Our collective bargaining solution

Image via Wikipedia

We have been giving some thought to the current NFL labor negotiations and the absurdity of it all when you consider how wildly successful the league has been. Unfortunately its foolish to think that the people representing the union and the league will act in reasonable and rationale manor.

The average human can not easily separate rational thought from their emotions and the world is filled with plenty of average people. The same people who negotiate labor agreements, international trade pacts or mergers and acquisitions are just as average as the rest of us when it comes to dealing with emotions.

The best solution is to bring in an objective 3rd party arbitrator.  Well, Draft Nuggets is stepping up to the plate.

Our proposed starting points:

Rookie wage scale

All draft picks will be slotted into a 3 year contract based on their draft order (similar to the NBA). The total salary pool for draft picks will be derived from the current years salary cap.  Additionally, there will be provisions for contract incentives for players that quickly and consistently outplay their contracts based on playtime and performance. (Advantage League)

Salary Cap

Hard cap @ 50% of gross league revenues. (Advantage League)

Unused Salary Cap

Any unused salary cap maybe accrued and used to offset remaining pro-rated signing bonuses for cut players (EVEN)

Conduct Policy

Tougher standards and punishments for violating conduct policies (Advantage League)

Salary Floor

Hard floor equal to 95% of the hard cap, an increase of 7.5% over the 2009 salary floor and 5% above the level it would have reach under the terminated CBA by 2011. Any team below the floor will pay a tax of 110% of the difference to the union. (Advantage Players)

Restricted Free Agency

After 3 years, all players will be become restricted free agents and will be eligible for salary arbitration. Teams will be compensated with draft picks for any players lost before their 4th or 5th season. This will be the end of franchise tags! (Advantage Players)

Unrestricted Free Agency

All players become eligible for unrestricted free agency after 5 seasons. (Advantage Players)

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

After the 2nd completed season of a 3+ year contract, any player with 5 or more seasons of service will have a window of time (before the team may decide to cut the player) to opt-out of his contract. At which point he must return a pro-rated share of his signing bonus. (Advantage Players)

Our Rationale:

The current system is not very efficient in matching the best performing players in any given season with the best salaries for that season. Our proposal will limit compensation for unproven players while given great players more opportunities to earn a salary that commensurates with their performance.

Tagged as: fantasy, Free agent, National Basketball Association, National Football League, NBA Salary Cap, NFL, Salary cap, Sport