FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-21                     4/18/98

FRANCHISE PLAYER RULES FOR 1998 REVISED AS TRANSITION TO EXTENDED CBA

 The negotiated change of compensation for exclusive-rights Franchise Player CHESTER MC GLOCKTON of the Oakland Raiders was implemented by agreement with the NFL Players Association as a one-time transition to the revised Franchise Player rules in the extended CBA. The terms for McGlockton were similar to the negotiated change of compensation for non-exclusive Franchise Players ROBERT SMITH of the Minnesota Vikings and TED WASHINGTON of the Buffalo Bills that was announced on February 26.

The changes were the result of a new rule in the extended CBA that guarantees the one-year tender offer of Franchise Players. The NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association agreed to revised compensation levels for 1998 Franchise Players, who were named in mid-February prior to the new extended CBA rules.

The need for one-time transition arrangements for 1998 Franchise Players was reviewed with the league’s membership at last month’s Annual Meeting.

It was announced on February 26 that both Minnesota and Buffalo retained the right of first refusal and draft choice compensation to Smith and Washington, respectively. If either club elected not to match an offer sheet made to these players, the compensation would be the offering club’s second-round selection in the 1998 or 1999 college draft (at the offering club’s option).

It was also announced at that time that Minnesota and Buffalo would each receive an additional high compensatory pick – commensurate to the contracts signed – should the players receive an offer sheet and either Minnesota and Buffalo decide not to match the offer sheet. The compensatory pick would have been in one of the first three rounds of the 1998 or 1999 draft.

Both Smith and Washington subsequently re-signed with their original teams.

On April 13, the Management Council informed NFL clubs of an agreement with the NFLPA on the rules affecting McGlockton and seven non-exclusive Franchise Players.

The change in compensation for McGlockton meant that if the Raiders elected not to guarantee his tender offer, they could match an offer from another team received prior to 11:59 PM EDT Thursday and keep him, or not match it and receive the new club’s second-round pick in 1998 and a compensatory pick after the first round in 1998 (31st pick).

The negotiated changes were approved by the NFL Management Council Executive Committee, consisting of HAROLD HENDERSON (Chairman), NFL Management Council; MIKE BROWN, Cincinnati Bengals; LAMAR HUNT, Kansas City Chiefs; JERRY JONES, Dallas Cowboys; WELLINGTON MARA, New York Giants; JERRY RICHARDSON, Carolina Panthers; and DAN ROONEY, Pittsburgh Steelers.