NFL, NFLPA extend deadline for filing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 8, 2010 -- NFL, NFLPA extend deadline for filing.


The NFLPA along with the NFL extended the deadline for the NFL players association to file a collusion grievance against the league's owners.

"The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to extend the deadline for players to file a collusion claim," the two sides said in a joint declaration Tuesday. "This agreement does not inhibit the NFLPA from filing a collusion claim at a future date. We continue to work on a new cost-benefit analysis that will be beneficial for players, owners and fans."

Another deadline has not been announced and NFLPA spokesman George Atallah wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press that he was " legally constrained "from revealing the new deadline.

The NFLPA has been assembling a case, since only one of 216 restricted free agents were signed to an offer sheet during the offseason, union sources have said.

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith is reviewing the case that has been collected by his legal team and was expected to authorize a collusion filing with the Special Master by Wednesday's deadline.

The Wednesday deadline was dictated by the current collective bargaining agreement. The december 8 deadline was established within 90 days after the regular season opener, which was September 8th.

Although many specifics were not disclosed, union sources admit that earlier reports of a collusion case center on the lack of activity with the 216 restricted free agents, which number has quadrupled in size due to the uncapped year rules in 2010 . The union has collected what it considers similar dialogue with a variety of teams exspressed in communicating with agents who represented the players, a source said.

Saints running back Mike Bell was the only restricted free agent to sign an offer sheet. The Philadelphia Eagles acquired his services i when the New Orleans Saints declined to match the offer.

While Bell's signing represented less than 1 percent of the restricted free agent class in 2010 compared to 2009 is debatable, since only four of the 55 restricted free agents, or 7 percent, has been signed to offer sheets with no change in terms.

Jeff Pash, the NFL football's vice president of legal counsel/labor and the point man, has previously stated that the uncertain future of the labor in 2011 accounted for the lack of restricted free agent activity.

The union's collusion charges, if filed, contain other elements of what it considers illegal activity, says a source.

For daily NFL Football news, videos & so much more.. Visit: NFL i shop.com

football     football nfl     nfl     NFL football     NFLPA     sports     the NFL players association