A powerful NFL executive group, with commissioner Roger Goodell’s approval, encouraged teams to collude in the name of decreasing guaranteed dollars in veteran contracts, according to a report made by an independent arbitrator and unveiled Tuesday by “Pablo Torre Finds Out.”
The arbitrator, Christopher Droney, dismissed the arbitration of the NFL Players’ Association “in its entirety” earlier this year. But Droney noted that the NFL Management Council – which negotiates with the players’ union and other entities on behalf of the 32 owners – “encouraged 32 member Clubs of the NFL to reduce guarantees in future contracts with players at the March 2022 annual meeting.” The clubs, however, did not engage in collusive conduct, the report found.
Both the NFL and NFLPA declined to comment when reached Tuesday by USA TODAY Sports. The ruling had been kept a secret until Torre published his findings on June 24.
The March 2022 meeting at the center of the arbitration claim took place not long after the Cleveland Browns traded for and signed quarterback Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million over five years.
According to the report, eight owners, Goodell, high-profile player agents, Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson testified at a hearing held by Droney over 10 days in New York last summer.
