Latest news with #CollectiveBargainingAgreement
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
NHL releases the 2025-26 schedule, the last 82-game season before new CBA increases it to 84
NEW YORK — The NHL released the full 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday, the final 82-game season before the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and increases it to 84. The league's 32 teams will combine to play 1,312 games between Oct. 7 and April 16 with the playoffs to run from the following weekend through much of June. Beginning in 2026-27, there will be 1,344 games — the most in NHL history.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Shemar Stewart could still try to go back to school
Last month, we outlined the options available to unsigned Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart. One of those options has come into focus this week. Via Billy Heyen of Bud Elliott of CBS Sports recently reported that Stewart has been 'fully involved in workouts' at Texas A&M. Elliott's source said Stewart 'could try to come back and play again this season and go into the draft again next year.' The first part of what Elliott said is generally accurate. Stewart has been working out at Texas A&M. (He's not 'practicing' with the team, we're told. Then again, fall practice has yet to begin.) Part of the second part isn't accurate; if Stewart returns to school for 2025, the Bengals would continue to hold his rights through the first draft after Stewart's eligibility expires. Yes, NCAA rules would prevent a return, now that Stewart has been drafted. But many NCAA rules have failed under the weight of the federal antitrust laws. Why shouldn't a player who has never taken an NFL paycheck or signed an NFL contract be prevented from going back to school? It could be that a single letter from NCAA nemesis Jeffrey Kessler will cause the NCAA to look for the nearest bed under which to hide. If Stewart is going to do it, he needs to get started ASAFP. College football season is coming around quickly. And, as best we can tell, however, Stewart would be very interested in exploring any financial offer from A&M (or elsewhere, since the transfer portal is unenforceable, too). (Translation — any school out there that wants to explore adding Stewart for 2025 should perhaps begin to kick the tires.) While the relevant language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement isn't entirely clear on this point, it seems reasonable that the Bengals would hold his rights as the 17th overall pick in the draft. So if Stewart gets paid to play football this year and falls back to the Bengals in his same slot next year, he will have made plenty of money while still getting the money he would have gotten under his rookie deal in 2024. The only drawback is that this approach would delay Stewart's eligibility for a second contract and/or free agency. But if he's paid good money for 2025 — and if he's able to apply some pressure to the honor-and-a-privilege sorting-hat system, there's a win lurking in the one-year delay to his pro career. There's another benefit to pursuing this strategy. Once the Bengals catch wind of it, they might cave on their ill-advised position that Stewart will be the first Cincinnati player to be expected to accept more onerous language regarding the voiding of guarantees, with no corresponding concession in the negotiations. Then again, we're talking about the Bengals. Who are as cheap as they are stubborn. If they hear Stewart may go back to school for a year, the knee-jerk response could be to call his bluff.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shemar Stewart contract standoff with Cincinnati Bengals could lead to NFL Draft re-entry
Bengals first-round pick holds out over contract language Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart has not signed his rookie contract due to disputes over specific language in the agreement. The 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft attended OTAs and minicamp but did not participate in any on-field activities. Stewart's four-year, $18.94 million fully guaranteed contract represents standard rookie wage scale compensation. The dispute centers on additional contract language the Bengals want to include that differs from their previous first-round picks' agreements. Also read: Trey Smith signs $94 million extension with Kansas City Chiefs, becomes NFL's highest-paid guard Default clause creates contract negotiation impasse The Cincinnati Bengals are seeking to add a default clause to Stewart's contract that would allow the team to void future guarantees if the player encounters legal or disciplinary issues. This language represents a departure from typical first-round contracts and was not included in previous Bengals first-round picks' agreements. According to former NFL team executive Andrew Brandt, the clause would provide the Bengals flexibility to potentially exit guaranteed money obligations if Stewart faces suspension for on-field conduct, off-field conduct, arrest, or other disciplinary actions. "I'm 100 percent right," Stewart said about his stance. "I'm not asking for nothing you all have never done before, but in you all case, you all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games." Stewart's financial leverage through NIL earnings Stewart possesses unique leverage compared to previous rookie holdouts due to substantial NIL earnings during his college career at Texas A&M. The former Aggies pass rusher collected significant Name, Image, and Likeness compensation, providing financial stability that allows him to extend contract negotiations without immediate financial pressure. Live Events Also read: NFL Millionaires' Club: Meet the top 5 richest stars of all time - Check full net worth This financial position represents a shift from traditional rookie contract negotiations, where players typically needed signing bonuses quickly due to limited personal resources. Stewart's NIL earnings enable him to maintain his negotiating position