NFL collusion ruling: Arbitrator reportedly found NFL, Roger Goodell encouraged teams to reduce guarantees for veterans

The NFL — with commissioner Roger Goodell's blessing — reportedly encouraged all 32 teams to reduce contract guarantees for veteran players at the March 2022 owners meeting, according to Pablo Torre and Mike Florio. That explosive claim was made by an arbitrator who oversaw a collusion grievance between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. The ruling, which was not released by the NFL or NFLPA, was unearthed by Torre, who spoke about the grievance during his podcast on Tuesday.

In that ruling, the arbitrator, Christopher Droney, wrote the following:

“There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans’ contracts at the March 2022 annual owners’ meeting.”

That suggests both the NFL and Goodell wanted teams to collude to reduce guaranteed money when handing out contracts to veteran players. Despite that evidence, the NFL actually won the grievance. Droney ruled that, despite the NFL encouraging collusion, he could not prove by a "clear preponderance" that NFL teams acted on that advice.

The meeting in which the NFL Management Council reportedly encouraged teams to collude to reduce veteran guarantees occurred right around the time the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Watson was acquired by the Browns after he did not play during the 2021 NFL season after both a trade request and being accused of sexual misconduct by over 20 women.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/nfl-collusion-ruling-arbitrator-reportedly-found-nfl-roger-goodell-encouraged-teams-to-reduce-guarantees-for-veterans-144903116.html