It’s amazing to me how time flies. It’s been almost 33 years since the 1987 NFL strike happened and was first announced by the NFLPA.
It was a turbulent time that left football players and fans alike in shock. On the 17th of September, 1987, players went on strike because they wanted a greater say in the NFL’s collective bargaining and increased benefits, and due to the league’s refusal to negotiate with the NFLPA.
It’s kind of crazy to think that a whole 24 days and three close games of the regular season were lost that season due to the strike. The teams that had the most notable losses during this strike, however, were the Minnesota Vikings, who had 48 players fail to show and were forced to forfeit a few of their first few games.
Players, who were teammates just a few days before, found themselves on opposing sides during this strike. Performers, who were fans in the stands just weeks before, were now talking to the press about the strike and their opinion on it. It was a confusing time with more questions than answers.
Undoubtedly, the lack of a regular season games caused a drop in overall attendance and made people very uneasy in what was already a high-stakes situation. It seemed like the entire season would be a wash. But, the truth is that the 1987 NFL strike actually ended up being one of the shortest in history, lasting just 24 days in total.
I must say I was actually really impressed with how organized the NFLPA was during this time. They executed their strike with a grace and dignity that was quite impressive for that time period. Even more remarkably, many of the demands that players made during the strike ended up being met, like more benefit opportunities, better pensions, and more access to collective bargaining.
In the end, I think we can all be thankful that the 1987 NFL strike lasted such a short period of time.
***
The players had a lot of demands but the main one was the idea of free agency. The NFLPA told the league it would accept nothing less than full free agency rights for the players.
The idea of a free agent was unheard of, and the idea of players being able to choose where they wanted to play was downright revolutionary. But, the NFL did not want to budge, and so the strike continued. The NFL owners held a hard line and refused to concede any ground, claiming that free agents would make the league uncompetitive and act as a drag on their wallets.
Players weren’t satisfied with this, and so the strike went on for another few weeks and into the beginning of October. Fans, both in the stands and at home, began to worry if there would be a season at all.
The union’s stated goal was to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that included better salaries, better pensions, and more benefits. But, after weeks of negotiations, it appeared that the two sides were far apart and an agreement seemed unlikely.
However, on October 15th, the two sides managed to reach an agreement on the issue of free agency. This finally ended the strike and the regular season resumed on the following week.
***
It was a huge victory for the players, and the effects are still felt today. Not only players, but coaches, trainers, and team physicians were helped thanks to the changes in the new collective bargaining agreement.
The 1987 NFL strike also saw the beginning of new evaluation tools for players. For the first time, the league was able to employ a standardized set of measurements and tests which could be used by scouts and coaches to find and evaluate potential players.
This is in contrast to the traditional methods, like guess-work and word-of-mouth scouting. With the standardized tests and metrics put in place during the NFL strike, teams are now able to approach the game of football with much more certainty.
Additionally, the 1987 strike was also an important turning point for the league’s National Football League Players Association. The event showed players that they could have a say in how the league is run, and it helped the union to become a more powerful force.
And, thanks to the 1987 strike, the league still manages to respect and care for the players, because while the Owners win the current battles, the players won the NFL Strike War.
***
Not only did the new collective bargaining agreement help improve player rights and put the NFLPA in a better negotiating position within the league, but the strike also helped create a more diverse league overall.
The 1987 NFL strike brought about the opportunity for African American players to be able to compete and play in the NFL and helped to level the playing field within the league. This is something that players from previous generations were unable to do.
The league is filled with more players from a wider range of backgrounds and experiences now than before, and that’s in large part thanks to the 1987 NFL Strike.
***
The 1987 NFL strike also saw the beginning of revenue sharing between teams. This meant that the teams in smaller markets could compete in addition to the teams in larger markets. The teams in these smaller markets can now invest money in better facilities, higher salaries, more scouts, teams physicians and trainers.
The overall quality of the game was taken to a higher level thanks to the revenue sharing. It also meant that teams in lower markets would no longer be disadvantaged in the bidding for talented players.
Nowadays, the NFL is a business filled with successful teams of all sizes and market sizes. The investment and revenue sharing that came out of the 1987 NFL strike indeed helped teams at all levels and changed the landscape of the NFL for the better.
***
Besides the major demands I mentioned before, the 1987 NFL strike also saw the implementation of a salary cap. The owners implemented this measure to increase competitive balance among teams, and also to help ensure profits. It helped them manage and control their financial circumstances better.
The salary cap limits the amount of money teams can spend on players’ salaries and helped to foster parity within the league. This was an issue of particular importance to the union and players which, resulted in a better NFL and more opportunities for players.
The implementation of the salary cap not only gives teams the opportunity to be competitive, but it also protects players and ensures that they’re not taken advantage of by teams. Players are no longer subjected to unfair and disproportionate salaries, and are compensated more fairly.
***
Just as importantly, the 1987 NFL Strike saw the implementation of drug testing. This was a major issue which had not been addressed until that point.
Drug testing is necessary to ensure that players are receiving all the medical treatment that they need for any injuries or long-term problems. It also helps to protect the players and helps ensure that they remain in good physical condition.
Additionally, drug testing helps ensure that the game remains fair and that there is no performance enhancement for those taking drugs. It’s an important issue that was finally addressed thanks to the 1987 NFL strike.
***
The 1987 NFL strike really brought about a great deal of change in the league, and it’s still felt today. The players were successful in achieving their demands and they were able to help level the playing field and create a more equal and fair league.
So, next time you see an NFL game or think about the league, be sure to remember the strike of 1987 and thank the players for their effort and accomplishment. They sacrificed so much in order to give us a better game and we owe them for their resilience and dedication to make sure the league kept its promise.