21 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

https://twitter.com/...0163756032?s=21

[mdrunning]

Pretty divided vote. The stars were largely against the new deal, while the rank-and-file was heavily in favor. Didn't even go down to the 11th hour.

 

I don't want to hear any player complain about the franchise tag after this. Yes, the tag affects only a small percentage of players each season, but it's still a very pro-owner provision. To have it eliminated altogether likely would have been unrealistic, but I never saw any mention of the players even pushing for amendments to the tag, such as limiting the amount of times the tag could be applied to once in a career, much like the qualifying offer in baseball. Players hate the tag, but did nothing to at least try and have it amended.

 

The tag may not affect that many players directly in a given year, but the fact that it strips a player of virtually all negotiating leverage at a time when he's in the best position to cash in has a definite ripple effect throughout the rest of the union's constituency. That's a big deal.