Some threaten to boycott games, some insist they will move on to the numerous other sporting opportunities life affords them, others recommit to their families, and still others have declared all-out war on the NFL (whatever that entails). So many offended people and so little time. While the majority of our nation focuses its energy on the devastation in Japan or getting an iPad 2, fans of America’s Game have fallen via a massive (and legal) hit from James Harrison and can’t seem to get up. I am here to tell you that it is time to get up, brush yourself off, don’t look for a penalty flag, and just be patient while the important business of the NFL gets hammered out.
The low blow to the fans was delivered on Friday, 2 P.M. west-coast time as the players followed through with their threat to decertify the union. The owners quickly followed up with their threat to “lock-out” the players. The result of these actions is essentially a work stoppage. Before anyone goes ignorantly “off” about not worrying because there have not been any games lost yet, think about it… No player should do anything more active than channel surf or read on-line (can’t have paper-cuts get infected). Injuries end a lucrative careers. Just staying in shape is a significant risk. In a world where NFL contracts are written on moist cocktail napkins which can be disposed of at the slightest hint of a tare, it would be foolish for a player to put his body at risk.
Fast-forward to a preferred future where labor strife ends and players are allowed to return to work. It will take months for players to get into game shape? While players re-sculpt their bodies, first year head coaches, coordinators, and assistants busily install their new offensive or defensive schemes? This is the best case scenario. Same arguments could be made for the young men coming out of college entering the league via next months draft in New York City. The risks are enormous. So enormous, that it is best for players to chill-out on a beach somewhere and wait for the business of the League to sort itself out, get the all clear signal and then return to work – however long it takes.
Back to the people who matter most, the fans. It is us after all who make it possible for the group of owners and players to be at each other’s collective throats. If we were not so loyal and passionate in brining this great game to heights of popularity never before imagined, they would not have over $9 billion to argue over. We pay the $75 dollars to park at a Cowboys pre-season game. We tune-in in record numbers to watch those hoping to be drafted run, jump, and throw at the NFL Combine. It is us who have turned the draft from something held in a hotel ball-room to the multiday red-carpet spectacle it is today. Our NFL appetite is insatiable.
We, the fans, are the dross feeding Jaba the Hut. Will we stop? Hell no. Will we cut back on our NFL spending? Perhaps a little. Will we be able to play fantasy football this season? Not like we have been accustomed to. Instead we will sit idly by and complain on blogs and talk radio about how greedy and inconsiderate the (insert your side here) _________ are. We rant about how thoughtless and mean are the people holding hostage our collective happiness. Some of us lucky ones try to play our own economic card and pointing out that any kind of labor dispute puts our own financial lives in jeopardy.
Bottom line in the whose right and whose wrong saga of economic tug-of-war? To that question the only mature answer is that everyone shares culpability and simultaneously no one is completely to blame. The situation is what it is and IT sucks. The owners and players are going to have to go through these emotional economic gyrations. It is impossible not to. With so much money is involved it becomes idiotic to not fight tooth and nail for the infrastructure which supports the happy Buddha. The infrastructure must be solid gridiron so we fans can continue to make it a significant part of our lives again.
Good Article Jeff,
I’m ticked at the labour (yes, I’m Canadian and this is the correct spelling *Grin*) strife but I see that both sides have valid arguments as to why this is happening. I’m still hopeful we’ll get a season in 2011-2012. The only thing that really burns me up is the blatant pandering from both sides saying they’re doing this for us the fans. That’s just insulting to me. I know that both sides are in it for their own self interest, the fans are the ones without a say in this process and when you say you’re doing this for my own good, I feel like a abuse victim told the slap was for my own good. I know I’ll be in the stands and on my couch cheering whenever the game I love returns, hopefully not too long from now, i won’t know what to do with my commutes in the Fall without NFLR&R to listen too.
Richard:
Thanks for the comments. Wait until my next article where I attack everyone who tells us what the fans want. They are clueless! The next article is the one I really wanted to write, but this came out first (as it should have).
It definitely seems that this is a millionaires vs. billionaires kind of fight that’s going on and we, as the “thousandaires” (if we are lucky) are definitely the losers. Both sides have significant contingency plans as we go further and further without football but what am I going to watch on Sundays? The fantasy football industry is going to grind to a screeching halt. Unfortunately, there is no one person who can speak for us. The media tries but I don’t think that the NFL and NFLPA* really are listening (which is obvious).
And Richard, I’m also from Canada (although I live in Detroit now) and the U is quite superfluous. ;)
That being said, thank you to Jeff and Steven for doing an incredible job. Most journalists are reporters first. You guys are fans first and reporters second and your excitement is so contagious when listening to you guys do a show.
When you guys record another show, I would love to hear each of you take a side: players or owners. It would be highly educational and fun. If you do this, I suggest that each of you takes the side you’re less inclined to join. As a good English teacher taught me years ago. this will make you work harder at arguing their (the opposition’s) point, rather than simply reiterating unchallenged arguments for the side you’re on. When you do this, it’s a bit like being an attorney for a client you don’t agree with, but are nevertheless charged with arguing her case and must do a good job.
I am going to guess that it would be best if Jeff spoke for the players and Steven for the owners. I’m guessing Jeff’s Republicanism makes him (and me) a greater ally to the owners, and Steven’s more Democrat values a greater ally to the players. Moreover, contrary to what I’ve just written, I think Steven’s temperament is more owner-like (he’ll sound more like an owner), and Jeff’s is more player-like (he’ll sound more like a… more like… a kicker).
Whatever you do, I look forward to another show and more articles in these worrisome times. Indeed, it’s in worrisome times (tsunamis, civil wars, etc.) that we most need something to alleviate our worries.
Great stuff. From what I got from reading a lot on this topic is that the owners are not making enough money year to year. Partly due to the owner taking on a lot of the bill for the new stadiums such as the Cowboys Stadium.
One thing I have to say is that they will make possibly 10 fold the money once they sell the team. Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys for under $200 million and now its worth over $1 billion. If they are set on not making enough money sell your team.
Even if owners break even each year they franchises increase in value and the real money comes when they sell.
I agree with Josh wholeheartedly. The thing that separates you guys so well is that you’re fans first. For example, let’s say AP happened to be in trade talks with another franchise.
Schefter would be all, “according to today’s trade talks from an inside source, we estimate he may want to be traded sooner than later in order to have enough time to work with the new team. On Friday he did say ….”
You guys would be like “that dude don’t care just as long as he has a better chance to get that ring…and as long as Brett Favre doesn’t follow him.”
Btw, has anyone from either side of the CBA thought to try and petition Obama to provide some stimulus money to make this deal happen?
I miss football. :(