Quote:
Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule
Give me a break please. Are there issues to work out yes, but all players and owners are more than "fairly" compensated for a game they all love. In 1987 players had a reasonable claim in that owners controlled the whole playing field. Now not so much. Players also are doing better at marketing themselves outside of the sport (ie manning). This is about two super rich groups risking alienating the very fanbase which has bought into the hype and enjoyment of a sports entertainment package. If the billionare owners and millionaire players can't understand that a large percentage of the fanbase may work 10 to 20 years to earn what they earn in a few seasons (for the lowest paid player) than they are all being selfish with a sport that I and my family enjoy the heck out of.
No my support is not a question of fairness to the players, or the pity on owners who just want a reasonable return. My support is for the thousands of fans across the nation on boards like this one day in and day out rooting and cheering and aching when their team wins and loses.
Hopefully the greedy owners and selfish players hear that message through their various sycophants and media outlets!
As someone else mentioned police put their lives on the line daily, I don't see millionaire police officers (well not ones who aren't corrupt). Teachers in truly downtrodden school systems risk life and limb in trying to elevate their students out of despair - tell them about a guy with a 40 million dollar contract who isn't being fairly treated. Tell the miners who go down into the depths of the earth that the poor football players are not given more than 5 years of guaranteed health benefits, I doubt you will though cuz they would look at you like you are crazy.
The owners are no better. Tell other ceo's that their return rate in this economy is "only" 8% (or whatever). Or take their woe is me story to baseball which would love to have the same type player salaries and non-guaranteed contracts.
Both sides are at fault for not acknowledging that this system that upshaw and the old commissioner worked out really is a boon for the sport and all involved ought to do everything in their power to ensure it stays upright.
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Well when it comes to being fairly compensated... one of the hot issues at hand is the availability of information. The owners have repeatedly claimed that the times are tough, and new economical problems have risen, so more revenue is needed to offset these extra costs.
The NFLPA has acknowledged this complaint, but wants some proof of the impact on the owners themselves. In short, the NFLPA wants the owners to show them the books and go from there. The owners will not even discuss this as a possibility.
The offer is completely off the table.
Secondly, being fairly compensated also involves increased health benefits for the players. With the inevitability of an 18 games season, some real sticking points involve the players increased wages and health benefits for these two extra games. More games = more wear and tear on the body = more money to pay for the ailments. Rookie salaries are also up for debate as well.
Before you cry about how you don't want to hear their complaints because they're millionaires, consider the amount of work that an NFL player must go through in order to reach that status. It's an incredibly demanding job, and many players earn every penny through hard work, dedication, and a lot of luck.