Labor Negotiations Under Way

Representatives of the league and the NFL Players Association had a labor negotiating meeting last Thursday in New York.

Union chief Gene Upshaw revealed the bargaining session in a written statement on the Players Association's website, calling it "just the first step in the process." According to Upshaw, the league was represented by owners Pat Bowlen of the Denver Broncos and Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers, plus attorney Bob Batterman.

"The NFL discussed the 32 teams' financial condition and how the CBA has caused every club to lose money," Upshaw wrote. "They are attempting to gather financial information to share with the NFLPA. We made it clear that we are willing to discuss their financial condition, but we cannot expect our players to embrace the NFL's position without the owners providing audited financial statements."

The current labor agreement between the owners and players' union allows either side to exercise a reopener clause by Nov. 8. Upshaw has said he expects the owners to exercise the reopener clause and consider a lockout of the players in 2011.

By Mark Maske |  May 12, 2008; 5:50 PM ET  | Category:  Negotiations
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Posted by: BoltsFan | May 13, 2008 1:03 PM

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