So the NFL released the 2011-2012 regular season schedule this evening in normal over the top fashion on ESPN. Normally I am extremely, I mean extremely excited about the potential matchups and the upcoming season. I love to see who opens the season, who the defending champs will play, etc. This year, I could care less! As a fan and season ticket holder, my main concern is this lock out nonsense......not the damn schedule. Some of these games may never take place because the owners and players are acting like spoiled rich kids and cannot agree of a number of terms. If there is a season, the games that do take place will be played by replacements, which is another issue.
Let’s look at this lock out business for a second. By mid-March the parties involved could not reach an agreement so the players dissolved their union and the owners locked them out....easy enough. But what exactly are they fighting about? It seems the owners basically want to keep more of the revenue, extend the season by 2 games, set a rookie paying scale and possibly tweak the current health care system. On the other hand, the players want to keep the terms of the last CBA or get more of the revenue, better health care, not extend the season without additional payment and some other things. Seems like they are both fighting about the same things, they are just not sure how it should go.
Now both parties say they are negotiating in good faith, but I just don’t see it. Owners want to extend the season, but not give the players more money. Players want better health care, but not willing to invest in an actual health care plan. Since they could not solve this issue on their own a federal mediator had to be called in to get both sides to talk….really??!? The country is dealing with wars, recession, natural disasters, etc and taxpayer money is being sent on a mediator for this mess! Both sides need to “man-up” and get it together. There is an NFL season that needs to be players....selfish I know....sue me!
Now both parties say they are negotiating in good faith, but I just don’t see it. Owners want to extend the season, but not give the players more money. Players want better health care, but not willing to invest in an actual health care plan. Since they could not solve this issue on their own a federal mediator had to be called in to get both sides to talk….really??!? The country is dealing with wars, recession, natural disasters, etc and taxpayer money is being sent on a mediator for this mess! Both sides need to “man-up” and get it together. There is an NFL season that needs to be players....selfish I know....sue me!
I feel as though the owners are coming out as the victors in this situation. The owners will get paid even if there is no season because of the television contracts, which are guaranteed. They knew what they were doing when they negotiated those contracts a few years back. Many believe the owners have been planning for this lock out for a few years and I agree. If there is no season, there is little cost to the teams. They will not have to pay players, assistant coaches, trainers, groundsman, etc. The amount they receive from the TV contracts will easily offset the amount of money it takes to keep the team “operating”. Not to mention the revenue generated from season ticket sales and rental of the stadium for concerts, parties, events, etc. If the owners do use replacement players the total value of those contracts would not be much. There are so many guys looking to get on a team they would accept very little pay and minimal health benefits. Again, the owners would be "WINNING" (In my Charlie Sheen voice)!
Despite the lock-out, Dan Snyder have been deducting my checking account on a monthly basis to cover the price of my season ticket. I am very interested to see what ownership will do if all 8 home regular season games don't go as planned. I'm GOING to want my money back....refund PLEASE! Honestly, after shoving out ALL of that money to the team I don’t want to see no damn walk-ons! Sorry, that is un-a damn-cceptable to me! It would be like watching semi-pro football, no disrespect. If I’m paying NFL prices, I want to see the Chris Cooleys, London Flectchers and Brian Orakpos of the league. Not “Lil Mike and dem" from around the corner. No sir!!! I understand it will give our local athletes a chance to shine, but I should NOT have to pay regular price. Discount players = discount tickets.
Right now the owners have the keys to open the doors and end the lockout. I pray they do so soon! I have no idea what I will do with my Sundays, Mondays and some Thursdays without NFL games to watch…..You guys might want to check on me if the season doesn't go down!
No comments:
Post a Comment