There has been much credit given to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, Panthers owner Dan Richardson, Raiders owner Al Davis and many others for the extension of the collective bargaining agreement. And all probably deserve it.
But no one deserves more credit than NFLPA president Gene Upshaw. He did an outstanding job in getting a contract done that is an incredible upgrade for his players. Not only did he craft a proposal that flew, but Upshaw also played his negotiating hand perfectly, telling owners to get a deal done or forget about it. He helped empower Tagliabue by suggesting revenue sharing concepts in his proposal.
Players all over the NFL should be popping corks on champagne bottles. They get a bigger piece of the revenue pie, a salary cap that's $10 million higher, the ability to prorate bonuses over five years, increased health care benefits, limits on the lengths of rookie contracts, improved terms of franchise and transition tags, and they don't have to worry about a 30 percent rule.
Of course, the deal is good for the NFL, too. It will help lower revenue teams remain competitive in a new climate, and it won't penalize higher revenue teams unreasonably for their ambition.
Upshaw has a tough job. He needs to have credibility, wisdom, work ethic, courage, integrity and backbone. In these negotiations, he showed all of it.
Well played, Mr. Upshaw.
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