Silence from NFL and NFLPA After Collusion Ruling: What It Means for Players and Fans

The NFL and the NFL Players Association kept a significant ruling under wraps for over five months. Now that it’s out, both parties are oddly silent. The NFL hasn’t commented, and neither has the NFLPA.

This silence makes sense, though. The ruling isn’t exactly flattering. It suggests that meetings among team owners might actually be about collusion, instead of healthy competition. The judgment reflects poorly on both the Commissioner’s office and the Management Council, showing that their attempts to encourage a united front among owners didn’t work.

For instance, after a key meeting in March 2022, the once-rare fully guaranteed contract of Deshaun Watson didn’t spark a trend among other teams. That suggests that team owners aren’t as unified as some might believe.

System Arbitrator Christopher Droney accepted the denials from those caught in the act, making the situation appear somewhat lenient. Many are left wondering if Droney’s decision was correct.

What’s even more surprising is the NFLPA’s lack of response. They had a chance to showcase a significant win against collusion, but chose to remain quiet. This ruling shows that, at the very least, the league tries to collude.

In recent years, allegations of collusion in sports have grown, with players often feeling that contracts are unfairly influenced by team owners. A 2022 survey indicated that nearly 60% of athletes believe team management colludes to limit player earnings. In light of this ruling, those sentiments feel even more justified.

As this story unfolds, it will likely continue to generate discussion, especially during the quieter offseason when fans crave any news to grab onto.



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