I’ve been asked hundreds of times, dating back to last year, when I think a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached.
I always say the same thing: I don’t know, no one really knows, and if anyone did know, it certainly wouldn’t be me. Then I say that if they were setting an over/under date in Vegas, mid-August sounds about right.
Perhaps August 1 makes more sense.
The NFL confirmed the news that the Bucs would “host” the Bears in London this season on October 23rd, but included this major caveat:
“Should the current labor situation be unresolved by August 1, the game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Buccaneers season ticket holders will receive detailed ticket information from the club in the near future regarding team ticketing policy for this game,” the statement reads.
This isn’t a deadline for the league; they could survive without a London game. But it does provide another key date where the league will lose something very tangible if they don’t have a deal.
The amount of money lost and complications from the lockout will start to multiply exponentially as August begins and games are threatened at home and abroad.