NFL Notifies Teams HGH Testing Won’t Start Before the Season Begins

The NFL notified teams on Friday that HGH testing will not begin before the season opens up next Thursday.

In a document sent to the league’s management council and to all 32 teams that was obtained by The Associated Press, NFL lead counsel Jeff Pash said a disagreement with the union over testing procedures will prevent the program from starting before Week 1.

Blood testing for human growth hormones was part of the new collective bargaining agreement, but only if the union agreed to the methods. The NFLPA has not agreed, however, stating it needs more information to the safety and reliability of the tests from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

If and when the testing is allowed the NFL would be the first of the major American professional sports leagues to implement HGH testing.