New NFLPA Director DeMaurice Smith Weighs In On The NFL Labor Situation
April 27, 2009 – 6:41 am by Bunk
Previously a trial lawyer at Patton Biggs, DeMaurice Smith has his first NFL Draft as the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association under his belt. Smith, who was hired away to fill the vacancy left by former director Gene Upshaw’s sad passing, is going to be thrust into the spotlight in the future when the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement comes to a close and a potential labor strike is in play.
One of the many contentious issues surely to be discussed down the road will be rookie pay, which of course is relevant at the moment with the arrival of a new crop of NFL rookies after this weekend’s draft. Let’s listen to Smith, who joined WFAN in New York to talk about the ley of the land in the National Football League.
On the CBA and the potential of an uncapped year in 2010:
“In my mind, and in the player’s minds, we want a deal done as quickly as possible. I’m happy to say that Mr. Goodell and I have sat down and had a number of great conversations. We’ve talked about the process of reaching a new deal. And you know what guys? I’d be a little nervous if we didn’t have a place [Radio City Music Hall] that was packed with fans. I’d be a little nervous if we didn’t have 32 million people watching this draft today. But the fact is we do. We’ve got people who love this game. We’ve got people who want to play the game. I’m confident we’ll get a deal done.”
On out of control rookie pay for rookies who haven’t proven a thing on the field:
“Look, there’s isn’t a day when I’m not in touch with the fans. The question I get from the fans when they do ask questions about things like rookie salaries is – there isn’t a person in America who doesn’t know the fact that GMs make a decision about who they’re going to pick. The teams make a decision about how much they’re going to pay for it. I know you guys know, the last time I checked, I don’t sign my own paychecks. My guess is y’all don’t sign your own paychecks. Somebody makes a decision you two guys are the best in the business and how much we’re going to pay you. Well you know what, there’s no difference here.”
Listen here to DeMaurice Smith, new NFLPA director on WFAN in New York
