Camp Nowhere

NFL owners will meet tomorrow to discuss the opening of training camps, as well as player pay and safety protocols. There’s reportedly no set agenda for the meeting, but owners are expected to discuss whether training camps can start on time – they are currently scheduled to begin in two weeks.

Players have expressed concern about playing as COVID-19 cases surge in several NFL markets including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami. The NFL and NFL Players Association have several decisions to make surrounding health and safety protocols, including testing frequency.

Owners and players are at odds regarding the NFL’s suggestion that it wants to classify the coronavirus as a “non-football injury,” which wouldn’t require teams to pay players. Also up for debate is whether or not players can opt-out of wearing a facemask shield, which was developed by Oakley and will be sent to all 32 teams soon.

The two parties are also discussing the possibility of holding back pay to offset potential revenue losses during the season due to not playing in front of full stadiums. While the players aren’t obligated to do so, a drop in revenue would impact the 2021 salary cap. The owners have already asked players to put 35% of their salaries into an escrow account.