Report: NFLPA Set To Pay Players From Lockout Fund

[JetNation]

Jason La Canfora from NFL.com is reporting that the NFLPA has a plan in place that will begin paying players on April 15th.  The details, as reported by La Canfora, are as follows:

The NFLPA established the fund to help players in need, and its accounting department has begun sending out notification letters and direct-deposit slips. The letters and forms going out to players — copies of which were acquired by NFL Network/NFL.com — include information on receiving payments.

According to an NFLPA source, the maximum payments to an individual player would total $60,000, to be paid out this offseason during the lockout. The fund was created via player dues and right’s fees during 2009 and 2010. If a player was on a 53-man roster for all 34 weeks of the regular season during those two years, then he would be eligible for that maximum, $60,000 payment, which would be distributed in six projected increments.

The e-mail to players reads as follows:

“We are e-mailing you to inform you that the NFLPA Board of Player Directors approved the payout from the Lockout Fund to begin on April 15, in six installments or until the lockout ends. In order to start receiving your payments, please fill out the attached direct deposit enrollment form and return it to us with a voided check from your checking account or bank letter verifying the account information. We will e-mail you at the address that you provide on the form when payments are sent to your bank account.

“Please note that any other future payments that you may receive from the NFLPA or NFL PLAYERS Inc (for example player marketing deals or royalty payments) will be deposited into this account and you will be notified via email of the deposit.”

My take: This is a smart move by the NFLPA to help quiet some of the veteran players that may be experiencing financial issues.  At the same time what about the 1st year players from last year?  Are these players not all part of the same united group?  I have a feeling that the NFLPA will be releasing a statement of their own on this situation.

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[joebabyny]

Sooooo, the NFLPA union, which no longer exists, is paying players. AND, they started this "lockout fund" 2 years ago? Some would argue that such long term planning (as well as the coercion toward the draftees to keep them from attending the draft) might suggest the decertification is a sham.

[Smashmouth]

Sooooo, the NFLPA union, which no longer exists, is paying players. AND, they started this "lockout fund" 2 years ago? Some would argue that such long term planning (as well as the coercion toward the draftees to keep them from attending the draft) might suggest the decertification is a sham.

In what respect do you think the PA does not exist ? The players are still part of a union but its not recognized by the owners.. Right ?

[dbatesman]

Sooooo, the NFLPA union, which no longer exists, is paying players. AND, they started this "lockout fund" 2 years ago? Some would argue that such long term planning (as well as the coercion toward the draftees to keep them from attending the draft) might suggest the decertification is a sham.

Of course decertification is a sham. But there's no rule against a trade organization paying its members.

[T0mShane]

Does this mean the telethon to feed the Cromartie children is on hold?

[joebabyny]

Of course decertification is a sham. But there's no rule against a trade organization paying its members.

True, but a trade organization that started a slush fund 2 years ago as a union preparing for when they would decertify? Some could argue that the union had planned to not bargain in good faith and force a lockout going back 2 years ago.

[Bugg]

Does this mean the telethon to feed the Cromartie children is on hold?

NFLPA has a choice-feeding Cromartie's vast flock or keeping Demaurice Smith in sharp fancy man fedoras.

WTF kind of name is "Deamaurice"? The players are mostly in the right, but their "leader" is an egotistical a$$hole. Which is making this longer than it should be.

[dbatesman]

True, but a trade organization that started a slush fund 2 years ago as a union preparing for when they would decertify? Some could argue that the union had planned to not bargain in good faith and force a lockout going back 2 years ago.

Why would the players want a lockout?

NFLPA has a choice-feeding Cromartie's vast flock or keeping Demaurice Smith in sharp fancy man fedoras.

WTF kind of name is "Deamaurice"?

Nevermind the Woodhead thread. I see we're right back to coding.

[Bugg]

Why would the players want a lockout?

Nevermind the Woodhead thread. I see we're right back to coding.

Cromartie's sperm is simply prolific.

Legally the NFLPA has the upper hand, and it always will until the NFL dennounces it's antitrust exemption. The closer they get to a settlement, the closer you get to Bob Kraft,Woody Johnson and John Mara(big market onwers with big a$$ debt service on great new stadiums-ask Ecurb about this!) taking hard objects to the heads of Jerry Richardson and Bidwill Jr. and their small market/old paid off stadiums/along-for-the-revenue-sharing ride ilk to beat them into a prompt settlement.That is the core of the conflict, not owners vs. players. To keep talking gets you closer to that than decertifying. Demaaurice Smith is a Goddamn fool, because once these players miss their first game check, they will be howling. In a finite career that game check is not coming back and they know it. Smith isn't Samuel freaking Gompers or Jimmy freaking Hoffa. And the fedoras are a sartorial embarrassment.

Grow the f__ up already. Sometimes an a$$hole is just an a$$hole. And further Goodell is no better.