The rank and file of the NFLPA has slowly begun to turn on Union President Gene Upshaw.
Not all of the players have turned against Upshaw, but enough to make the next collective-bargaining agreement between the owners and the players a harrowing one.
Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover sent an e-mail to other player representatives calling for the immediate ouster of Upshaw. He called for this to be done before they sit down with the owners later this year to renegotiate the collective bargaining agreement.
That appears to be a certainty for November. It is well known that the owners are unhappy with the current agreement—which gives the players 60 percent of the revenue—and are ready to exercise their opt-out clause in November. This will send both sides back to the negotiating table.
Stover does not want Upshaw at the head of the table for the union at those negotiations in fear of the possible reduction or roll back of the players' share of the revenue.
Others, such as Tennessee center Kevin Mawae, are openly supportive of Upshaw.
Skip Bayless of ESPN has cited that the owners may be behind the release of the e-mail (which was not intended to be viewed by the public) to drive a wedge in the already fragile union.
Bayless also stated that this is the first—and maybe the beginning—of anti-Upshaw sentiments by union members. They are also resentful of the large salary he is paid ($7 million to $11 million annually, depending on who you ask).
Upshaw came under fire last year for the union's treatment of retired players. He, along with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, spearheaded an effort recently to rectify that issue by implementing new policies.
Upshaw had fallen out of favor with many union members because he is perceived to be too soft at the negotiating table, and too accommodating when it comes to the owners' initiatives. He appeared to be back in good graces with the NFLPA membership after scoring 60 percent of the revenue from the owners in the last agreement.
Now, that agreement may be rescinded. This will unfold first as an internal battle within the union, and after they settle that, they will lock horns with the owners.
Will this result in a work stoppage? Probably not, but you never can tell.
Either way, there is little chance that Upshaw will survive.
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Sebastian about 1 year ago
Hopefully the next Union President will do a little bit more for the older generation of NFL players who are left out in the cold, if for nothing more than medical needs.
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
That's a certainty...Congress had taken up the initiative to exact change in the process
from today's AP wire...
WASHINGTON -- The House Judiciary Committee intends to hold more hearings on the benefits programs for retired NFL players.
In releasing a 144-page report from the Congressional Research Service, chairman John Conyers said Wednesday that additional government intervention was needed. The committee requested the study after last summer's congressional hearing.
The report does not make specific recommendations how the league and the NFL Players Association should change their benefits programs for retirees. Citing a lack of scientific information available on the health effects of playing pro football on players' health, the study encourages the NFL and union to fund independent research, invite evaluations from neutral parties and collect more data.
"I commend the NFL and NFLPA for having taken some affirmative steps since our last hearing, but in my view they still fall short of the goal line," Conyers said in a news release. "This report identifies major concerns about the long-term health of NFL players that demand further attention. The committee intends to hold hearings and explore possible legislation to address this matter."
The NFL said in a statement, "We appreciate chairman Conyers' recognition of the positive steps that we have already taken with the NFLPA to address the medical needs of our players. Earlier this month, additional significant improvements in our medical and disability benefits took effect. We look forward to reviewing the report and to continuing our efforts to identify additional opportunities to enhance the health and safety of our players and the benefits available to our retirees and their families."
An NFLPA spokesman said executive director Gene Upshaw was in the process of reviewing the report.
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