NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent out the following email earlier this evening about the unions decision as of 5pm EST today to decertify as the 7 day extension passed without a new CBA agreement.
Dear NFL Fan,
When I wrote to you last on behalf of the NFL, we promised you that we would work tirelessly to find a collectively bargained solution to our differences with the players’ union. Subsequent to that letter to you, we agreed that the fastest way to a fair agreement was for everyone to work together through a mediation process. For the last three weeks I have personally attended every session of mediation, which is a process our clubs sincerely believe in.
Unfortunately, I have to tell you that earlier today the players’ union walked away from mediation and collective bargaining and has initiated litigation against the clubs. In an effort to get a fair agreement now, our clubs offered a deal today that was, among other things, designed to have no adverse financial impact on veteran players in the early years, and would have met the players’ financial demands in the latter years of the agreement.
The proposal we made included an offer to narrow the player compensation gap that existed in the negotiations by splitting the difference; guarantee a reallocation of savings from first-round rookies to veterans and retirees without negatively affecting compensation for rounds 2-7; no compensation reduction for veterans; implement new year-round health and safety rules; retain the current 16-4 season format for at least two years with any subsequent changes subject to the approval of the league and union; and establish a new legacy fund for retired players ($82 million contributed by the owners over the next two years).
It was a deal that offered compromise, and would have ensured the well-being of our players and guaranteed the long-term future for the fans of the great game we all love so much. It was a deal where everyone would prosper.
We remain committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached, and call on the union to return to negotiations immediately. NFL players, clubs, and fans want an agreement. The only place it can be reached is at the bargaining table.
While we are disappointed with the union’s actions, we remain steadfastly committed to reaching an agreement that serves the best interest of NFL players, clubs and fans, and thank you for your continued support of our League. First and foremost it is your passion for the game that drives us all, and we will not lose sight of this as we continue to work for a deal that works for everyone.
Yours,
Roger Goodell
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Jay
March 12, 2011 at 8:50 am
This is all mumbo jumbo on Goodell’s part. To the idiotic, obtuse, beer guzzling, fat bastard fan, this looks altruistic and sentimental, even proactive. TO the knowledgeable fan who sees Goodell as opaque, it seems trite and disingenuous. Why didn’t he tell us this earlier? Why wait until the NFLPA walks away to say all this stuff. Because it makes the image happy NFL look like they tried to make it work! This is all a politically framed letter with as much sentiment as an overweight fucking groundhog trying to sleep out the winter! Goodell insults MY intelligence with a letter like this at this time. Okay, he should just keep his mouth shut and let the intelligent fans keep believing that the NFL owners are a bunch of greedy bastards—at least that way, if he allows us to believe that via shutting his damn piehole, I’ll be able to at least know they’re being genuine because they’re not trying to blow collective smoke up my ass! Anyone who “bravos” this letter oughta have their fandom revoked!