Earlier this month, the NFL won its grievance against the NFLPA over the player’s ascocoiation’s annual player report cards, in which players rate their franchise on key items such as their facilities and childcare services.
Ultimately, an arbiter ruled in the league’s favor, citing that the report cards violated the current collective bargaining agreement by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy released a statement confirming the league’s satisfaction with the ruling, per ESPN.”
“We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, upholding the parties’ collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through ‘report cards’ allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose.
“We remain committed to working in partnership with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop and administer a scientifically valid survey to solicit accurate and reliable player feedback as the parties agreed in the CBA.”
However, the NFLPA insisted that it would continue to conduct the surveys, even if the report cards couldn’t be officially published.
“The ruling upholds our right to survey players and share the results with players and clubs,” the NFLPA’s statement read. “While we strongly disagree with the restriction on making those results public, that limitation does not stop the program or its impact. Players will continue to receive the results, and teams will continue to hear directly from their locker rooms.
“Importantly, the arbitrator rejected the NFL’s characterization of the process, finding the Team Report Cards to be fair, balanced, and increasingly positive over time. Our methodology is sound. The Team Report Cards exist to serve players. That mission remains unchanged. We will continue working to ensure players’ experiences are heard, respected, and acted on – by their teams, by their union, and wherever else possible.”
True to its word, the NFLPA conducted its survey once again, and ESPN has conveniently managed to obtain this year’s results. For the third consecutive year, the Miami Dolphins have come in with the number one grade.
“Players consistently describe the organization as ‘the best in the NFL,'” the survey said of Miami.
There was, however, a newcomer on the other end of the spectrum, as the Pittsburgh Steelers came in last place for the first time in the four-year, history of the survey, one year after finishing 28th.
“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” the survey said, whilst also citing that Pittsburgh had the worst homefield in the league.
“Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games,” the survey said. “Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard.”
An NFL spokesperson declined to comment on the survey results, saying that the NFL had no knowledge of the survey.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.