Sept. 24, 2007

The NLL's imposition of an Oct. 15 deadline on the PLPA to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, as reported here on Lacrosse Magazine Online, marks the fourth major labor negotiation process between the two entities since 2000. The following timeline was compiled by LMO staff with interviews, information from the NLL and PLPA Web sites, and reports by Buffalo Business First, the Toronto Sun and numerous lacrosse media outlets. Send comments to feedback@laxmagazine.com.

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August 2000 - New NLL commissioner Jim Jennings orchestrates a three-year CBA that allows player salaries to remain somewhat stagnant, provided that the league invests profits into expansion and improvements. Unrestricted free agency is introduced.

July 31, 2003 - CBA expires.

September 2003 - PLPA balks at NLL proposal for new CBA, a seven-year deal that includes, according to the PLPA: a payment plan that started at $200 per game for rookies, with no guaranteed increase; payment in Canadian funds for Canadian players; all pay inclusive of missed work, expense reimbursement and practice pay; reduction in playoff pay; restriction in off-season play; elimination of arbitration provision; addition of third "franchise player" designation; introduction of a new "core player" designation for up to 10 players per team with more than three years of service, to be paid between $10,000 and $18,000 per season; lowering team salary cap from $305,000 to between $165,000 and $250,000; and 10 free promotional appearances by players on behalf of the league.

October 3, 2003 - PLPA convenes at its annual general meeting to dissect the league's new proposal upon expiration of old CBA. Among PLPA priorities are: satisfaction of outstanding payments to players from 2003 season (over 25 percent of players, according to the PLPA); elimination of non-dress pay; line of credit to prevent future default; and raising the team salary cap.

Dec. 6, 2003 - The PLPA declares a work stoppage after negotiations fail.

Dec. 18, 2003 - NLL, PLPA reach a "temporary" deal to play under the previous year's contract with certain changes, the most significant league concession being the elimination of the non-dress pay provision for players. The 2004 season goes on as scheduled.

Aug. 4, 2004 - After PLPA did not provide counterproposal to three different NLL proposals and did not provide any dates for negotiating sessions, NLL Board of Governors votes unanimously to cancel the season effective Oct. 2 if a CBA cannot be reached.

Sept. 10-12, 2004 - NLL, PLPA meet in Toronto, reaching a tentative accord on 14 points, subject to parties reaching an agreement on all other terms.

Sept. 16, 2004 - NHL owners, some of whom are also NLL owners, declare a lockout after failed labor negotiations with the NHLPA. The lockout would last 310 days and mark the first time a major professional sports league in North America canceled a season due to a labor dispute.

Sept. 29, 2004 - PLPA provides NLL with a proposal that, according to the league, changed its position with respect to four of the 14 points previously agreed upon.

Sept. 30, 2004 - NLL issues ultimatum to the PLPA, releasing the following statement:

"Based on the change in the players' association's positions on these issues, the NLL has concluded that the players' association is not engaging in good faith negotiations.

The NLL made its last, best and final offer to the players association yesterday. The proposal included: player salary limits increasing at a minimum of a 6-percent average over the term of the agreement; increased revenue for the players as team revenues increase; increased per diems and improved benefits; increased revenue sharing with players of league TV, sponsorship and merchandise revenues; players receiving 7 percent of any expansion revenues; establishment of an escrow fund to guarantee player salaries if any club defaults on payments; guaranteed revenue to the players' association for group licensing rights; and guaranteed percentage of clubs' revenue to be paid to players.

We have not received a response from the players' association.

Unlike the NHL situation, the NLL is not engaging in a lockout, which would leave open the possibility of resuming the season. The NLL will cancel the season with no possibility to resume operations, effective October 2, if a deal on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement has not been reached."

Oct. 1, 2004 - NLL, PLPA negotiate via video and teleconference. Sides agree that the 10 NLL teams lost an average of $300,000 during 2004 season. Only the Toronto Rock, Philadelphia Wings and Colorado Mammoth were profitable.

Owners propose a six-year deal that includes no league revenue sharing, a 6-percent salary increase per year, and no per diem for home games. Players propose a four-year deal with a 9- to 10-percent salary increase phased over four years and per diems for home games.

"I'm not optimistic at all," NLL commissioner Jim Jennings tells the Toronto Sun. "I don't think we are going to have a season."

"Am I concerned?" says PLPA president Peter Schmitz. "The same way one might be if a terrorist put a gun to your head."

Oct. 2, 2004 - NLL, PLPA reach a three-year CBA. Among items agreed upon: a 4.3-percent increase in average player salary over three-year term; revenue sharing between the league and players with respect to television, sponsorship and licensing revenues; and increased benefits in areas including worker's compensation and per diems.

December 2006 - NLL, PLPA meet to discuss league's first proposal for renewal of CBA. The PLPA declines counteroffer until further disclosure of financial figures from the league and 13 teams playing 2007 season, including expansion teams in New York and Chicago.

July 2007 - NLL sends PLPA its second proposal for renewal of CBA. The PLPA does not respond, according to deputy commissioner and former New York Titans president George Daniel.

Aug. 10, 2007 - The PLPA files charges against the NLL with the National Labor Relations Board, contending the NLL withheld lacrosse-related financial information regarding the 13 teams' parent companies, including certain NHL organizations.

Aug. 13-14, 2007 - NLL submits to PLPA its third proposal, a six-year deal, for renewal of CBA and sets an Oct. 15 deadline to reach an agreement, or it will cancel the 2008 season. "This league needs labor unrest like a hole in the head," NLL deputy commissioner George Daniel says. "These are owners. Half my guys are NHL owners. They lost a whole NHL season. They won't think twice about losing an NLL season."

Aug. 14, 2007 - The NLL files charges against the PLPA with the National Labor Relations Board.

Sept. 21, 2007 - PLPA submits counterproposal to the NLL after conducting an audit of 13 teams from 2007. Says PLPA president Peter Schmitz, "If they want to hold by their deadline, they better respond quickly."

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See Also:
Bell Tolls Again on NLL, PLPA
Mondays with Matt: Parent Trap