NFL owners will not be able to limit the salaries of players for the duration of the next five years, a statement from the league’s executive vice president of football operations said.
The statement is in response to a petition that was filed by the Players Association.
The union argues that a cap on salaries would limit how much players can earn and prevent them from signing with more than one team.
The players also want to see teams keep their salary cap limits intact, though some of the owners are not sure what those limits would be.
“The players and their association have filed a petition with the League to establish a cap-and-trade mechanism to ensure players and owners can continue to have maximum access to their full revenue streams during this time,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement.
“This petition was filed without the League having a meaningful opportunity to provide input.
The League will consider the petition if the owners object and the owners vote to allow the team owners to exceed the cap.
If the League determines the petition is in the best interest of players and the League, the petition will be considered.
The NFLPA continues to be in touch with owners regarding the petition and we look forward to working with them in a manner that protects the health of our players and provides the players the opportunities to sign long-term contracts.”
A league spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The league has previously said it would like to see players work for free and that the owners have the right to limit their salary.
The petitioners have called for a salary cap to be placed on all players.
The owners and players have not agreed on how to proceed.
The commissioner’s office said in August that it was working on a new proposal to establish salary caps that could be put into effect in 2018.
The next scheduled meeting of the league owners is scheduled for June 12 in New York.
