With the average NFL player staying in the league only 3-1/2 years according to the NFLPA, and recent news coverage documenting their struggles to recover from injuries, the union will demand a retroactive benefits increase for retired players.
Aware of the PR disaster of appearing callous, the league could pad retirement benefits going forward, but will likely stop short of retroactive pay, which would set a troubling precedent in the league's view, Cramer says.
During previous contract negotiations, the union favored money in hand versus future benefits.
