In 2011, NFL owners imposed a lockout on players between March and July because the two sides could not come to a consensus on a new collective bargaining agreement. According to multiple people on the players’ side, we could be due for another one in 2021 when the ten-year agreement that ended that lockout expires.

NFL players union president and Cincinnati Bengals tackle Eric Winston recently spoke with reporters and told fans to be prepared for what feels like an eventuality based on the way negotiations have gone in the past. And when asked if he thinks the NFL will still be around in 20 years, he gave a biting, honest answer.

“Honestly I don’t care and I don’t think the guys in this locker room care whether this thing’s going to be around in 20 years because none of us are going to be playing. If these guys want to own for a long time, they can own for a long time but another work stoppage might kill the golden goose…if this thing dies out in 20 years, it dies out in 20 years.”

Separately, NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith echoed that sentiment in an interview with Albert Breer on SI.com noting that if you want to know what the future of the NFL looks like, look to the past.

“I don’t know now, but let’s look at our history. The owners do a deal in 2006 and opt out in 2008. We do a deal in 2011 with no opt outs because we like the benefits under the current deal and we didn’t want to give the owners a chance to opt out and take back the gains that we currently have…So we have a new deal where if it doesn’t get fixed you head into a certain small-A armageddon.”

Winston followed up his comments with a reaction on Twitter later in the day after catching wind of some apparent spin by the NFL.

While all of this might seem like tough talk from one side of a never-ending negotiation, they have good reason to keep the pressure up even with the next deal years away. The NFL is always going to try to strong-arm players in order to benefit owners, so there’s no reason for players not to push back whenever possible. They’ve already proven they’re willing to let the league lock them out. We might find out just how far they’re willing to go for a beneficial contract.

[WCPO]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

1 thought on “NFLPA president Eric Winston sees future without NFL football after next CBA negotiation

  1. Roger aka Bozo the Clown constantly brags about the 100 % increase in revenue. Now the players want 100 % in a pay hike in the Cap. Roger aka Bozo the Clown is not the sharpest tool in the Shed. Damn right the strike is going to happen.

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