The answer may be a slotting system, but as NFLPA President Kevin Mawae states, if the players give in on a slotting system, the owners better be giving something back in return. The other major issue I see comes in the debate over what percentage of overall revenue the players should be entitled to. NFL players currently receive roughly 60%, amounting to a total of $4.5 billion each year, leaving owners about $4 billion. Mawae says that no matter what the issues are, the players remain united around Gene Upshaw (has the disunity subsided?).

Some other issues that are being discussed include: G-3 funding for stadiums, better benefits, easier access to treatment for retirees, pensions, bigger salaries, and guaranteed contracts. To be honest, I have always wondered how the owners get away with giving players these fake contracts that have little to no guarantee. Sure, football is a dangerous sport full of major contact on the human body, but shouldn’t that actually play as a strong point for guaranteeing a contract? If a player is going to give his all every Sunday, should he not be compensated for putting his life or future ability to walk in danger? Why do baseball and basketball players have their salaries guaranteed but football players struggle to get a small portion of their contract deemed as “guaranteed money”?

Most likely, the retirement and pension issue will get pushed to the side like it always is, in favor of talking about the sexy issues of revenue sharing and rookie slotting. There are many, including Leigh Steinberg, who will be upset if the NFLPA and the owners push the topic to the back of their agenda.

This NFL CBA Talk Could Take A While from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Choosing an agent, players say, can be difficult because, as former CU guard Brian Daniels of the Minnesota Vikings warned, “They’re all going to tell you what you want to hear.” – Denver Post

[Paul] Lawrence, who lives in Everett, is an agent for Maximum Sports Management in Indiana, and eight players slotted to be picked in the first two rounds Saturday are MSM clients. “I’m almost excited as they are,” said Lawrence, whose agency represents five players expected to go in the first round alone. “These are like my little brothers now. I know what the critics were saying about them and all that they’ve gone through.” - The Daily Herald

“There’s a conflict of interest at the top of the draft,” says Scott Wright, a long-time draft follower who runs the website www.drafthistory.com. Wright’s ire is focused on CAA Sports, which represents three players projected to go in the top eight or nine picks. According to the NFL Players Association, 23 separate agencies represented the first-round class in 2000. By 2007, that number was reduced by just one. This year, though, the number shrunk to just 18 agencies representing the 32 players projected to go in the first round by Scouts, Inc. - Forbes

Drew Rosenhaus begs the Bengals to Free Chad Johnson through a YouTube video. Is this smart to do right before you start talking to teams about your current draft eligible players? Is it ever a smart thing to do? I gotta hand it to Drew, though. He has quite a nice South Florida tan going on.

By the way, with the NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, and NFL Draft all occurring at the same time, it’s easy to forget about other things in life, like your momma! If you still have not purchased a gift for Mothers’ Day, you better get on it. Here is a link to Amazon’s catalog of gifts.

Agent Talk Leading Up To The NFL Draft from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

This is where things get interesting, if Jake Long and the Dolphins can not agree on a deal, it can send a ripple throughout the top 10. This is where Mr. Tom Condon will really work for his money, literally. If the two sides can not reach an agreement it will almost eliminate the chances of his client, Jake Long, going number 1, and the Dolphins will then turn their attention to Chris Long and Vernon Gholston.

If Jake Long does not sign this deal, he is making a huge mistake. Let’s assume he doesn’t sign. I believe the number 1 pick will then be Vernon Gholston. In most mock drafts people believe Gholston is going anywhere between 4-7. The money at number 1 will be far greater than that of picks 4-7. I do believe the Dolphins will contact Chris Long before Gholston, but he won’t jump on the opportunity as fast as Gholston. Chris Long knows if he doesn’t go 1, he’ll go 2. Gholston just has a lot more to gain by taking the Dolphins offer than Chris Long.

Back to big Jake. If he doesn’t take the Dolphins deal there is a realistic chance he drops to number 5, which will cost him millions. In the end I believe Condon and Long get the deal done, making Jake Long the number 1 pick.

First To Sign, Is The Winner from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules