HOLDOUT FINES MORE THAN DOUBLE
A league source tells us that the daily fines for a training camp holdout have shot from $6,000 per day to $14,000 per day under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It's not presently clear whether the deal was reached in March, or whether it's the result of subsequent discussions. The "Term Sheet" setting forth the March 2006 changes to the CBA does not include any reference to an increase in daily fines.
In this context, the term "holdout" refers only to players who are under contract. Rookie draft picks are not subject to fines for missing camp, since they have not yet signed a contract.
The most likely training camp holdout this year is Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie, who earlier this month skipped out on a mandatory minicamp.
From PFT. This could affect Branch's decision as to whether to hold-out or not, especially just to make a statement about his contract. It is only chump change to them, but once the fines start piling up, somebody like Branch, who is still playing under his rookie contract, it might well effect his bottom line.