In the 2020 deal, a 17th regular season game for teams could be added to the NFL schedule during the 2021, 2022 or 2023 NFL seasons, and the playoffs will increase from 12 to 14 teams starting this season. After the owners voted to expand the playoffs on April 2, 2020, playoff-eligible teams will move from 12 teams to 14 teams, with six Wild Card playoff games instead of four and two teams instead of four bye playoffs in the first round. [32] The pre-season is shortened from four to three games in seasons with 17 regular season games. [33] The NFL and its players begin negotiations after the players win the Freeman McNeil lawsuit against Plan B. On September 10, 1992, the jury found that Plan B was too restrictive under federal cartel laws. Subsequently, the owners of the team agreed to discuss free agency for all players. [1] The NFLPA filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Reggie White, claiming that all NFL players should receive monetary damages because of the illegality of Plan B. The settlement provided for the payment of nearly $200 million in damages and was conditional on the NFLPA being merged into a union and signing a new ABC that would include the terms of the lawsuit. [11] [12] A seven-year CBA was signed in the spring of 1993, making it the first such agreement since 1987. [1] [2] [4] The new CBA offered players unlimited agency after four years in the league, subject to an exception for one franchise player per club after the first year of the new CBA. In return, the NFLPA agreed to a salary cap based on an agreed percentage of revenue. [4] The agreement had a direct impact on players` salaries and increased salaries for the 1993 season by 38%.

[4] In an outcome that will reshape the NFL and bring harmony of work for the next 11 seasons, members of the NFL Players` Association voted to ratify a new collective agreement previously approved by NFL owners in February. The NFL and the NFL Players` Association did not need a lockout or strike to negotiate a new collective agreement. Each NFL team will now play 17 games, as agreed in the new collective agreement. The NFL and the NFL Players` Association reached a new collective bargaining agreement this weekend, avoiding a possible work stoppage for at least another decade. “We are pleased that players voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide significant benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress in player safety and provide more and better football for our fans,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We appreciate the tireless efforts of the nflpa Board of Management Executive Committee members and management, both of whom have spent nearly a year of detailed negotiations in good faith to reach this comprehensive and transformative agreement.” In the last CBA, negotiated in 2011, the agreement stipulated that the player`s share should average at least 47% over the next ten years. This time, players are guaranteed to receive 48% from 2021. It can reach 48.5, which, according to NFL estimates, will bring players an increase of about $5 billion over the next 10 years. A new agreement was negotiated in 1970 after the NFLPA merged with the American Football League Players Association. [4] During negotiations for the new CBA, the players went on strike in July 1970. [4] The new agreement was reached after four days.

[3] The agreement increased players` minimum wage and changed the league`s medical and retirement programs. [4] It also provided for impartial arbitration for infringement complaints, which had already been decided by the NFL Commissioner. [5] John Mackey was elected president of the NFLPA during this negotiation,[1] and the new agreement was to cover the 1970-1973 seasons. [4] The ABC agreed in 1993 was extended in 1998 by the agreement of the players and owners […].