DALLAS (AP) — A special master has ruled on the NFL Players Association’s complaint that the league improperly negotiated TV contracts — and both sides are claiming victory.
The NFL says Tuesday that Stephen Burbank rejected the union’s request that $4 billion in 2011 TV payments to the league be put in escrow in the event of a lockout.
The NFLPA says Burbank also awarded the union damages from the league because of violations in “the NFL’s negotiation of lockout insurance in its contracts with ESPN and NBC.”
The union accused the NFL of structuring TV contracts so owners would be guaranteed money even if there were a lockout in 2011 — while not maximizing revenue from other seasons, when income would be shared with players.
The union says it will appeal Burbank’s ruling.
