Current State Of NFL Lockout Explained

Smith will put an end to this when he damn well pleases.

Let’s simplify what happened today and why the NFL lockout still isn’t over.

First, the owners voted 31-0, with the Raiders abstaining, in favor of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Then, the players took a look at what the owners approved and decided not to vote.

Why?

The players took issue with two things.

1. The deal essentially forced the players to recertify as a union, which is apparently a violation of federal labor law.

2. There were reportedly other details in the version of the agreement the owners approved the players did not agree to.

“They apparently approved a supplemental revenue sharing proposal. Obviously, we have not been a part of those discussions. As you know … issues that need to be collectively bargained remain open. Other issues such as workers compensation, economic issues and end of deal terms remain unresolved,” union head DeMaurice Smith wrote in an email to players.

Had the players approved the deal, team facilities would have opened Saturday, undrafted free agents could have been signed starting Sunday and free agency would have begun on Wednesday.

All we know now is this: the Hall of Fame game between the Rams and Bears on Aug. 7 has been canceled.

So much for the end of the lockout.