The NFL Players Association has increased its dues as part of the plan to develop a pool of cash that would be used to keep the rank-and-file from caving like a bad souffle, if/when the owners impose a lockout.
Indeed, the Q&A memo from the union (a copy of which we've obtained) admits that the goal of the "Dues Lockout Fund" is to help the players maintain firm resolve.
"It will protect the player from being financially compelled to agree to NFL demands to decrease overall player salaries in a new CBA," the memo states regarding the fund.
Under the plan, dues will increase from $10,000 to $15,000 per player in 2009, and the dues will remain at that level through 2011.
Also, players will be required to assign their group licensing royalty payments from Players, Inc., the union's marketing arm, to the NFLPA as part of their dues obligations. The memo estimates that the payments will be $10,000 per year.
But each player will be entitled only to receive in the event of a lockout the amount of the money that he has contributed -- i.e., the dues payments plus the withheld royalty amounts. So, basically, the union is waiving dues payments for the next two years, and forcing players to save $15,000 each year, plus the amount of their group licensing royalty payments.
The union also is "directing" players to save 25 percent of their annual salaries for each of the next two years as further protection against a lockout. Guys like Vikings receiver Sidney Rice, however, realize that brand-new Maseratis are far more likely to impress the ladies than an involuntary nest egg.
Our guess? Most players won't be saving 25 percent of their salaries, and most players will fly through the $50,000 or so that will be available via the new fund. So if the players gave in only a few weeks after walking out 22 years ago, they're likely to say "uncle" far more quickly when they're being told to hit the road.
NFLPA creates "Dues Lockout Fund"
Posted by Mike Florio on September 21, 2009 2:18 PM ET
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19 Comments 
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories, Union and CBA
Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories, Union and CBA
It boggles the mind how somebody can make $1,000,000/year and live paycheck to paycheck.
Plan B will be 1-800-cash-for-gold. Just call us and we will send an envelope. Just put your gold in it and then we will send you a check for what we think it might be worth.
"players will be required to assign their group licensing royalty payments from Players, Inc., the union's marketing arm, to the NFLPA as part of their dues obligations."
How can the union have the right to force them to do that ? Those payments have to be highly structured and the amounts paid and when strictly controlled by contract. For the union to just set aside whatever rules it has now over those payments and force the players to pay them into the lockout fund does not seem right to me.
Enjoy the football while it lasts, friends. This year is going to be the last year for a while.
No wonder Donte wants his jewelry back. That is his emergency savings in the event of a lock out.
Patsfan has a point, just ask Donte Whitner.
Outstanding.
Since my favorite movie is "The Replacements" with Keanu Reeves, I'm totally stoked for the upcoming lockout.
Dude. That's a PR ploy to make the owners think they will be prepared to "make a real go of it" if they are locked out. That fund's more of a joke than the X-mas Club CD you get from the local banks. They'll hjave to do better than this PR stunt. What a joke !
That's "Dues Lockout Fund of United States" or Dufus for short.
National Football GREED!
I gotta agree with the owners in regards to player salaries.
No single player, I dont care who he is or what team he plays for should be making 100 million for 6 years, 10 years, even 20 years. Its beyond stupid!
Decrease the salaries, lower ticket prices and teams won't have to worry bout blackouts.
I can't wait to see what happens in Dallas now that they lost their "grand opening". They struggled to sell out that game, whats gonna happen if they lose more? Jerry World gonna close? Might have to sell that wide screen TV jus to make the next payment to Romo!
they wont make it more than one week
I have a question about the blackout since Twiz brought it up.
What constitutes a sellout? Apparently the Dallas stadium has a capacity of 111,000. How many of those tickets do they have to sell to not have a blackout? Apparently 22,000 of the tickets are standing tickets so I assume those don't count.
I mean, one stadium with a capacity of 65,000 barely sells out and there is no blackout. However, if the Cowboys sell 85,000 tickets, is there still a blackout?
"Guys like Vikings receiver Sidney Rice, however, realize that brand-new Maseratis are far more likely to impress the ladies than an involuntary nest egg.
Our guess? Most players won't be saving 25 percent of their salaries..."
Is there a writer out there with less respect for the rank and file players than Florio?
I hope the owners stick it to these players and stop these insane salaries for rookies.
Do you think the players can get simpathy from the public on this?
Rookie: "I've done NOTHING to prove myself in the NFL. It's my right to be paid $50 million."
I'm also SICK of this PSL racket. What a scam...and the public pays it!
I agree with mike. NFL salaries have far outpaced inflation. $5.00 popcorn, $4.00 20oz. soda, $110 per ticket, $25 parking. 8 home games = $4,760. 5% of my annual salary. The NFL is like a drug. Once your hooked, you'd do anything to get it. The NFL has the fans by the balls. BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE'LL PAY! The NFL, Owners, Players.... doesn't matter who wins, the fans will lose. Nothing will be done to control costs.
This is why we need a FANS union.
NFLFA.
Start today, send a message to both sides.
STOP BUYING merchandise. Just for the rest of this year, don't buy any officially licensed Jerseys, hats, t-shirts, etc, etc.
If you really think this is Bulls***, then do something about it. Boycott the merchandise.
Come on lockout, can't wait to se the real replacements.
Fifty G's??? How'my s'possed to live on fifty g's???
That don't even buy a decent pinkie ring.
Donte Whitner
Boys,
Here might be your first lesson in dues. Once they go up, the chances of them coming back down : slim to none.