 150 employees buyouts.
The buyouts are reported to include one year of severance pay, with extra pay for employees of more than 30 years. As with many buyout plans, layoffs could be coming down the pipeline.
In the wake of the NFLPA’s moment of weakness, the NFL still plans on pushing through one of its goals, which would result in a significant change to NFL seasons moving forward.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made an appearance on Jason Kelce’s late-night talk show over the weekend, and detailed that the league was pursuing its plan to increase the regular season from 17 to 18 games.
“I would say I think we probably will because, one, I think restructuring and getting away from preseason games is a good thing; I think you guys agree with that, right?” Goodell asked the live studio audience to applause.
“And two, I think we’ve made enough changes to the game — both the offseason and during the season — from a health and safety standpoint.”
It seems as if things are trending in the wrong direction for the health and safety of the players, as an increase in the games played during the season could have significant ramifications for the wear and tear endured, resulting in more injuries and shorter careers.
It’ll be interesting to see if the NFLPA will have enough strength to push back on Goodell’s plans with any force at the negotiating table.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.