As NFL owners and players take the next step in their lockout legal battle Friday when they argue in front of a three-judge panel at the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis , there is one overarching question:
Is this legal wrangle a good or bad thing for the NFL?
The obvious answer from most corners of the league – be it New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott(notes), New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft or anyone in between those polar opposites – is that the lockout is bad. In recent weeks, former players such as Terry Bradshaw and Cris Collinsworth have weighed in with opinions echoing league officials, essentially saying the matter should be negotiated, not litigated.
In the backdrop, the decertified NFL Players Association has been talking tougher in recent days, with executive director DeMaurice Smith saying the trade association might not assemble as a union again. Similarly, players such as Drew Brees(notes), London Fletcher(notes) and Chester Pitts(notes) have backed up Smith by saying they are prepared for a long fight that could curtail or completely wipe out the 2011 season.
On Wednesday, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said he considered Smith’s statements a thinly veiled attempt to back up the players’ court case.
“I assume it’s principally meant by DeMaurice to bolster their media position and their legal claim that this was not simply a tactical move for negotiating position,” Pash said. “I think that DeMaurice would admit that other than to support their legal position, it doesn’t help generate a fair deal that both sides will benefit from. It doesn’t help the current players, and it doesn’t help the retired players.”
While Pash’s explanation makes sense because a formal collective bargaining agreement helps protect the many mechanisms that maintain the NFL’s competitive balance such as the NFL draft and the assorted restrictions on free agency, there is a flipside to being in court:
It helps keep the peace, which ultimately has been part of the NFL’s huge growth.
The longest run of labor peace in modern NFL history has been over the past 23 years. That coincides with when the NFLPA, then under the leadership of the late Gene Upshaw, decided to stop negotiating with the owners. Instead, the NFLPA and Upshaw went to court in 1990 and filed the antitrust lawsuit that became the Reggie White case and resulted in the 1993 CBA that expired in March.
Prior to that, the NFL and the NFLPA were regularly at odds. There were strikes in 1982 and 1987, both of which caused games to be cancelled. Previously, the relatively powerless NFLPA, which was officially recognized by the owners in 1968 when the two sides struck a CBA, voted three times to go on strike. However, none of the instances (1968, 1970 and 1974) resulted in missed regular-season games.
Ultimately, that means that over a 19-year span, the players either voted to go on strike or went on strike five times. As a result, union leadership changed drastically, with the 1982 strike resulting in the departure of former union chief Ed Garvey.
So while the current labor dispute may not be ideal for owners, players or outsiders, there is a positive side.
“I’m not going to say we were powerless, but there’s no question there was a limit to what we could do,” said Jeff Van Note, who spent his entire 18-year career with Atlanta Falcons from 1969-86 and was the team’s union representative in the 1980s. “The strikes just weren’t effective. The players couldn’t outwait the owners no matter what … the strategy [Upshaw] came up with [following the ’87 strike] was really smart. It was the only way the players were ever going to get any real leverage.”
Since the now-expired CBA began in ’93, the resulting labor peace has contributed to unparalleled economic growth. Now, however, players fear that the gains made over the past 20 years could be jeopardized if they are no longer under the umbrella of the court, where threats of antitrust lawsuits have largely kept the owners at bay.
When the NFLPA first decertified in the late 1980s, it took away the antitrust protections the owners had because the owners were dealing with individuals rather than a unionized workforce that was negotiating as one group. When the CBA was worked out in ’93, the owners required the players to recertify as a union as part of the settlement because the owners wanted protection from lawsuits, like in 2003 when Maurice Clarett challenged the NFL’s draft rule on underclassmen.
Now, the players have returned to court for basically the same reason they did in the late 1980s. As Van Note indicated, the owners consistently have leverage over the players because of the nature of the game. More so than in baseball and basketball players, football players have relatively short careers. The risk of losing a year of pay in a sport where your ability to play is regularly in jeopardy because of injury is extremely difficult to accept.
Without the ability to take the owners to court, the players have consistently lost because the labor process is so long.
Pash eloquently disagreed with the notion that court supervision helped create labor peace.
“I don’t believe that the court supervision has contributed in any way to the labor peace that we’ve had from 1993 through 2010,” Pash said. “What contributed to it was recognition by both sides that negotiations and collective bargaining, which is what went on for all that time, was in their interests and that they were able to build something great together. They were able to work through their issues in an honest and candid way that involved compromise.
