On Tuesday, Mike Florio and Pablo Torre dropped a major report accusing the NFL of collusion that’s already causing plenty of controversy.
The star of the show?
A 61-page document showing the ruling made by Arbitrator Christopher Droney in the collusion grievance filed by the NFLPA. In it, testimony from NFL Commissioner
“There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans’ contracts at the March 2022 annual owners’ meeting,” Droney wrote in the report.
Droney notably concludes the “NFLPA did not prove that there was an implied collusive agreement or any expert evidence (. . .) for the NFLPA to meet its standard of proof.”
Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones mentioned by Giants owner John Mara
At one point of the ruling, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones are named by Giants owner John Mara as an example while arguing the notion of collusion was “absurd.”
Mara was one of eight NFL owners to testify behind closed doors. He was quoted as saying:
“Just the thought of me calling Jeny Jones or somebody and asking him not to guarantee Dak Prescott’s contract or somebody else’s contract—I mean, they—he would laugh at me. among other choice words, I’m sure.
“Just the whole notion is ridiculous. We’re out there to win to win games, and we’re going to do whatever we can to improve our own teams. And if that means give more guarantees, we’re going to give more guarantees. It doesn’t always work that way, unfortunately. Sometimes, guarantees end up hurting you in the end but you have to make your own decisions. And the thought. that I’m going to be influenced by what another owner is saying to me is just absurd.”
– John Mara
Though Prescott and Jones are only mentioned as a hypothetical example, Mara’s comments are important to understand the controversial approach Florio and Torre are taking when covering the document. The NFL Management Council and Goodell himself might’ve tried to disuade teams from fully guaranteeing deals to quarterbacks, but that doesn’t represent proof owners colluded.
The NFL-wide allegations are likely to be a talking point for weeks to come, though not much is expected to happen following the ruling’s conclusion on the league not colluding.
