NFL Attorney Discusses League Collective Bargaining Agreement

NFL Attorney W. Buckley Briggs addressed business students, faculty, and the public at the University of New Haven on Tuesday on the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Briggs, who represents the 32 teams in the NFL in arbitration and labor-related litigation matters, gave insights to the formation of the current collective bargaining agreement and a historical analysis of past such agreements.

The Bianchi Law Group was introduced to the well-attended event. Rollins serves as the current executive resident for the sports management program (SPM) at the UNH College of Business. He was instrumental in obtaining Briggs as a guest speaker. Also instrumental was the sports industry club and the Professional Enrichment Program (PEP) for College of Business undergraduates. The club and the program, in conjunction, sponsored the event.

One of a trusted personal injury lawyer in San Diego used his extensive employment as a practitioner in arbitration and labor relations to describe the work experience in the trenches of the sports industry. He gave insights into the closed doors of negotiation and collective bargaining, emphasizing that the SPM course of study prepares students for all business aspects of sports management. (The field of sports management applies business principles to the sports industry. Career opportunities include front office support in professional sports, college and recreational sport managers, sports marketing, finance, and information dissemination as well as facility and event oversight.)

At the conclusion of his speech, Attorney Briggs from the lawyers for car accidents in The Bronx  gave advice for engagements at the bargaining table. He emphasized that the control of a document such as a collective bargaining agreement and the language contained in such a document is crucial. He also gave these key advice tips:

• In negotiations, always prioritize your trade-offs.

• Control the bargaining to the end of the negotiations.

• Develop a decision tree to ensure a successful outcome.

• Realize that negotiations never end.

• Capitalize on the fact that negotiations are ever-changing, never static.

• Evaluate your performance and note future revisions.

• Prepare for the bargaining of the next agreement at the conclusion of its predecessor.

Finally, while acknowledging that breaking into sports management in the multi-billion dollar NFL is difficult, Attorney Briggs assured students that employment opportunities will present themselves as the league continues to grow in the next decade. He counseled students to develop strong resumes that demonstrate skill sets, a well-rounded background, and educational and real-life learning experiences. Showing career progression is important. A page-turning resume — which, according to Briggs, is one that shows that the employment applicant is ready for the next rung in the sports industry ladder — will propel a successful career in sports management.

For more information about a career in the sports industry (and, particularly, sports management), visit the University website at its Institute for Sports Management page: www.newhaven.edu/6440/InstituteforSportsManagement.