“The owners certainly didn’t get everything they wanted through that time and the players didn’t get everything they wanted through that time. But together they recognized that what unified them was much stronger than what divided them. And that had nothing to do with the court. That had to do with recognition of where people’s mutual interests lay, that they had a shared responsibility to 100 million Americans who follow the National Football League and care about it passionately. That’s what gets agreements done, not complaints and lawsuits. Agreements get done when people have shared interests.”
Perhaps, but didn’t those “mutual interests” exist in the 1980s, when there were two work stoppages?
“You are sort of asking me to go back to a time when I wasn’t nearly as involved, but I think it did exist,” Pash said. “But it’s like any relationship: Sometimes it has its rocky points and so you had a strike in 1982 and then a strike in 1987, but both times the parties resolved those disputes and got the game back on the field and that can happen again. No court intervened in 1982 to get the game back on the field. No court intervened in 1987 to get the game back on the field. The players and the clubs got the game back on the field.”
Maybe, but even after 1987, the players walked away from the process dissatisfied with what they received, leading to the move to the courtroom.
More than two decades later, the players still hold a strong distrust of the owners. Whether they will be able to protect themselves in court remains to be seen. (source Jason Cole – Yahoo Sports)
viernes, 3 de junio de 2011
At least they're chatting - Ingles
From mediated talks to arguments before an appeals court, the NFL's labor dispute has reached another critical stage.
The league and its players completed three consecutive days of not-so-secret talks Thursday in suburban Chicago . Now they head to court in St. Louis on Friday for a ruling that could prove pivotal in the nearly three-month lockout.
And while three judges from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals consider whether or not to allow the league-mandated lockout to continue, further talks between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, several team owners, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and some of his charges might be held elsewhere.
Goodell and owners Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants, Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers were among those joined in St. Charles, Ill., by Smith and a group of current and former players, including NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who mediated talks in April and May. The parties issued a joint statement confirming they had met but saying they would honor a court-ordered confidentiality agreement.
Smith and Goodell declined to comment to the Chicago Tribune when seen leaving Hotel Baker on Thursday afternoon. All Jones would say about the meeting is: "We can't make a comment about it at all, but we're trying. We're trying. I think the fact that we're meeting is good."
One player, whom the Tribune didn't identify, said the point of the get-together was for the parties to talk without lawyers present. Mike Vrabel, Tony Richardson and Brian Dawkins also attended.
Boylan then canceled mediation sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Minneapolis because "the Court has been engaged in confidential settlement discussions."
A person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press that the term "settlement discussions" doesn't necessarily mean an agreement is near. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the judge's confidentiality order, said the cancellation of next week's sessions was simply a way to keep the process as private as possible.
More likely than any continued mediation with Boylan would be similar secret meetings between the league and players, who have been locked out by the owners since March 12. Boylan broke the previous round of mediation last month by requesting that the parties return with proposals, and this week's talks could have been an effort for each to better understand the other's position before putting those together.
In the past, the clandestine approach has been a step toward successful negotiations between the league and NFLPA. Such meetings between former union executive director Gene Upshaw and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue often led to progress on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The NFL was granted a delay in the execution of an injunction against the lockout in late April. Between 20 and 30 players are expected to be in court Friday, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer, although a decision might not come for weeks.
The ruling coming off that hearing is expected to create major leverage points, one way or another, in the negotiations. The players will ask the court to uphold U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson's granting of injunction, while the league will seek a broader ruling that could lead to the dismissal of the Brady et al antitrust case altogether.
Ben Leber, one of 10 plaintiffs in the antitrust case against the league, said the players haven't discussed a specific drop-dead date for reaching an agreement to ensure the on-time start of training camps, which normally would open in about seven weeks. But he said it's necessary to have one in order to reach a deal.
"Both sides have a day, whether they want to make it public or not," Leber told The AP. "The biggest challenge is going to lie with whose day is going to come up first. Once it got to this point, I think it was just a good guess based on most corporate labor disputes that nothing was going to get done until the 11th hour. Now it depends on which 11th hour gets here first."
New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper told The AP that he hasn't heard of specific drop-dead dates being discussed, but he believes by start of August, "something has to be etched in stone," as far a new agreement.
