NFL salary cap raised $1.5 million

Published 2:16 am Wednesday, February 24, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL’s salary cap will get an additional boost of more than $1.5 million per team for next season.

After the NFL Players Association won an arbitration hearing that means an additional $50 million or so will be available for teams to spend. The official salary cap has not been determined, but was expected to rise by at least $10 million from the $143.5 million ceiling of last season.

The NFL on Tuesday explained the adjustment as a technical accounting matter. But the union contends the league miscalculated or was hiding money due the players.

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The issue was whether specific revenues the league called exempt from being applied toward the salary cap actually should be counted. An arbitrator found in the players’ favor.

A new salary cap figure will be announced before the NFL’s business year begins March 9.