Saturday, July 2, 2011

Ah.... The Labor Front

Another week passes in the seemingly unending NFL lockout. But like a glimmer in the eye of a child, there is now hope. A source indicates that there are documents being drawn up for an agreement between the two sides. Hopefully the NFL season will not be impacted by the two sides not agreeing on things that should be a NO brainer for other organizations. We are looking at this from a logical point of view and standpoint. The two sides are not.

When this all started, the NFL players suggested that they split everything down the middle. Before the lockout even began. Sources report that the NFL made 9.3 billion dollars last year. Alone. The owners strike with the expense credit of $1 billion . (In which everyone is struggling to find out what exactly that is) After that is taken out, then the salary cap gets 58% of that. But the owners wanted another billion to cover the expenses associated with running a team. They are saying that they aren't making enough money to support the cost of their business. So, the NFL players, in so many words, say hey, if you are going broke, let's see what you are spending it on so we can understand before we give you anything. I mean, it's the only logical thing to expect right? But the owners did not do it. So they were stuck, wouldn't budge and things got very critical. The two sides were not even talking. And now we are all hurting because there is STILL no CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Not only are we hurting, but the players that are potential NFL free agent Rookies are hurting as well. Many of them have taken up opportunities to play football in the CFL. Bryant Turner, former DE for the UAB Blazers is one of those players that is affected by the lockout. "About 20 rookies alone came up to Winnipeg for the tryout. So there is not telling how many of us (free agent rookies) are up here looking for a chance to play football." These guys are missing out on the chance to play the sport they love on the biggest stage imaginable, which is the NFL.

I will say this. They are at least in agreement that the Rookies should not be getting the huge contracts. And I agree. Because with Reggie Bush's production, he should not be making 12 mil this year. Just not acceptable. Pay the guys that have proven to be big time. Each year these contracts for Rookies get bigger and bigger.

And the players have even come down saying that they can take 48% if the owners would make sure they are spending more of the cap on current players contracts and stop holding so much space between top cap value and actual cap spending. But you know we STILL have a labor problem. So I will highlight the issues and give my opinion on what is going wrong between the two sides.

The Players....
Point 1. The NFL players want to count sales tax on tickets in Total revenue. Sales tax is just that. A TAX! It cannot and should not be included in the total revenue split. It is a tax. Come on guys. Let's be realistic. I know you are trying to get your money, but hit the major avenues, not the side streets.
Point 2. The NFL players also want for all revenue to include the football events that are not related to football. Well NFL stands for the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Not the NATIONAL FOOTBALL AND OTHER EVENTS IN THE STADIUM LEAGUE. Again, fellas I understand that you are trying to get your money. And I agree that you guys should get more of pie, since you are the ones out there getting hit by grown men that weigh 260 lbs moving at speeds in excess of 35-40 mph. Better judgment would suggest you come off of the 48% and move it to 52%-55%. You guys earn it

And really those are the only issues that seem to be the players fault. Honestly, they are a little unreasonable, but one could possibly understand why they are wanting this, seeing that they are willing to take only 48%.

But the owners....
Point 1. The NFL owners are reporting the salary cap, but are putting the players that they cut contracts in the overall cap amount for that year. That is an inaccurate number and it should be considered fraud. How can I justify that I am spending that amount by using something that doesn't exist? The IRS would have my head if I was doing that with 4th and Inches Magazine. How is it possible for the NFL to get away with it. If you look at these teams and their ACTUAL spending you would be shocked that the cap is not what they are saying it is... Hmmmm... Shame on you Owners. Shame on you.
Point 2. The NFL owners want the players to pay for the aid of retired players. ARE YOU SERIOUSLY DELUSIONAL!?!?!?! You can't expect these guys to pay for the other guys out of THEIR salary cap!!!! What should you as the league be responsible for? Anything? This is just unacceptable! In most companies, the company is responsible for pension, retirement. Honestly in my opinion, if the player gets hurt, the NFL should not ONLY be responsible for paying them, but also for the health care of that injury. (i.e surgery, medicines, doctor's visits etc.)
Point 3. The owners want expense credits. Expense credits for WHAT? These clowns are billionaires. There is no need for an expense credit. Bottom line. When you get this expense credit, it is going to cut the total revenue, cutting the amount that you are allowing to split, making the overall number lower. The lower number would then suggest that they players would not get as much lowering the number down even further than what the players are willing to take.
Point 4. The NFL owners want 18 games. Why? To make more money? Are you even remotely interested in these guys health? Most players struggle to survive for 16 games. Adding 2 more games makes these guys a lot less likely to give everything on every play, because the next play maybe the last. That combined with the alarming increase in the number of concussions each year makes the 18 game thing no contest. It seems like they look at these guys as race animals or slaves; that you get all you can get out of them, then throw them to rot.
Point 5. The NFL owners are crying that they are not getting the money. Man shut up. 9.3 billion dollars ain't too shabby. No group whose money is affected by your money is just going to say, hey take this billion dollars because you say you are having a hard time. It's okay we understand. You have to prove that. Are you afraid of opening up your books because we are hiding things? Or showing that you are defrauding? Show that you are not in fact paying all of your taxes? If you are going to ask for it, you better be able to prove that you need it.

I say all this to say I am not taking sides, but I do think that as men, arguing is not the answer and neither is finger pointing. Let's get this solved so I can see the game that so many people have come to need and love.

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