"It looks bleak right now, but I'm thinking that something has to get worked out because too many people will be affected negatively if it does not get worked out," Sharper said.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said last week at the NFL Spring Meeting that he believed some decisions on opening training camps in late July needed to be made by July 4. (source NFL.com)
The league and its players completed three consecutive days of not-so-secret talks Thursday in suburban Chicago . Now they head to court in St. Louis on Friday for a ruling that could prove pivotal in the nearly three-month lockout.
And while three judges from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals consider whether or not to allow the league-mandated lockout to continue, further talks between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, several team owners, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and some of his charges might be held elsewhere.
Goodell and owners Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants, Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers were among those joined in St. Charles, Ill., by Smith and a group of current and former players, including NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who mediated talks in April and May. The parties issued a joint statement confirming they had met but saying they would honor a court-ordered confidentiality agreement.
Smith and Goodell declined to comment to the Chicago Tribune when seen leaving Hotel Baker on Thursday afternoon. All Jones would say about the meeting is: "We can't make a comment about it at all, but we're trying. We're trying. I think the fact that we're meeting is good."
One player, whom the Tribune didn't identify, said the point of the get-together was for the parties to talk without lawyers present. Mike Vrabel, Tony Richardson and Brian Dawkins also attended.
Boylan then canceled mediation sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Minneapolis because "the Court has been engaged in confidential settlement discussions."
A person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press that the term "settlement discussions" doesn't necessarily mean an agreement is near. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the judge's confidentiality order, said the cancellation of next week's sessions was simply a way to keep the process as private as possible.
More likely than any continued mediation with Boylan would be similar secret meetings between the league and players, who have been locked out by the owners since March 12. Boylan broke the previous round of mediation last month by requesting that the parties return with proposals, and this week's talks could have been an effort for each to better understand the other's position before putting those together.
In the past, the clandestine approach has been a step toward successful negotiations between the league and NFLPA. Such meetings between former union executive director Gene Upshaw and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue often led to progress on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The NFL was granted a delay in the execution of an injunction against the lockout in late April. Between 20 and 30 players are expected to be in court Friday, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer, although a decision might not come for weeks.
The ruling coming off that hearing is expected to create major leverage points, one way or another, in the negotiations. The players will ask the court to uphold U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson's granting of injunction, while the league will seek a broader ruling that could lead to the dismissal of the Brady et al antitrust case altogether.
Ben Leber, one of 10 plaintiffs in the antitrust case against the league, said the players haven't discussed a specific drop-dead date for reaching an agreement to ensure the on-time start of training camps, which normally would open in about seven weeks. But he said it's necessary to have one in order to reach a deal.
"Both sides have a day, whether they want to make it public or not," Leber told The AP. "The biggest challenge is going to lie with whose day is going to come up first. Once it got to this point, I think it was just a good guess based on most corporate labor disputes that nothing was going to get done until the 11th hour. Now it depends on which 11th hour gets here first."
New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper told The AP that he hasn't heard of specific drop-dead dates being discussed, but he believes by start of August, "something has to be etched in stone," as far a new agreement.
"It looks bleak right now, but I'm thinking that something has to get worked out because too many people will be affected negatively if it does not get worked out," Sharper said.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said last week at the NFL Spring Meeting that he believed some decisions on opening training camps in late July needed to be made by July 4. (source NFL.com)
Judge cancels mediation - Ingles
The judge overseeing the mediation between the NFL and the NFL Players Association has cancelled next week's planned sessions because of what he called ongoing "settlement discussions" between the sides.
But that was not an immediate sign of a major breakthrough that could lead to the NFL opening its doors to players again.
On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan -- in quashing the mediation sessions that had been planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday in Minnesota -- said he had been "engaged in confidential settlement discussions."
A person close to the talks told the AP that Boylan's use of "settlement" to describe the discussions does not necessarily indicate the sides are close to a deal.
The league and the NFLPA acknowledged meeting this week in Chicago, but have not divulged details of their talks.
"We're trying. I think the fact that we're meeting is good," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the Chicago Tribune on Thursday.
The settlement discussions potentially represent a milestone in the labor standoff, which escalated when the league imposed a lockout on March 12.
As recently as May 26, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell repeated his mantra that the two sides needed to talk.
"The best and fastest solution to the differences is to negotiate," Goodell said. "Let's get together and let's solve those problems in negotiations and with a collective bargaining agreement."
