NFL teams got a good bit of news Thursday when the league informed teams in a memo that the salary cap will be a minimum of $180 million — less of a decline than originally projected.
The league has not set the 2021 salary cap, but it will be no lower than $180 million after reaching an agreement with the player’s union. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league’s revenues declined this past season and officials were embracing for a lower cap — possibly as low as $175 million, down from the current number of $198 million.
According to Over The Cap, Washington is projected to have the fifth-most cap room in the league at $38 million, if the salary cap falls to $180 million.
A November study from Team Marketing Report pegged the league’s losses at $2.7 billion from the lack of fans at games in 2020 because of the pandemic. The league’s attendance this past season was just 1.2 million — down 17 million as only a small number of teams permitted fans in a limited capacity.
ESPN reported the NFL expects to hone in on a final cap figure for the 2021 season soon — estimated to land somewhere between $180 million to $185 million.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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