For the past few weeks, the big news in the NFL clearly has been the news that the owners have opted out of the collective bargaining agreement that was barely two years old. The implications are obvious and serious -- the NFL could be facing a salary cap-less year in 2010 and a possible lockout after that.
But do you care? I mean, I am sure when we get closer to doomsday, assuming nothing gets done before then, you'll care. But I want to know ... does the average PFW reader think this is an issue right now? Have you taken sides? Who appears to be the good and bad guys in this deal?
I certainly hope people care, but it would not shock me if most fans are taking the "wake me up after '09" approach. In fact, I wrote as much in a column for this week's paper, which covers the subject quite thoroughly. I think there's time to work out a deal, and neither side is stupid or greedy enough (well ...) to want to do anything drastic or stupid. Baseball and the NBA have shown what work stoppages can do, damage-wise, to their sports. Even the mighty NFL would suffer if the games were stopped.
I just would like to hear people's opinions on how they are looking at the coverage. Do you read it every day? Rarely? Always? Do you think Gene Upshaw and the players are in the driver's seat? Or what about Jerry Jones and the owners? Is Roger Goodell doing his part in the dealings?
I am very curious to hear the results.
Comments (3)
The NFL used to share almost all revenue. Now the Jerry Jones' of the world have created a gap in revenue and profit each team earns. This leaves the small market teams at a disadvantage. It squeezes profits and makes it more important for each team to maximize revenue. Thus we have higher ticket prices(look at the fortunes it now costs to go to the new Dallas stadium next year, or Toronto for a NFL game of New York(I mean New Jersey) when they get a new stadium) Add to that the bad collective bargaining deal that Paul Taglibeau somehow got most owners to agree to and you have small markets being squeezed. I'm really getting sick of the NFL and players union trying to get every last dollar out there. How rich do they need to be. I am a Bills fan. If this squeeze forces them to leave a market that has supported them and made them what they are today I'm never going to watch a NFL game again, and never going to spend another penny on anything related to the NFL
Posted by kevin | June 2, 2008 2:37 PM
Posted on June 2, 2008 14:37
The NFL needs a rookie salary cap. Too many thugs with a lot of money. The NFL does a lot to help them prepare for the changes, but they still think they can do whatever they want. I like the commissioner's plan to penalize teams as well as players. Throw some of these problems out of the league.
Posted by John Polanco | June 8, 2008 12:25 AM
Posted on June 8, 2008 00:25
Why the owners let Tagliabue shove thisCBA down their throats is beyond me. Now they're fighting an uphill battle to recover anything of what they lost, as well as forging agreement on a cap on these outrageous rookie salaries. Gene Upshaw is doing to the NFL what Donald Fehr has done to MLB. Greed, as always, drives the whole process, but the owners' huge investments entitle them to a larger share of the profits. The players will kill the golden goose if they and Upshaw get their way.
Posted by Dave | June 8, 2008 8:17 AM
Posted on June 8, 2008 08:17