Splitting up $9 billion with the hired help can’t be an easy thing to do, so maybe NFL owners weren’t entirely out of line when they voted to approve a new agreement with players and summarily declared labor peace was finally at hand.
That it seemed to come as a surprise to the players themselves soon will become a moot point. Despite tough talk to the contrary, there’s no way players who are about to begin missing some substantial paychecks will vote down a contract nowhere near as draconian as was feared when owners first put up padlocks and declared they would change the way the league does business.
Millionaire players will still get their millions, though Cam Newton and other rookies will take a haircut in their contracts. There’s an attractive injury protection clause and the prospect of guaranteed medical coverage for life.
The idea of an 18-game regular-season schedule has been put aside for now. And, perhaps best of all, players will get more time off during the offseason.
Aside from getting guaranteed contracts — something the owners would rather shut down the league than offer — the players didn’t come out too badly. The percentage of revenue they get will go
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