The amazing thing about Silver's column is that it presented scenarios that I wasn't even sure were possibilities, namely that the locked out players could join the UFL as a way to stay in shape. Sure the obvious questions of rookie salary caps, percentage of revenue shared, number of regular season games, and potential replacement players were logical topics that should be addressed during the negotiations, but I certainly didn't consider the prospect of no drug testing during the lockout - and the residual effects that it would cause the players! Just a whole bunch of late night pizzas, nightclub shootings, drunk driving arrests, or in Ben Roethisberger's case - more public bathrooms to have non-consensual sex in!
I'd like to believe that the owners will come to their senses and realize that while it may be cheaper to lock the players out and just take the TV profits, it's not worth the risk of rocking one on the steadiest and bankable boats in the history of sports/business which is the NFL.
Labor Peace however, is ONE thing the NFL doesn't want you to bet on...
Great post Danimal. This is something that everyone needs to realize- The NFL is no where close to playing the 2011 season... Do you actually think the Bears might have played their cards right by not firing Lovie since they have a good feeling about what next year beholds?
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly right Joseph. They knew, or at the very least were aware, that the possibility of a lockout was strong. They were prescient enough to see that if they fire Lovie and the gang now, hire someone proven at a tune of about $7-$10 million a year, they ran the risk of paying two coaches not to coach.
ReplyDeleteThis is why the "Fire Lovie Smith Now" camp - for as much as I agree with them - is nothing but misdirected energy because it's just not financially feasible at this time.