NFL ownership agrees to new CBA terms, awaits vote by players

The NFL sent out the following statement regarding the negotiations with the NFL Players Association for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The two parties met in New York today to continue negotiations, and appear on their way to a new deal.

NFL owners appear to be onboard with the current negotiated terms. Now, the players will need to vote on the agreement. The current CBA was last ratified in 2011 and expires after the upcoming season.

Following more than ten months of intensive and thorough negotiations, the NFL Players and clubs have jointly developed a comprehensive set of new and revised tems that will transform the future of the game, provide for players — past, present, and future — both on and off the field, and ensure that the NFL's second century is even better and more exciting for the fans

The membership voted today to accept the negotiated terms on the principal elements of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Players Association would also need to vote to approve the same terms for there to be a new agreement.

Since the clubs and players need to have a system in place and know the rules that they will operate under by next week, the membership also approved moving forward under the final year of the 2011 CBA if the players decide not to approve the negotiated terms. Out of respect for the process and our partners at the NFLPA, we will have no further comment at this time.

Several changes are reportedly part of the new agreement, including, but not limited to, a switch to a 17-game regular season per team, and adding two teams to the playoff format.

If approved, the new CBA could go into effect in time for the new league year, which kicks off on March 18. It could also alter the salary cap and state of free agency, which makes its impact on the current offseason potentially significant.

H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.