Earlier this week, it was reported the NFL was requesting players to escrow 35 percent of their 2020 salaries to help offset the losses of not having stadiums filled this regular season because of the coronavirus pandemic. As expected, this didn't go over well within the players' union.
Saturday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the NFLPA responded with an economic counter proposal. Here was the reported response:
• No escrow of 2020 salaries
• Flat salary cap of $198.2M for 2021
• Spread revenue loss this year over 2022-2030 caps
• All fully guaranteed money paid even if games are canceled
On top of that, players are requesting a "COVID-19 Risk Stipend" which could pay players up to $500,000 if games are canceled because of the virus. The exact stipend amount would depend on at what point the games were called off during the season.
If the two sides can agree on anything, it is how neither side wants the salary cap to plummet in 2021 after the financial downfalls in 2020. The owners offered a solution with the money in escrow, but the players are not interested in going down this avenue.
There is plenty still to hash out between the NFL and NFLPA. They have another virtual meeting set up on Monday to try and hash out more details, and possibly come to terms on an agreement. With training camps set to open at the end of July, the two sides are running out of time if they want to get started on the specific start date with no delays.
As more details are released, we will have all the news right here at DKPittsburghSports.com.
