The Cleveland Browns and every other NFL team will have one more game on the schedule this year
The NFL recently converted to a 17 game “enhanced” schedule. But the change in schedule will only diminish the product on the field.
We have all been there. We see the boss lurking around the corner. He has that look in his eye. He wants to add another responsibility to some poor unsuspecting person’s job. And we sure as hell know who it won’t be.
NFL players across the county are looking around the corner trying to avoid a lurking Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell and his owner cronies recently exercised a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that has allowed them to do one the thing everyone fears – make us work more hours.
"“This is a monumental moment in NFL history. The CBA with the players and the recently completed media agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality of the NFL experience for our fans. And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around the world.” – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell"
They have activated the “other duties as assigned” clause effectively enacting a 17 game NFL schedule. This means instead of working 16 weeks plus a bye week; now NFL players must work 17 games plus bye week. Hey, we all have to work overtime now and then, plus we get that sweet time and half pay. But NFL players don’t get time and half, instead they get their pay reduced.
New Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik Jackson ended his introductory press conference by commenting on the 17 game schedule. Asked if he had a problem with the extra game he stated:
"“I don’t have a problem with the 17th game. My problem is with the pay cut being added to 1/17th and not being added.” – Malik Jackson"
What Jackson is describing is a subtle “pay cut” the players are taking when the 17th game is added. When we have to work extra, we get compensated for that extra time. But NFL players do not. They now have to work an extra week. But their salaries will stay the same.
When a player signs a contract for 1.7 million per year. That rate was agreed upon for a myriad of reasons. One reason was that the salary cap was set based on a revenue projection that accounted for a 16 game plus one bye week schedule.
Thus the cap itself, which is used to set how much teams can pay the players, only accounted for 17 weeks of potential revenue. Now the players are playing a schedule of 18 weeks of potential revenue.
Another reason a figure is accepted is on the basis of playing a 16 game plus one bye week schedule. They were agreeing to a contract based on a 16 week plus one off week workload. So when an athlete agrees to work for an NFL team, they expect to their salary to be paid over a 1/16th ratio. A pay check for every game.
When the NFL went to 17 games, the rate at which players were paid changed with it. Now instead of receiving 16 game checks, the players will get 17 game checks. But instead of adding money to the contracts for the extra work, the NFL decided to divide that same 1.7 million over 17 weeks instead of 16. In effect, players are working more and getting paid less on a weekly basis.
If we work more, we should get paid more. So, how did the players find themselves in this situation?