The removal of $46 million in combined salary cap space from the Cowboys and Redskins has turned a pair of arch-rivals into partners. And there are indications that the partnership has not yet ended, notwithstanding Tuesday’s statement suggesting that the challenge to the cap penalty controversy is over.
The statement indicates that the two teams won’t appeal Special Master Stephen Burbank’s decision that the move can’t be attacked under the labor deal because the NFL expressly agreed to the cap reductions. But the statement doesn’t expressly state that the fight is over.
‘We pursued our salary cap claim pursuant to the CBA and we respect and will abide by the arbitrator’s decision to dismiss,” the two teams said. “We will continue to focus on our football teams and the 2012 season.”
Strongly implied in that statement is the notion that the franchises have folded their tents and abandoned the effort. Officially, however, neither the Redskins nor the Cowboys have responded to emails from PFT posing the simple question of whether the joint statement means that the matter has concluded.
Moreover, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the fight may not be over. Technically, that wouldn’t be inconsistent with Burbank’s decision, because he plainly stated at the end of his 12-page ruling that the teams “retain whatever remedies they may have against [the NFL] under contract and agency law.”
So until the Redskins or Cowboys say it’s completely over, it’s not completely over. And until it’s completely over, there’s a chance one or both teams will sue the NFL under theories like breach of contract and/or breach of fiduciary duty.
In other words, don’t put your popcorn away just yet.