NFL Labor Deal Negotiations Not a Source of Optimism for Panthers Owner

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Panthers, NFC South

Jerry Richardson, the fast food tycoon who owns 48 percent of the Carolina Panthers, held a news conference Tuesday morning and said he is not as optimistic as some people that a new labor agreement was on the horizon for the NFL.

"I'm personally not as optimistic as some are that we are making much progress," said Richardson, a former player who is the co-chairman of the NFL's labor committee.

Richardson, who was holding a rare news conference to discuss the state of affairs around his team, anticipated a question about labor strife with the players' union. He drew a big circle on a piece of paper and then cut it up as a pie to show the split in money generated by the NFL's 32 teams.

He said the new revenue generated by the game is not getting spread appropriately and also said the NFL owners have a negative cash flow of $200 million.

"One of the first things that are said to me when I meet with the union lawyers they say, "Mr. Richardson, we want more money, more benefits, and we want to work less and they say 'let's begin negotiations'.

"I'm not optimistic we're making a lot of progress."

There is a March deadline for a deal between players and the union. If there is no agreement, owners have said they will lock out the players.

 

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