Goodell participated in this week's talks, as did NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith. Neither would comment on how they went.
There is no indication the settlement discussions with Boylan will lead to an agreement anytime soon. And the sides are due in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday as justices consider the fate of the lockout.
But if the settlement talks do lead to an agreement, it would likely fall under a similar umbrella of court supervision that governed the past collective bargaining agreement that ran from 1993-2011. This article was written by Sean Leahy and appeared in USA Today.
But that was not an immediate sign of a major breakthrough that could lead to the NFL opening its doors to players again.
On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan -- in quashing the mediation sessions that had been planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday in Minnesota -- said he had been "engaged in confidential settlement discussions."
A person close to the talks told the AP that Boylan's use of "settlement" to describe the discussions does not necessarily indicate the sides are close to a deal.
The league and the NFLPA acknowledged meeting this week in Chicago, but have not divulged details of their talks.
"We're trying. I think the fact that we're meeting is good," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the Chicago Tribune on Thursday.
The settlement discussions potentially represent a milestone in the labor standoff, which escalated when the league imposed a lockout on March 12.
As recently as May 26, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell repeated his mantra that the two sides needed to talk.
"The best and fastest solution to the differences is to negotiate," Goodell said. "Let's get together and let's solve those problems in negotiations and with a collective bargaining agreement."
Goodell participated in this week's talks, as did NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith. Neither would comment on how they went.
There is no indication the settlement discussions with Boylan will lead to an agreement anytime soon. And the sides are due in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday as justices consider the fate of the lockout.
But if the settlement talks do lead to an agreement, it would likely fall under a similar umbrella of court supervision that governed the past collective bargaining agreement that ran from 1993-2011. This article was written by Sean Leahy and appeared in USA Today.
Secret meeting held - Ingles
A week after NFL owners wrapped up their annual spring meeting in Indianapolis, a small group of them gathered in a western suburb of Chicago and huddled with NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith in advance of Friday's scheduled court hearing.
Smith and five players sat with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and influential owners including the Cowboys' Jerry Jones and the Patriots' Robert Kraft for two days of meetings that concluded Thursday morning at a local hotel.
Kraft was spotted Wednesday boarding his private jet at DuPage Airport, a little less than 24 hours after arriving, sources told the Tribune. Also present during a full-day stakeout was the jet belonging to Jones, an unmistakable Gulfstream model with a star on each side of the tail.
Sources said Goodell also arrived in West Chicago via private jet Tuesday, and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was believed to be present, the sources said. The NFL office was unable to provide any details. Airport officials cited a confidentiality policy in declining to reveal information.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen were the first to report that there was a face-to-face meeting with Smith and other union officials, which marks the first time in weeks that the two sides have had talks.
ESPN reports that the meeting was so secret, some NFL owners weren't aware it was taking place. Other owners in attendance reportedly were the Giants' John Mara and the Steelers' Art Rooney.
Kraft was not available for questions as the SUV he was in delivered him to the stairwell of his aircraft.
The U.S. 8th Circuit Court in St. Louis will have a hearing Friday involving the lockout. Reports last week were owners are confident they will prevail. The lockout is grinding toward a third month and Goodell acknowledged to reporters last week that "it's clearly had an impact on our fans already." This article was written by Brad Biggs and appeared in The Chicago Tribune.
Smith and five players sat with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and influential owners including the Cowboys' Jerry Jones and the Patriots' Robert Kraft for two days of meetings that concluded Thursday morning at a local hotel.
Kraft was spotted Wednesday boarding his private jet at DuPage Airport, a little less than 24 hours after arriving, sources told the Tribune. Also present during a full-day stakeout was the jet belonging to Jones, an unmistakable Gulfstream model with a star on each side of the tail.
Sources said Goodell also arrived in West Chicago via private jet Tuesday, and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was believed to be present, the sources said. The NFL office was unable to provide any details. Airport officials cited a confidentiality policy in declining to reveal information.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen were the first to report that there was a face-to-face meeting with Smith and other union officials, which marks the first time in weeks that the two sides have had talks.
ESPN reports that the meeting was so secret, some NFL owners weren't aware it was taking place. Other owners in attendance reportedly were the Giants' John Mara and the Steelers' Art Rooney.
