Stability takes a loss
The NFL lost a giant of the game today with the death of Gene Upshaw, Hall of Famer and executive director of the NFL Players Association. Without getting into the big picture of Upshaw's impact on the game, the timing is probably -- with an emphasis on probably -- not good for football fans. This throws a cloud of uncertainty over negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement, which are due to take place throughout the fall and winter. If a compromise is not struck by March 2009, then the chances of a labor stoppage increase, because then the league will enter the last year with a salary cap. That activates a bunch of new salary cap rules that probably make it a bit harder on both sides to reach a compromise. We'll have to wait and see who fills the void in the NFLPA leadership.
---Mark Gaughan
