Players Vote Unanimously To Approve New CBA; NFL Lockout Over
FOXBORO (CBS) - The league's first work stoppage since 1987 is now over after player representatives for all 32 teams voted unanimously to approve the new collective bargaining agreement, NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said.
The framework on a deal was agreed upon Sunday, leaving Monday's vote as a formality. Still, the vote ensures that the NFL is back in business, beginning almost immediately.
CBSSports.com obtained a letter sent to player agents from the NFLPA, which lays out the schedule of NFL events over the next few days:
July 26 -- Team facilities will be open for voluntary training, conditioning and classroom instruction.
Teams can sign their drafted players, as well as undrafted free agents.
The trading of players can begin.
Teams can negotiate, but cannot sign or give offers sheets to their own unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents and franchise players.
July 28 -- Beginning at 4 p.m. ET, teams can begin to waive or terminate players.
July 29 -- Unrestricted free agency begins July 29 at 6 p.m. and clubs can begin signing players -- their own or other teams' players. No payment can be made to players until a CBA is signed.
Aug 4 -- The league year can begin no later than today.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche reports
The lockout began back in March and last about 4 1/2 months.
WBZ-TV's Joe Shortsleeve has more
The new CBA has no opt-out clause for players or owners, meaning there will be guaranteed peace between the sides for 10 years.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones has reaction from local businesses
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The previous CBA contained an opt-out clause, which owners exercised before the 2010 season.
According to NFL.com's Matt Pomeroy, teams will open training camp from Wednesday through Saturday:
Wednesday: Broncos, Cardinals, Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Seahawks
Thursday: 49ers, Bengals, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Falcons, Lions, Redskins, Saints, Steelers.
Friday: Bears, Bills, Browns, Colts, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Rams, Titans, Vikings.
Saturday: Jets, Texans
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose wife Myra passed away last week, apologized to fans for the lockout.
