Rock out with your Lockout

[Daseal]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Owners and players make way more money than they should now as it is. Why don't we move the NFL in the direction of the financial markets and allow us to get kick backs, "dividends", since we are the force that lines their pockets with green in the first place? That is the petition I want to sign. Until the day we have meaningful jobs like teachers, police officers and firemen get paid the same as these overpaid athletes, I will not be happy. I work just as hard as these guys who get to have fun for a minuscule percentage of their salary. Wait, am I sounding a tad bit bitter? Oops....

I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.

[RobH4413]

YouTube - The NFL Lockout Exposed! How It Came To...

Here's another take from former New England Patriots left tackle Brian Halloway.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

. ... 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.

I want to be clear, I don't begrudge the players the money they make. Nor do the owners profit bother me. But sit down(both sides) and work out a reasonable solution recognizing that as a whole they are extremely fortunate people- all of whom have worked hard and are the best of the best in their profession. Don't ask me to cry or side with one over the other, simply sit down and do the hard work at the bargaining table, both sides give a little, and don't hold an outstanding fan base to your side's (either as an owner or player) most strict line.

I have a 13 year old son, NFL football is his passion, but he will "suffer" because grown men can't find common ground. That's a shame.

[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.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.

I second that...

It's all based on the principles of supply and demand. If you think athletes are being paid too much it's in your best interest to NOT pay attention or monetarily support the sport. If you're the type of person who can't stop watching football then STOP complaining about the absurd amount of money in the game. If you feel that strongly about the comparasion between the pay of NFL athletes and community employees please don't reference how much you love and are knowledgable about the game because you are then part of the problem and are being hypocritical.

Simple solution for all of those holier than thou when it comes to the compensation...STOP watching, talking and knowing everything about it.

...I can't do that, that's why I'm at peace with the just payment for said demand.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Where can we vote for owners?

Usually I find unions to be tedious and troublesome but the owners are terrible in this case. The fact that the owners and Commissioner Goodell have been talking about fans are "excited" about the prospect of an 18 game season despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary really has gotten under my skin.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Usually I find unions to be tedious and troublesome but the owners are terrible in this case. The fact that the owners and Commissioner Goodell have been talking about fans are "excited" about the prospect of an 18 game season despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary really has gotten under my skin.

Another thing that is funny about that is he cites "all fans are excited about the possiblity of an 18 game season", meanwhile I haven't heard ANYONE I talk to that would like in the least.

What I have heard overwhelming fan support for is the ability for players to celebrate without fear of a sensitive penalty in the endzone after a touchdown.


So when is Goodell listening to fan support, when it is only in the best interest of the NFL?...Go screw Goodell and quit citing supposed fan support as sincere motives of the NFL.

Fans would have wanted the Vikings vs. Eagles game played in an all out blizzard and not played on a Tuesday night just so the NFL could buy another night in which it was the leading rated thing on television.

[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.

[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

[CRedskinsRule]

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?

What's best for them is that both sides reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Why is this such a difficult thing? Because both sides are acting out of greed. Everything else is just smoke.

[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?

[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.

[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!