CBA on owners’ agenda

PALM BEACH, Fla. – The NFL is almost as busy this spring week as it is staging a Super Bowl.

The agenda for the owners meetings includes discussing concerns about the collective bargaining agreement in light of the slumping economy. And a series of rules changes, including allowing helmet communications on defense. And reseeding of playoff qualifiers so a wild-card team with a better record than a division winner could host a first-round game.

Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear Monday the CBA has become a key point of discussion. Amid speculation team owners could opt out of the current deal in November – freeing the way for a 2010 season without a salary cap – Goodell emphasized the potential need to restructure the contract.

“We are doing a tremendous amount of analysis around the league agreement to understand the true impact of the deal,” Goodell said. “One thing we are starting to realize is that it has swung considerably toward the players. We’re doing our analysis to understand the ramifications of that.”

He said in today’s economy, that can significantly impact clubs.

Goodell said he will “absolutely” contact NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw before November, “and I anticipate something will happen just before the season or in the fall.”

Because the 32 teams have so much debt through loans, Goodell fears their ability to pay spiraling salaries could be compromised.

•Two AFC North also-rans, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, were awarded the most compensatory picks in this year’s draft.

The Ravens (5-11) and Bengals (7-9) each received four picks, beginning in the third round of the April 26-27 draft. Those picks are slotted at the end of each of the last five rounds.

In all, 15 teams were awarded compensatory picks. Seattle was among those receiving none.

•Indianapolis will open $700 million Lucas Oil Stadium with a prime-time game against the Chicago Bears Sept. 7 on the NFL’s opening weekend in a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl won by the Colts.

•NFL owners unanimously approved Wayne Huizenga’s sale of 50 percent of the Miami Dolphins to New York real estate billionaire Stephen Ross.

Huizenga will remain managing partner for the time being. Ross, who is spending about $550 million for his share, also is buying Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land.