NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association, speaks during an NFLPA press conference prior to Super Bowl XLVIII on January 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

ProFootballTalk is reporting that the NFLPA sent a memo to agents at the beginning of February that outlines new requirements when negotiating contracts.

Now, the union requires advance consultation before a new deal can be finalized.

From ProFootballTalk:

“[E]ffective immediately,” the memo states, “Contract Advisors are REQUIRED to contact the NFLPA Salary Cap & Agent Administration Department at the ‘beginning of substantive discussions’ with an NFL Club over any veteran RENEGOTIATION in which either the initial Club offer or the expected final NFL Player Contract has an Average Per Year (APY) of $2,000,000 or more.”

Other language in the memo suggest that it applies to all new contracts (e.g., “Contract Advisors must communicate with the NFLPA during the process of negotiating any Player Contracts with NFL Clubs, and more particularly when renegotiating veteran NFL Player Contracts”). As one source explained it, however, it applies only to renegotiations.

Of course, as with almost any changes, there is immediate concern. According to PFT, agents have already mentioned that the new guidelines will put teams in a bad spot when renegotiating contracts. Their concern is that there becomes an increased possibility that sensitive information in regards to the discussions will be shared within the union, and leaked to agents of players of the same team.

It also appeared that Dez Bryant and the Cowboys inspired the new set of requirements:

The primary intent of the provision, per a source with knowledge of the union’s thinking, is to ensure that agents won’t agree to onerous language that void trigger a voiding of guaranteed money based on relatively minor offenses like speaking ill of the team. (The source explained that, at one point last year, the Cowboys attempted to insert language voiding Dez Bryant’s deal based on that factor.)

A meeting held Thursday in Indianapolis will give all of those opposed a chance to voice their opinions or concerns. If there are legitimate concerns about potential leaks, surely this won’t be the last we hear about these new requirements.

[ProFootballTalk]

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.