NFL, Union Negotiations Threaten Next Football Season
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Imagine no football next fall. It's a real possibility since negotiations between the league and the players union aren't going well. The impact will be much more than just depressed fans.
Kai Jackson explains the ripple effect this would send across the state.
NFL games are full of body jarring, teeth grinding hits. It's the gladiator sport fans love. But the popular sport might be cut short if players and owners can't agree on a new contract.
At issue is $8.5 billion in revenue, and players want a bigger cut.
The owners want two additional season games. Many players don't, and players want a rookie salary cap.
An NFL lockout would have a great economic impact, especially in football hungry cities like Baltimore, where fans come to bars to gobble up every quarter of the action.
"People who work at the stadium selling food and stuff would not be able to work. A significant number of those 2,800 jobs will be lost, at least temporarily, during the season," said Michael Frenz, Maryland Stadium Authority
It's estimated that Maryland would lose $3.8 million if the Ravens didn't play.
The current agreement between players and owners expires on March 3.
"That's gonna hurt not just us, but the state of Maryland," said Joshua Barron, bartender. "That's money out of our pocket, out of the restaurant's pocket and out of the state."
NFL negotiation discussion was canceled again Thursday, and no new talks have been scheduled.
