Sports media is taking a page out of the NBA’s book, taking a hiatus from the annual owners meetings.
And for a good reason: The owners are concerned about the effect it could have on players’ health and well-being.
A report from The New York Times’ Eric Lipton says the league will be hosting a meeting on players staying off the field for a full week from Sunday, Jan. 23, to Monday, Jan, 25.
Players won’t be allowed to return to work until the first week of February, which means the players have a full month to prepare for the break, according to the report.
The teams also aren’t allowed to schedule any player activities during the week.
The owners also said players won’t receive medical treatment or be allowed home until the last week of January, the last day of the regular season, which is also the final week before the season opens.
The report comes after players have been complaining about a lack of medical care, and it appears the owners are willing to take the extra step.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in Atlanta on Wednesday to attend the league’s owners meetings, and the league is expected to announce the first two owners meetings in two weeks.
The owners will meet again on Friday to discuss the league-wide medical policies and procedures.