Kraft was not available for questions as the SUV he was in delivered him to the stairwell of his aircraft.
The U.S. 8th Circuit Court in St. Louis will have a hearing Friday involving the lockout. Reports last week were owners are confident they will prevail. The lockout is grinding toward a third month and Goodell acknowledged to reporters last week that "it's clearly had an impact on our fans already." This article was written by Brad Biggs and appeared in The Chicago Tribune.
Union saves rookie symposium - Ingles
The NFL Players Association has stepped in to rescue the canceled rookie symposium.
The original symposium, which was to begin June 26th at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, was canceled by the NFL last week because of the lockout.
But the Players Association will instead host "The Business of Football: Rookie Edition'' June 28-29 in Washington, D.C., George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the Players Association confirmed to SI.com.
All 254 players selected in the draft will be invited to the event, which includes money management, media relations, and personal matters such as security and professionalism.
Agent Peter Schaffer, who was critical last week of the NFL's decision to cancel the beneficial annual session, praised the Players Association move.
"I think it's great,'' said Schaffer, who represents Browns No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, and Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs. "It's terrific that people want to step up and help these young men make the transition from amateur athletics to professional athletics.''
Schaffer said he'll encourage Taylor to attend the voluntary session in Washington, D.C. if the lockout is still on. The NFL's symposium was mandatory.
"It would be a great learning opportunity and educational experience,'' said Schaffer.
He re-iterated his dismay that the NFL is "dropping the ball on human issues'' including not paying for substance abuse treatment and counseling of players during the lockout or for NFL trainers to be present at players-only workouts going on in various cities.
"I understand the business aspect, but the human side should be totally outside the whole lockout,'' he said.
Attallah told si.com, "It was important for us to do this because it's a critical time in the lives of players who are about to enter the league. Lockout issues aside, it's important that players are prepared for this next phase in their lives and careers.''
The rookies will hear from current and former players during the event, as well as financial and other experts. The Players Association will pay for everything, including travel expenses. This article was written by Mary Kay Cabot and appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The original symposium, which was to begin June 26th at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, was canceled by the NFL last week because of the lockout.
But the Players Association will instead host "The Business of Football: Rookie Edition'' June 28-29 in Washington, D.C., George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the Players Association confirmed to SI.com.
All 254 players selected in the draft will be invited to the event, which includes money management, media relations, and personal matters such as security and professionalism.
Agent Peter Schaffer, who was critical last week of the NFL's decision to cancel the beneficial annual session, praised the Players Association move.
"I think it's great,'' said Schaffer, who represents Browns No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, and Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs. "It's terrific that people want to step up and help these young men make the transition from amateur athletics to professional athletics.''
Schaffer said he'll encourage Taylor to attend the voluntary session in Washington, D.C. if the lockout is still on. The NFL's symposium was mandatory.
"It would be a great learning opportunity and educational experience,'' said Schaffer.
He re-iterated his dismay that the NFL is "dropping the ball on human issues'' including not paying for substance abuse treatment and counseling of players during the lockout or for NFL trainers to be present at players-only workouts going on in various cities.
"I understand the business aspect, but the human side should be totally outside the whole lockout,'' he said.
Attallah told si.com, "It was important for us to do this because it's a critical time in the lives of players who are about to enter the league. Lockout issues aside, it's important that players are prepared for this next phase in their lives and careers.''
The rookies will hear from current and former players during the event, as well as financial and other experts. The Players Association will pay for everything, including travel expenses. This article was written by Mary Kay Cabot and appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Friday could be a turning point - Ingles
I've stayed above the fray in the labor dispute between the NFL owners and players. No. 1, it's baseball season. No. 2, the warring factions will eventually settle. They always do. No. 3, the constant whining over big-money labor disputes is boring. No. 4, it's pretty silly to cast one group as heroes, the other as villains.
There is plenty of blame to be tossed around, so throw two penalty flags for unsportsmanlike conduct, one on each side. There are no victims here. No owner is declaring for bankruptcy. And as much as we personally like outspoken NFL Players Association activist Drew Brees and most of the players, this isn't the movie "Norma Rae," and his colleagues aren't abused factory workers.
The NFL owners locked the players out because it's a hard-edged but standard bargaining tool in a tough negotiation. It doesn't make them fascists. And it doesn't make commissioner Roger Goodell the football version of Dr. Evil.
