18 Game Season backed and virtually approved

SmashMouth · 08-25-2010, 05:02 PM

ATLANTA -- NFL owners didn't vote to approve an 18-game regular season at Wednesday's Special League Meeting, opting instead to discuss options to propose to the NFL Players Association and business partners.

The "enhanced" season was the key topic on the table and something to which NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the 32 team owners pledged "overwhelming support."

"From our standpoint, we think we've moved this concept along," Goodell said. "There's a tremendous amount of momentum for it."

Added New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft: "I really think that going to the 18-game season is critical to us getting a labor deal (with the NFLPA). There aren't a lot of ways in this economic environment that we can generate incremental revenues, and that's the best way. The other thing is, our fans have said loud and clear to have fewer preseason games. It's a win-win all around."

La Canfora: Offseason effects
The NFL could adopt an 18-game schedule as soon as 2012, and players might not start workouts until May instead of March to allow more recovery time, Jason La Canfora writes. More ...
Goodell said the owners are formulating a comprehensive proposal to present to the players' union, but the lack of progress in collective bargaining likely will preclude an 18-game regular season from taking place before 2012. The proposed augmented schedule would be part of a new CBA, currently being negotiated between the league and the union.

"We want to do this the right way and make it good for players, fans and the game in general," Goodell said about not using current rules to simply implement games, which owners could.

"I look at this as an opportunity to create an agreement that will be good for players, good for the league and take our league to the next level," Goodell added.

Goodell said there wasn't a timetable to make a proposal to the union, but he envisions something happening "rather quickly."

NFL Videos: 18-game season a reality?

read more here

08-25-2010, 05:02 PM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,477 Blog Entries: 29	18 Game Season backed and virtually approved ATLANTA -- NFL owners didn't vote to approve an 18-game regular season at Wednesday's Special League Meeting, opting instead to discuss options to propose to the NFL Players Association and business partners. The "enhanced" season was the key topic on the table and something to which NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the 32 team owners pledged "overwhelming support." "From our standpoint, we think we've moved this concept along," Goodell said. "There's a tremendous amount of momentum for it." Added New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft: "I really think that going to the 18-game season is critical to us getting a labor deal (with the NFLPA). There aren't a lot of ways in this economic environment that we can generate incremental revenues, and that's the best way. The other thing is, our fans have said loud and clear to have fewer preseason games. It's a win-win all around." La Canfora: Offseason effects The NFL could adopt an 18-game schedule as soon as 2012, and players might not start workouts until May instead of March to allow more recovery time, Jason La Canfora writes. More ... Goodell said the owners are formulating a comprehensive proposal to present to the players' union, but the lack of progress in collective bargaining likely will preclude an 18-game regular season from taking place before 2012. The proposed augmented schedule would be part of a new CBA, currently being negotiated between the league and the union. "We want to do this the right way and make it good for players, fans and the game in general," Goodell said about not using current rules to simply implement games, which owners could. "I look at this as an opportunity to create an agreement that will be good for players, good for the league and take our league to the next level," Goodell added. Goodell said there wasn't a timetable to make a proposal to the union, but he envisions something happening "rather quickly." NFL Videos: 18-game season a reality? read more here Attached Images