NFL, players reach labor deal

By a close vote, with some 500 union members not participating, NFL players approved a new labor agreement with the league. It features a 17-game regular season, higher salaries, increased roster sizes and larger pensions for current and former players.

The deal, which runs through the 2030 season, was accepted by the 32 team owners last month. The NFL Players Association's membership spent the last week voting on the 439-page document after its executive board narrowly rejected it by a 6-5 vote, and the player representatives voted 17-14 in favor, with one abstention.

Clearly, there was some strong player opposition to this collective bargaining agreement, though. Many stars, including Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt and Todd Gurley, spoke out against it. The total vote, among the nearly 2,500 union members who participated, was 1,019-959. Ratification required a simple majority ­— results were announced Sunday — and there could be lasting resentment among union members, given how close the vote was.

"Can't believe we agreed to that lol," Colts tight end Eric Ebron tweeted. "We can only play this game for so long and y'all didn't want everything we could get out of it? … 2030 y'all do better."

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey expressed displeasure about the turnout for voting.

"Around 500 players didn't even vote on the new CBA," he tweeted. "… It's good and bad to this deal. I could see why anyone would vote either way. I just think it's amazing guys don't even care."

Almost immediately, players were urging unity, particularly in the face of the criticism from within their ranks about approving the deal.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, not surprisingly, praised the players' acceptance of the new CBA.

"We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football," Goodell said in a statement. "We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement."

Soon after the union announced the voting results, it began discussing with the league the planned opening of the 2020 NFL business season Wednesday with free agency and trades. A delay is possible given league restrictions on travel as a safeguard against the new coronavirus.

Timing and potential format changes for the draft, scheduled for Las Vegas from April 23-25, also could be discussed.

A 17-game schedule won't happen before the 2021 season. The mechanics for an uneven number of games — neutral sites or which teams get nine home games — will be worked out in the interim.

Jaguars receiver Chris Conley posted his objections to a variety of items.

"Players voted for a 17-game season," he said on Instagram. "No extra bye week. A disproportionate pay increase that will be less than promised because of the growth of the league's revenue. No resolved player restrictions or tags. Added mandatory fines for holdouts that take an accrued season from veteran players. On top of that, this CBA cut benefits for some players in shaky medical condition."