Rather than get serious about negotiating, the players preferred to put pressure on the owners through litigation. That's why the players hired a trial lawyer, DeMaurice Smith, to head the union and lead the charge against the owners. Everyone is playing hardball.
In my unemotional view, it seems as if the owners have been more willing than the players to hash all of this out through collective bargaining. Remember that the players, not the owners, walked away from the negotiations. And as long as the players were confident of prevailing in court, they had no reason to grant concessions to the owners at the bargaining table.
The players' path to victory may be blocked by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals here in St. Louis. Through a lawyer, each side will have 30 minutes to present its argument during a hearing Friday morning downtown at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse.
If as expected the 8th Circuit decides to keep the lockout in place, the players may be more motivated to resume earnest negotiations. Some players already have missed out on lucrative workout bonuses. If the standoff goes on much longer, the players will start to worry about the increased likelihood of missing paychecks. And that could lead to increasing pressure from within the union to make a deal with the owners.
Of course, if the 8th Circuit rules in favor of the players, the lockout will be lifted, official league business will resume, and that will likely lead to the official return of NFL football, on schedule, for 2011.
This is all about leverage. Either way, the court's decision should be a tipping point.
If I must lean to one side in this skirmish to divide $9 billion in annual revenue, I'll do it for selfish and blatantly parochial reasons.
I like having an NFL team in St. Louis. I like the idea of Sam Bradford and James Laurinaitis playing their entire NFL careers here and building something special for a thriving St. Louis Rams franchise. I'm in favor of anything that helps to secure the Rams' future in our town.
And if that means hoping that the owners get a workable deal, one that helps lessen the financial stress on the Rams, I won't apologize for that.
The next collective bargaining agreement will likely have significant influence on the Rams' financial standing and future. Sure, owner Stan Kroenke is a billionaire. He won't be panhandling. I get it. But that really isn't the point.
Everything I know and believe about Kroenke is that he'll operate the franchise in an efficient manner, with an emphasis on drafting and developing players. Kroenke won't be a huge, wanton spender racing out to buy celebrity free agents.
And while I don't believe Kroenke is in the football biz to make the maximum financial haul with the Rams — his big profits come through other business endeavors — he isn't in the NFL to lose money, or to see his team at a considerable disadvantage with a revenue base that lags far behind the big-market franchises and their vastly higher profit margins.
Kroenke isn't in this to lose games, either. I believe he'll try to make it work at the Edward Jones Dome, at least for a reasonable period of time, as long as the Rams can remain financially healthy and competitive.
As a Kroenke associate explained to me recently: If player costs remain relatively stable instead of escalating dramatically, the economic disparity won't be as pronounced. The higher-revenue teams will have an advantage, yes. But on the economic scale, there will be less of a gap between the top and the bottom. And the Rams reside in the lower-middle class of earners.
Translation: A good deal for the NFL owners will be a good deal for Kroenke, and that should help extend the Rams' viability in St. Louis.
It's ironic that this crucial proceeding will take place at the Eagleton Courthouse, named for the late U.S. senator from Missouri. Eagleton, of course, played a major role in brokering the deal that lured the Rams away from Los Angeles and to St. Louis.
And part of the agreement was a de facto escape clause that would allow the Rams to jump out of their lease if The Ed falls below the top-25 percent level of NFL stadiums. And because of that escape clause, which Eagleton signed off on, the franchise's long-term presence in St. Louis isn't firm. The way things look now, the Rams could opt out of the lease after the 2014 season.
But if Kroenke (and the other owners) are happy with the results of the CBA, it would be the first step in ensuring the Rams' financial health, even as they play in a venue that's becoming outdated by present-day NFL standards. Since The Ed opened in 1995, we've seen 18 new stadiums rise in the NFL, with four others being enhanced to become good-as-new through massive renovations.
At some point, the stadium issue here will be addressed. Public money for a new stadium is out of the question, but if Kroenke likes how his football investment is going in St. Louis, he'd be more inclined to build a stadium with his own money. And Kroenke would be abetted through financial contributions from the NFL, which assists owners in their new-stadium projects.
I'm not pro-owner.
I'm pro-STL.
These battling owners and players will come and go.
But I want the Rams to stay.
This article was written by Bernie Miklasz and appeared in The St.Louis Post-Dispatch.