without compromising his financial security. Multiple options available to Stewart Stewart has several strategic options if contract negotiations with the Bengals fail. Under Article 6 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he could re-enter the NFL Draft in 2026 if he remains unsigned and does not play football in 2025. The re-entry process would make Stewart eligible for selection by any team except the Cincinnati Bengals. He would have until the Tuesday following Week 10 to sign his rookie contract or forfeit his 2025 playing eligibility. Trade request and college return possibilities Stewart could request a trade from the Bengals, though any rookie trade must occur at least 30 days before the regular season begins. The deadline for such transactions falls around August 5 or August 8, depending on CBA interpretation. A more controversial option involves Stewart's potential return to Texas A&M for his senior season. CBS Sports college analyst Bud Elliott reported that Stewart has been working out at Texas A&M this summer and could consider returning to college football. "A guy who has had some good A&M stuff in the past, he hit me, he's like, 'Hey, Shemar might end up back here,'" Elliott said. "'He's been at College Station, he's been fully involved in workouts, He's holding out from the Bengals, (the) relationship is toxic. He could try to come back and play again this season and go into the draft again next year.'" Also read: NFL legend's son commits to Notre Dame; here's what you need to know about Devin Fitzgerald NCAA rules prohibit drafted players from returning to college football, but Stewart could pursue legal action to challenge these restrictions. Impact on Bengals defense and season preparation The Stewart holdout compounds the Bengals' defensive concerns alongside Trey Hendrickson's absence. Both the team's 2024 sack leader and their projected pass rush complement are sitting out team activities. Cincinnati's defense ranked among the NFL's worst units last season. The potential absence of both Stewart and Hendrickson during training camp could further compromise defensive preparation and early-season performance. Joe Burrow addressed the holdout situation's impact on team preparation. "Of course," Burrow said when asked if Hendrickson's absence was a distraction. "Last year, we had two. This year, we have one. So we do have less. You'd love to have none, but that's life in the NFL." Historical context and precedent The Stewart situation represents the most contentious rookie contract standoff since Joey Bosa's 31-day holdout with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016. Bosa's holdout remains the longest by any rookie since the 2011 CBA implementation. Also read: Cardi B's new clues hint at breakup with NFL star Stefon Diggs just one month after going Instagram-offici The Bengals have historically maintained firm positions in contract negotiations, often resulting in extended holdouts and training camp absences. Previous negotiations with players like Ja'Marr Chase have created similar disruptions to team preparation and early-season performance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals' Shemar Stewart takes unprecedented step toward returning to Texas A amid contract holdout
With each passing day, there's a bit of a stronger feeling that Shemar Stewart may somehow wind up not playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. The first-round pick from Texas A&M is holding out due to specific language demands in his contract negotiations that aren't being met. Advertisement And now, CBS Sports reporter Bud Elliott has shared that Stewart is back in College Station working out with his former Texas A&M team. There's the idea that he might go back to school and enter the draft again next year. "It may not be legal yet, but then again, everything in the NCAA is subject to litigation," Elliott said. "I didn't know you could do this. I knew you could do this in baseball... I don't know why you could do it in baseball but not football. You probably have to go to court." MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote about this earlier in the offseason, too. Florio, though, shared a specific passage from the Collective Bargaining Agreement that essentially suggests Stewart could go back to school but then would still be considered a Bengals draft pick after the season. Advertisement Here's that Florio breakdown: "This is something that we contemplated during the 2025 draft both as to quarterback Shedeur Sanders and quarterback Quinn Ewers — Stewart could try to return to college for the upcoming season. Even though it would require an actual or threatened legal battle against the NCAA, the rule that prevents a player who has been drafted but who hasn't signed an NFL contract from returning to college football could be susceptible to an attack under the antitrust laws. "Somewhat surprisingly, the CBA contemplates the possibility that a drafted player will instead go back to college. Here's the language, from Article 6, Section 6: 'If any college football player who becomes eligible for the Draft prior to exhausting his college football eligibility through participation is drafted by an NFL Club, and returns to college, the drafting Club's exclusive right to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with such player shall continue through the date of the Draft that follows the last season in which the player was eligible to participate in college football, and thereafter the player shall be treated and the Club shall have such exclusive rights as if he were drafted in such Draft by such Club (or assignee Club).' "In English, this means that, if Stewart returns to college football in 2025, he'd be treated as a draft pick of the Bengals in 2026. Which means that he wouldn't be permitted to re-enter the draft next year." This would certainly be unprecedented by Stewart, and if he pulls it off, it could set a wild new trend that would change college football and the NFL Draft forever. At this point, that may just be what happens. MORE NFL NEWS:
