Rock out with your Lockout

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Sure it's a shame, but watching football is luxury to most of us. Most of us don't need the game to make a dollar. For players and owners football is a means of sustenance. For many players it's their only vehicle of employment and betterment.

There are many people involved in football games outside of the players who depend on the games to pay their bills

[SFREDSKIN]

I say screw both sides and start a league were they play for the passion of the game like the old days.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

I say screw both sides and start a league were they play for the passion of the game like the old days.

What are we talking about? The 1920s?

[sportscurmudgeon]

What is missing from the dynamic of the negotiations is precisely the voice of the fans that is loud and clear here.

Fans want football so they want a resolution to these "issues" immediately. But the fans have no voice in the negotiations even though all of the $$$ that all these folks are fighting over come from the pockets of the fans - - and the taxpayers in cities that have funded stadiums for teams.

The fans pay the freight but the players and the owners decide whether or not the fans - - the one's paying the freight may I remind you - - get to see games next year.

That is what is wrong with this picture. Put fans in the room with the power of the dollars and this would be fixed in a flash.

The NFL expects to take in revenues just under $9B this year. Player salaries and benefits amount to just under 60% of that revenue or just under $5.4B.

And those folks can't figure out how to share that pie so that everyone gets a fair share? Give me a BREAK!

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

I say screw both sides and start a league were they play for the passion of the game like the old days.

The Lingerie Football League is definitely passionate and, just like Red Grange, its players wear lacy underwear.

[warpaint]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

There are many people involved in football games outside of the players who depend on the games to pay their bills

O.K. with this said what is better for them? The general workers that are never seen. Is it better for the owners to come on top or the players?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by warpaint

O.K. with this said what is better for them? The general workers that are never seen. Is it better for the owners to come on top or the players?

It's better for there to be games, so I'll say the players

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by warpaint

O.K. with this said what is better for them? The general workers that are never seen. Is it better for the owners to come on top or the players?

Owners. The FO, maintenance and team people are paid out of the owners pockets, not the players %. If teams are really struggling they will cut team staff before they cut player salaries so they still try to field a competitive team.

My question to those supporting the players is; do the players give back some of their salaries if the team doesn't hit their revenue goals or loses $$$ (Buffalo, Jax, Detroit, Cincy, etc.)? Of course not. Who takes the ultimate financial risk, the owners.

Good read:
The Most Valuable NFL Teams - Forbes.com

From the article:
At the other end of the scale, the NFL's low-revenue teams are struggling to keep pace with their big-market competition. The NFL's 10 least valuable teams all declined in value over the past year, led by the Jacksonville Jaguars, which fell 16% to $725 million. The Jags lost 17,000 season ticket holders following a disappointing 5-win, 11-loss season in 2008. The poor support forced the Jaguars to have all but one of its games blacked out locally on TV. The Jags boosted their season ticket base for the upcoming season, but did it with heavily discounted tickets.

The Detroit Lions (owned by auto scion William Clay Ford) are one of only two teams to lose money ($2.9 million) last season on an operating basis (the Miami Dolphins lost $7.7 million). This marks the third time in four years the Lions have posted an operating loss.
The team is burdened with a hefty debt load of $350 million thanks to the Lions' contribution to the $440 million Ford Field, which opened in 2002. The Lions have struggled to sell tickets since becoming the first NFL team to ever finish winless in a 16-game season in 2008. The Lions had half of its eight home games blacked out last year as it failed to sell out 72 hours before kickoff. The team cut ticket prices on 19,000 seats for this season in hopes of boosting attendance.

Also, looking at the Packers' numbers, their profit was down 52% in 2010. League-wide, total team values fell 2%.

Like any negotiation there will be trade-offs on each side, it shouldn't be too difficult to resolve though:

- 18 games - No way.
- Owners fund better after playing career health coverage. - Absolutely
- Rookie wage scale - Absolutely
- Players take a slight % cut of approx. 5% instead of 18%

CBA done, how hard was that?