There is plenty of blame to be tossed around, so throw two penalty flags for unsportsmanlike conduct, one on each side. There are no victims here. No owner is declaring for bankruptcy. And as much as we personally like outspoken NFL Players Association activist Drew Brees and most of the players, this isn't the movie "Norma Rae," and his colleagues aren't abused factory workers.
The NFL owners locked the players out because it's a hard-edged but standard bargaining tool in a tough negotiation. It doesn't make them fascists. And it doesn't make commissioner Roger Goodell the football version of Dr. Evil.
Rather than get serious about negotiating, the players preferred to put pressure on the owners through litigation. That's why the players hired a trial lawyer, DeMaurice Smith, to head the union and lead the charge against the owners. Everyone is playing hardball.
In my unemotional view, it seems as if the owners have been more willing than the players to hash all of this out through collective bargaining. Remember that the players, not the owners, walked away from the negotiations. And as long as the players were confident of prevailing in court, they had no reason to grant concessions to the owners at the bargaining table.
The players' path to victory may be blocked by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals here in St. Louis. Through a lawyer, each side will have 30 minutes to present its argument during a hearing Friday morning downtown at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse.
If as expected the 8th Circuit decides to keep the lockout in place, the players may be more motivated to resume earnest negotiations. Some players already have missed out on lucrative workout bonuses. If the standoff goes on much longer, the players will start to worry about the increased likelihood of missing paychecks. And that could lead to increasing pressure from within the union to make a deal with the owners.
Of course, if the 8th Circuit rules in favor of the players, the lockout will be lifted, official league business will resume, and that will likely lead to the official return of NFL football, on schedule, for 2011.
This is all about leverage. Either way, the court's decision should be a tipping point.
If I must lean to one side in this skirmish to divide $9 billion in annual revenue, I'll do it for selfish and blatantly parochial reasons.
I like having an NFL team in St. Louis. I like the idea of Sam Bradford and James Laurinaitis playing their entire NFL careers here and building something special for a thriving St. Louis Rams franchise. I'm in favor of anything that helps to secure the Rams' future in our town.
And if that means hoping that the owners get a workable deal, one that helps lessen the financial stress on the Rams, I won't apologize for that.
The next collective bargaining agreement will likely have significant influence on the Rams' financial standing and future. Sure, owner Stan Kroenke is a billionaire. He won't be panhandling. I get it. But that really isn't the point.
Everything I know and believe about Kroenke is that he'll operate the franchise in an efficient manner, with an emphasis on drafting and developing players. Kroenke won't be a huge, wanton spender racing out to buy celebrity free agents.
And while I don't believe Kroenke is in the football biz to make the maximum financial haul with the Rams — his big profits come through other business endeavors — he isn't in the NFL to lose money, or to see his team at a considerable disadvantage with a revenue base that lags far behind the big-market franchises and their vastly higher profit margins.
Kroenke isn't in this to lose games, either. I believe he'll try to make it work at the Edward Jones Dome, at least for a reasonable period of time, as long as the Rams can remain financially healthy and competitive.
As a Kroenke associate explained to me recently: If player costs remain relatively stable instead of escalating dramatically, the economic disparity won't be as pronounced. The higher-revenue teams will have an advantage, yes. But on the economic scale, there will be less of a gap between the top and the bottom. And the Rams reside in the lower-middle class of earners.
Translation: A good deal for the NFL owners will be a good deal for Kroenke, and that should help extend the Rams' viability in St. Louis.
It's ironic that this crucial proceeding will take place at the Eagleton Courthouse, named for the late U.S. senator from Missouri. Eagleton, of course, played a major role in brokering the deal that lured the Rams away from Los Angeles and to St. Louis.
And part of the agreement was a de facto escape clause that would allow the Rams to jump out of their lease if The Ed falls below the top-25 percent level of NFL stadiums. And because of that escape clause, which Eagleton signed off on, the franchise's long-term presence in St. Louis isn't firm. The way things look now, the Rams could opt out of the lease after the 2014 season.
But if Kroenke (and the other owners) are happy with the results of the CBA, it would be the first step in ensuring the Rams' financial health, even as they play in a venue that's becoming outdated by present-day NFL standards. Since The Ed opened in 1995, we've seen 18 new stadiums rise in the NFL, with four others being enhanced to become good-as-new through massive renovations.
