Collusion, depends on how you read it

[tsylvester]

Shady talks did happen behind closed doors.

In what is being hailed as a monumental reveal, an independent arbitrator wrote there is “little question” the NFL management council, with the blessing of commissioner Roger Goodell, “encouraged” teams to reduce guarantees in NFL contracts during a 2022 owners meeting.

However, the arbitrator of the 2022 lawsuit by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) alleging collusion by the league and its owners ruled there is not evidence to verify that collusion occurred.

“There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veteran’s contracts at the March 2022 annual owner’s meeting,” the ruling reads, as revealed by reporter Pablo Torre.

“However, the evidence did not establish a clear preponderance that the Clubs agreed to do that or participated in such a scheme. There are many Clubs whose only connection to his proceeding is the attendance at the Owners’ meeting, and the expert evidence of aggregate and average changes in various measure of spending, guaranteed and otherwise, is not sufficient, even when considered with the other evidence presented, for the NFLPA to meet its standard of proof.”

........

“While the NFL Management Council encouraged the 32 members Clubs of the NFL to reduce guarantees in future contracts with players at the March 2022 annual meeting of the Club owners,” Droney wrote, “the Clubs did not join in such a collusive agreement and did not act in accordance with one as to the three quarterbacks named in the initial arbitration demand or to other veteran players.

“Accordingly, I dismiss the arbitration demands of the NFLPA in its entirety.”

https://nypost.com/2025/06/24/sports/nfl-encouraged-collusion-in-shocking-reveal/

[papasmurfbell]

So Roger advised them not to do it.  Much like with getting rid of the tush push.  

[tsylvester]

Yep, shady stuff behind the scenes