More photos » by Stephen Chernin - AP (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File) Browse more photos » Prior to the 2009 season the NFL owners decided unanimously to opt out of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) following the 2009 season. There are myriad reasons why the owners opted out; economic downturn, a poor business model for smaller market teams, but the most widely attributed reason is the lack of a r...