The NFL and the NFL Players Association on Sunday announced the approval of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement after players voted to ratify the deal in a vote that ended over the weekend.
The new CBA will extend through the 2030 season.
Some of the major aspects of the new deal include an expansion to a 17-game season as early as 2021. The preseason will be cut down from four to three games whenever the 17-game season is implemented.
The deal also includes a 14-team playoff schedule, which could go into effect as early as 2020. In the new format, the top seed in the AFC and NFC will get a bye while the other six teams would all play in the first round.
The players' share of league revenue increases in the new CBA, and the size of in-season rosters will expand from 53 to 55. Practice squad rosters also expected to expand.
On Sunday morning, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released the following statement:
"We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football. We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement."
The NFL Players Association also released a statement:
"NFL players have voted to approve ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement by a vote tally of 1,019 to 959. This result comes after a long and democratic process in accordance with our constitution. An independent auditor received submitted ballots through a secure electronic platform, then verified, tallied and certified the results."
