The master labor agreement between the NFL owners and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) that governs all aspects of player compensation, benefits, working conditions, and league rules. The current CBA runs through the 2030 season.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement is the foundational document that governs the business relationship between NFL players and team owners. Negotiated between the NFL (representing owners) and the NFLPA (representing players), the CBA establishes the rules for virtually every financial and operational aspect of the league, including the salary cap formula, free agency rules, the draft, minimum salaries, revenue sharing, player benefits, drug testing policies, and disciplinary procedures. The current CBA was ratified in March 2020 and runs through the 2030 league year. Key provisions include a 17-game regular season (expanded from 16), increased revenue sharing for players (reaching 48% of total revenue), enhanced retirement benefits, modified drug testing policies (marijuana was effectively removed from the banned substance list), and expanded playoff formats. The salary cap is calculated as a percentage of projected total league revenue, minus certain expenses. CBA negotiations are among the most consequential events in professional sports. The last three negotiations (2006, 2011, and 2020) all involved significant tension, with the 2011 negotiation resulting in a lockout that cancelled the entire offseason program. The next CBA negotiation will begin as the current agreement approaches its 2030 expiration, and major topics will likely include further revenue sharing adjustments, player safety improvements, and the league's approach to emerging revenue streams like gambling and international games.
The 2020 CBA passed with a narrow 1,019-959 player vote. Its most debated provision was the expansion to a 17-game season, which many players opposed due to health concerns but accepted in exchange for increased revenue sharing and improved benefits.
Category: CBA & League Rules. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.