What do I want? And more importantly, why should anyone care? The folks representing both sides of the current NFL labor dispute should care a great deal about what I want. Who am I? No one famous or dangerous here; just a fan of the NFL. Why then should they care about one fan? That’s my point entirely. I think I’m quite common and ordinary. I think I’m a lot like you. And if I’m correct in my assessment and I am like you, then these parties better get their act together fast!
This lock-out has taken a dagger to my greatest passion. In the land of unintended consequence I have been forced to reconsider how I spend my free-time. Other passions once significant in my life are now creeping back in to fill the void which used to be NFL year round. Problem for them is, I think I like the change. Unless something dramatically unexpected occurs very soon, we could see permanent shifts in the behaviors for those of us who have filled every moment with the NFL.
With that threat clearly placed on the table, I am left to ponder aloud, what do I want? Hmmm. An 18 game season? Not interested. I like the 16 game season. How about additional revenue set aside for stadium maintenance? Nope. Couldn’t care less and this comes from someone who lives in the state with the ugliest facilities in the NFL; Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco. These stadiums are holes in the truest sense of the word, but I don’t think the average fan cares. NFL games are fun regardless of how unattractive the facilities are. What do I really want? Well, speaking of stadiums in California, how bout a team in L.A.? Now THAT I’d like.
Do I care about an increase in medical coverage for veterans? Sure if they have served in the military. NFL veterans, far, far less. Do you see where I’m going here? There is a disconnect between the owners/players and the fans. There exists a chasm between what we want and what they want. There is virtually NOTHING substantive WE care about.
I want to buy an authentic NFL jersey for a lot of money ($59) rather than a ridiculous amount of money ($149). I would like to be able to TAKE MY FAMILY TO A GAME once a season without incurring massive debt. I want players to believe that getting paid to play professional football is a privilege and as such should be punished severely if they behave like schmucks off the field. While we’re talking about conduct, I want owners to spend most of their money trying to make their team better. I want accountability.
What do I want? I want millionaire players and billionaire owners to figure out a way to share nine billion dollars so that I can watch football again. I want assurance that my friends and I will be able to play fantasy football this year. Sure it’s a bit geeky, but we have fun and the same group of us have been playing together for a long time. I want the community of the weekly office pool.
I had hope of someday becoming a season ticket holder. This has always worried me though because most season ticket holders I speak with are angry about “Personal Seat License” fees and parking that cost more a tank of gas. They also resent having to pay full price for two pre-season games.
The whole house of cards that is the NFL will come crumbling down if I get too much time to ponder how little the owners and professional athletes give a damn about me and my world. I am the one who provides ALL the money they now battle over. I freely give this money despite understanding full-well that I am not taken seriously. Up until now, my love of for game has trumped the blatant insult.
I have no plans to strike, walk-out, or boycott games. Not yet… Just PLEASE STOP PUSHING ME! Stop the bickering, name calling, accusing, and snide remarks and get back to work! I go to work every day with little complaining for much less money. Is it possible that fans are more resilient than those making the big bucks? Hmm, I’ll have to consult with my legal team… oh, wait, I don’t have a legal team. I’m just a fan.
well jeff i kind of agree this has been going on over here in th UK for years now.The average fan can no longer t
ake his family along to a game at the weekend without taking out a loan to cover the costs.Its all bloody geared up for the rich and corporate kind. Like i said for a regular joe who wants to take his 3 kids forget it at least £200 pound for a family to watch park eat and drink at the game totay ridicculus. But as a UK fan of the bucs i would welcome more NFL games in a season. Thanks for listening.
Yours mark Esbach
Jeff from your rant it appears that it is cheaper to watch a game in the UK then it is in the US! And that truly is a shame!
Well as a Military member in the Uk I have had the privilage of watching a game in the States and in the UK, and I must say that you are right on all accounts. If it wasn’t for Ebay I wouldn’t have been able to purchase as good of a seat for games in Atlanta and Jacksonville then I did for the International Series game this year. I find it rediculous that I have to go to another country to get a good price on Amerca’s most passionate sport.
Well said Jeff.
Good article! No boycott for me, but one thing is for sure – I will find something else to do with my time and money in the event of a delayed or postponed season. There’s much more to life than NFL football so there is some risk that I won’t come back.
Couldn’t agree more Jeff, but you know what I want?
I want a sandwich.
Can the NFL provide me with free sandwiches? Until they do I can’t see how I’m going to be able to cope with this legal war we’re having to put up with. And I really mean, put up with. I no longer fanatically visit the ESPN blogs to see which player we’ve signed off the streets to the practice squad, I no longer scout message boards about the draft, and like you, I’m finding that actually, there are other, more worthwhile, ways to spend my time.
I love the NFL but if it doesn’t get a grip sometime soon, more people are going to realise that it is not the be all and end all.
At the root of the issue are two things. 1.) this is a game. 2.) the people involved have more money than I will likely see in my lifetime (barring a fortuitous lottery event). This is a game that people play for free. It’s not world peace at stake, it’s not Nobel Prize-worthy, it’s a game. A game I LOVE, don’t get me wrong, but a game nonetheless. At some point, football is going to go the way of baseball for me. I was a huge baseball fan at one point. I lived in Tampa, and was surrounded by summer league teams. BUT…they went on strike and at that point I put baseball down. They get paid alot of money to play a game….whereas all other people have to schlep to an office everyday for ALOT less money and yet they go day in and day out. C’mon NFL/NFLPA….(sorry, Trade Association) you mean to tell me you cant get your crap together long enough to PLAY A GAME? for EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS?!?! Seriously?!!?!?!?
I love my Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Bucs….but if your going to bend me over, at least buy me dinner first.
Here Here
I agree with you Daryl, but if you think about it you can’t be suprised this is happening. Our own federal leaders who make millions can’t come together on money issues and planning on locking out them selves. Is this the newest fad in America?!?!?
Good point Rico. Imma try locking out my wife if I don’t see more of our cash around this household. I’m sure that’ll go over like a turd in a punchbowl. Feel free to let the NFL use that as Exhibit A.
…and can someone tell me why Jeff is taking a crap in the middle of a desert?!
This photo was taken during family vacation two years ago. It was taken near the four corners of the U.S. Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado (where they all come together). I thought it would be funny to take a dump there. Crude, but that is what I am pretending to do. The T.M.I. guy has struck again.