The future of the NFL is assured – if that can be said at all in these times. But the new collective bargaining agreement has sparked enough enthusiasm among the players for approval, probably mainly because of the Corona crisis.

The approval of the NFL players for the new wage agreement was a very tight box until the end. Just 51.5 percent of the votes cast supported the proposal negotiated with the club owners. Around a fifth of those eligible to vote did not even take advantage of their opportunity to participate.

It may even have been the uncertain world situation that ultimately tipped the scales in favour of the “yes” vote by a narrow majority. According to NBC reporter Mike Florio, several of his sources suspect this, citing the looming economic crisis and, in particular, the health hazards posed by the corona pandemic.

Stock market crash due to corona crisis opens players’ eyes
In player circles it was considered certain that the proposal would “definitely fail”. Until the new disease spread around the world and caused a historic stock market crash. As a result of this development, many professionals had become aware that a fear of an uncertain future could well become real.

If no agreement had been reached between the club and the players, a lockout would have threatened next year. No contracts would mean: no games. And therefore, in the final analysis: no money.

McManus also believes in a late turnaround because of Corona
In an interview with Denver-based 9News, Broncos kicker Brandon McManus, representing the NFLPA players’ union, answered the question of whether the Corona crisis saved the contract: “I would definitely say yes. Most of the votes were cast before, but I think at least 60 people voted only on Saturday, and that’s a turnaround.”

And that was close: In the end, there were only 60 more yes than no votes cast.