Day 1 wrap: Fins sale...and storm clouds?
The sale of the Dolphins was approved at the NFL owners meeting Monday, but there's more pressing business ahead, John Clayton writes.
Goodell Hopes for Labor Peace
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Day 1 of the NFL owners meeting was a breezy one.
A hard ocean breeze forced security guards to close doors outside the main meeting room because the sign for the commissioner's annual address kept blowing down. Banquet managers at The Breakers scrambled all day trying to decide whether to hold an elaborate party outside or inside the hotel.
What also blew into the meeting was some change. Stephen Ross was approved as the new 50 percent owner of the Miami Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium for $1.1 billion. Current owner Wayne Huizenga was given freedom to stick around as managing partner as long as he wants, but he hinted at being a short-timer, maybe leaving after this season or next.
The persistent wind might have caused a bad hair day for any long-haired NFL players who happened to be around the hotel, but they may be able to let their hair grow a little longer. Commissioner Roger Goodell said he wanted more feedback from players and the NFL Players Association on the Kansas City Chiefs' proposal to prohibit hair from hanging to the nameplates on the back of jerseys. That extra due diligence suggests owners might table the idea until a meeting in May or later.
The competition committee has only endorsed the proposal, but it wasn't going to fully support it until it hears what owners think Tuesday when the idea has open discussion. Rich McKay, co-chairman of the committee, acknowledged the need for player feedback, which could table a vote until May or maybe even next season.
Goodell and the competition committee are pushing a new re-seeding formula for the playoffs in which wild-card teams can get home games over division winners with worse records. McKay hasn't done the lobbying yet, but he concedes he isn't certain the motion will pass. At least two AFC North teams -- Pittsburgh and Cincinnati -- plan to vote against the change, and the Ravens are leaning against it. The Browns are still deciding. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is against it. With only nine votes needed to defeat this change, it is very likely re-seeding could be planted in a voting grave by Wednesday.
Perhaps the most important long-term issue -- labor -- was also addressed. Goodell spoke to the owners about the challenges ahead for the NFL, and labor is the league's biggest issue. Owners are expected to opt out of the collective bargaining extension in November, which starts the clock ticking on future labor problems. Owners believe the current system doesn't work. Two years ago, at the threat of losing the salary cap, owners endorsed a CBA extension that favored the players, but it's eating into the owners' profit margins.
Goodell said Monday his goal is to work feverishly between now and November to come to a resolution with Gene Upshaw and the NFLPA. It won't be easy. For that to work, the union would have to surrender "givebacks" to the owners, and that's rare in labor negotiations.
The Broncos laid off eight front- office employees. NFL Films laid off 21 workers. Reports have surfaced that NFL teams have accumulated as much as $9 billion of debt, in part because of many of the new stadium deals.
On Monday, the winds were blowing off the Atlantic, but the sun was out. Still, Goodell must worry about the storm clouds ahead, which is why he's spending his time meeting with owners and mapping out strategies. This trip to The Breakers is a business trip. Everyone knows that.
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- Schefter: On teams already looking to 2010
- Rumors: Kris Brown may be done in Houston
- Tools: PickCenter | Game Predictor
- Draft: Mel's Big Board (11/18) | NFL draft blog
