PFT: Pats won't have Haynesworth for Raiders

Getty Images

At a time when a class of retired players is attempting via legal action to suspend the ability of the NFLPA to negotiate with the NFL on behalf of the league?s retired players, the NFLPA apparently intends to continue to negotiate with the NFL on behalf of the league?s retired players.

The NFLPA has sent via email a message to the former players, explaining that further discussions could be coming soon regarding the distribution of the ?Legacy Benefit,? a $620 million pool of money that the league and the players earmarked for payment to retired players.

?We are now at approximately six weeks without a written counter proposal from the NFL in response to our bargaining proposal on the Legacy Benefit,? the email, a copy of which has been obtained by PFT, states. ?We have gotten word that the group, who met with the Commissioner 15 days ago, has been given until Monday, October 3, 2011 to voice any final opinions.? We would assume that we will get a written counter proposal soon after that date.? We will keep you informed of any further developments.?

The meeting to which the memo refers involved Commissioner Roger Goodell and multiple retired players, including Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller, who is spearheading the pending litigation against the NFLPA.? Though the memo strongly implies a level of coordination between Eller?s faction and the union, it?s unclear whether any agreement as to the distribution of the Legacy Benefit will affect the retired players? claims.

In our assessment, it won?t.? The NFL already has committed to giving retired players $620 million.? Eller and other retired players claim that the NFLPA shouldn?t have the ability to negotiate on behalf of the retired players, and that the NFLPA breached its fiduciary duty to retired players by maximizing the money that would be paid to current players, at the expense of former ones.

At a time when the NFL and the NFLPA have guaranteed that football will continue uninterrupted by labor strife for a decade, the issue of retired player benefits creates another side issue that will need to be resolved at some point, along with matters such as HGH testing and the discipline imposed against players arrested during the lockout.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/01/pats-wont-have-haynesworth-for-oakland-showdown/related/

apocalypto teachers teachers alanis morissette matthew mcconaughey roy orbison chuck berry