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Kelly: Jonah Savaiinaea and other second-round picks can create NFL necessary change
Jonah Savaiinaea's football conditioning, mastery of the offense, playbook and his technique are critical to the Miami Dolphins' success in 2025. Dolphins management traded a significant amount of resources to move up 11 spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to select the University of Arizona offensive lineman early in the second round with the intent of making him one of the team's two starting guards. His development is a major story line of training camp, which technically begins Tuesday when the rookies report. But unfortunately for the team, a healthy Savaiinaea might be forced to sit out days, if not weeks of training camp because the versatile and athletic lineman plays an important role when it comes to the NFL's future, and its workforce's multidecade push for contracts to become fully guaranteed. First-round picks are typically the only players in the NFL who have their entire contracts fully guaranteed at the initial signing. That has been the case since 2011 when the Collective Bargaining Agreement changed, and subsequently drastically reduced the rookie salary scale. However, two of the 32 second-round picks had their entire rookie deals guaranteed this year, and agents around the league (and the NFLPA if they smarten up) intend to create a domino effect that possibly changes how the NFL does business. If each 2025 second-round pick holds out until his four-year deal (which is worth $7.1 million for the last pick (64), and $11.8 million for the 33rd pick) is fully guaranteed then that becomes two of the seven rounds of the draft that have their rookie deals guaranteed. And maybe in the next year or two it will become the third-rounders, and the year or two after that the fourth rounders, and so on and so on. Football is the most popular profitable, and brutal American professional sport, and ironically it's the only one where the contracts players sign aren't guaranteed. But what most people don't know is that there isn't any Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) language that makes NBA, NHL and MLB contracts guaranteed, it's just the way those sports have done business over time, and it eventually became the culture of those leagues. That's what needs to happen to football, and there's no better time than now considering collegiate NIL contracts are steadily soaring (SEC starters reportedly earn at least $800,000 based on agent sources). We will soon get to the point where college football teams might be offering a player projected as a second or third-round pick more money than the NFL, which pays rookies a signing bonus based on the round they are selected in, and a $840,000 base salary this season. Coincidentally, that base salary goes up based on playing-time incentives for young players not drafted in the first or second round because they aren't eligible. That might explain why former tight end Durham Smythe was nearly making double what Mike Gesicki was earning in the fourth year of their rookie deals when they came from the same draft. The difference was Smythe was a fourth-round pick, selected two round behind Gesicki. The prevalence of guaranteed contracts in the NBA, MLB and NHL are largely produced by the demand for these top athletes, rather than a specific mandate in CBA language. But NFL owners, and the people who work for them on behalf of the team, are dead set against this, especially since the NFL has the largest workforce. The league was actually caught colluding against that workforce to prevent guaranteed salaries based on an independent investigation recently done. This past decade only two quarterbacks received full guaranteed contracts. Minnesota gave Kirk Cousins one in 2018, and Cleveland gave Deshaun Watson the second in the five-year, $230 million renegotiated deal he got after the Browns traded for him in 2022. An independent investigation found that NFL owners and management colluded to ensure that nobody followed Watson during the offseason Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, because a free agent in 2023, and nobody but the Ravens bid on his services. And what was the NFL's punishment for these collusion findings? A slap on the wrist, maybe. Nothing will ever change until a select group of NFL players and their agents take a stand, and this might be that time. Maybe missing the team's starting guard for the first month of training camp will force the Dolphins to eventually cave on their collusive efforts. After all, we're haggling over guaranteeing $2.4 million more of the $11.3 million Savaiinaea is expected to earn during the next four years. Keep in mind that NFL owners haven't taken a financial loss in decades, and the salary cap has nearly doubled from a decade ago when the cap was $143.3 million. It has risen by $135.9 million in a decade, to $279.2 million which means each team's profits have doubled as well since the cap is based on profit sharing. And that's annually. We're at the point where Dolphins owner Steve Ross has reportedly turned down a $10 billion offer to sell his franchise, and sports holdings, which he initially paid $1.1 billion for in 2009. Talk about a return on an investment! So crying poverty isn't the right approach, especially to player advocates like myself, who can name two dozen players I've covered since 2007 struggling with endless medical issues they developed from playing this brutal sport. At some point something has to give if the NFLPA wants to create change, inching toward guaranteed contracts for its workforce. This is up to the teams and agents to figure out, but at some point the NFL has to negotiate in good faith, which would be a complete about-face of how they've done business for 50-plus years. Hopefully Savaiinaea and these 28 other second-round picks are willing to become the 32 players who create the necessary change by sidelining themselves, holding out.
