Report: NFL proposes 35% of player salaries be held in escrow during season
The NFLPA informed its board of representatives Tuesday that the league proposed 35% of player salaries be held in escrow this season to help manage costs in case revenue is impacted by the pandemic, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The union reportedly maintains any such deal should be collectively bargained.
"Basically, we told them to kick rocks," NFLPA executive Don Davis told players on a conference call, according to Pelissero.
Many of the league's superstar players spoke out against such a proposal.
Lol everyone will sit out and not play until they get their stuff together before we do this π https://t.co/cqOuQfQvr8
β Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 7, 2020
Bro what?!? πππ https://t.co/uvqpgEnJ8A
β Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 8, 2020
Has to be a joke lol πππ. Roger and those owners better use their billions and put it in escrow or plan accordingly. Our health is way more important. This is about as backwards as it gets ππππ₯΄ https://t.co/Egq2RaYsuO
β Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 8, 2020
The two sides are also at odds over the use of coronavirus-related face shields on helmets, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post. The NFL wants them to be mandatory, but the players' association wants to only encourage use during training camp and evaluate them via testing and feedback before the season.
Face shields are already a popular item among collegiate programs.
NCAA chief medical officer Brian Hainline: βEvery single person on that sideline should be wearing a mask or a face shield. Every single person.β
β Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) July 6, 2020
So Schutt quickly developed a helmet face shield, and 50+ schools have ordered it before even trying it out: https://t.co/k5PpxFBqiR pic.twitter.com/RcZRr8rOPH
The NFL and players' association have recently disagreed on other COVID-19 protocols ahead of the 2020 season. While the league reportedly plans to shorten this year's preseason to two games, the union is against having any August contests at all.