At some point, the stadium issue here will be addressed. Public money for a new stadium is out of the question, but if Kroenke likes how his football investment is going in St. Louis, he'd be more inclined to build a stadium with his own money. And Kroenke would be abetted through financial contributions from the NFL, which assists owners in their new-stadium projects.
I'm not pro-owner.
I'm pro-STL.
These battling owners and players will come and go.
But I want the Rams to stay.
This article was written by Bernie Miklasz and appeared in The St.Louis Post-Dispatch.
Jags' staff out of step with Coaches' association - Ingles
The Jaguars became the second NFL coaching staff Wednesday to announce they weren't informed the NFL Coaches' Association was filing a brief supporting the players' bid to end the lockout.
"I checked with our guys and not one member of our coaching staff had knowledge of last week's brief filed by the Coaches' Association prior to the news breaking,'' coach Jack Del Rio said. "None were consulted or involved in any way. This action was taken without approval. Heck, it wasn't even mentioned to any of us.''
Larry Kennan, the head of the Coaches' Association, said it must have been an oversight because all the staffs were supposed to be notified.
The Redskins staff announced last week that they hadn't been notified.
The brief was filed for the hearing set Friday in St. Louis before an appellate court when the players will argue that the courts should lift the lockout.
Kennan said the staffs didn't have to approve the brief because the executive committee of the association approved the action. He added that some coaching staffs have already taken drastic pay cuts.
"We are protecting the coaches who need protection. Coaches have been affected negatively. If some feel they don't need protection, that is fine,'' he said.
Kennan said Jaguars coaches haven't had to take payouts and were told by owner Wayne Weaver that their salaries won't be reduced if no games are missed.
In the Redskins' statement last week, their coaches said, "We stand united with our ownership and the brief does not reflect our thoughts on the matter.''
The Jaguars' assistant coaches had issues with management because they were given one-year deals for the upcoming season, but weren't allowed to interview for lateral jobs with more security. But Kennan said they did not bring that issue to the association.
Meanwhile, Del Rio said the coaching staff is working on various contingency plans for whenever the lockout ends. The coaches don't know how long they will have to prepare for the season.
Jaguars coaches are already breaking down film of teams scheduled to be early season opponents, though they have no way of knowing if those games will be played.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars keep coming up with new ways to engage the fan base during the lockout.
They announced they will hold a Jaguars Movie Night at Everbank Field on June 24 for the showing of the film, "The Blind Side.'' The film is for season ticket holders and their guests. Fans can watch on the big screen from the stands or on a blanket and a beach chair on the field.
"It's to show our appreciation to our season ticket holders,'' said team executive Steve Livingston.
The Jaguars are preparing an all-out sales blitz for when the lockout ends.
Mackey Weaver, the senior vice president sales and marketing, said they may have to repeat the feat of selling 10,000 tickets in 10 days that they did to get the franchise in the first place.
"We have an action plan,'' he said.
This article was written by Vito Stellino and appeared in The Florida Times-Union.
"I checked with our guys and not one member of our coaching staff had knowledge of last week's brief filed by the Coaches' Association prior to the news breaking,'' coach Jack Del Rio said. "None were consulted or involved in any way. This action was taken without approval. Heck, it wasn't even mentioned to any of us.''
Larry Kennan, the head of the Coaches' Association, said it must have been an oversight because all the staffs were supposed to be notified.
The Redskins staff announced last week that they hadn't been notified.
The brief was filed for the hearing set Friday in St. Louis before an appellate court when the players will argue that the courts should lift the lockout.
Kennan said the staffs didn't have to approve the brief because the executive committee of the association approved the action. He added that some coaching staffs have already taken drastic pay cuts.
"We are protecting the coaches who need protection. Coaches have been affected negatively. If some feel they don't need protection, that is fine,'' he said.
Kennan said Jaguars coaches haven't had to take payouts and were told by owner Wayne Weaver that their salaries won't be reduced if no games are missed.
In the Redskins' statement last week, their coaches said, "We stand united with our ownership and the brief does not reflect our thoughts on the matter.''
The Jaguars' assistant coaches had issues with management because they were given one-year deals for the upcoming season, but weren't allowed to interview for lateral jobs with more security. But Kennan said they did not bring that issue to the association.
Meanwhile, Del Rio said the coaching staff is working on various contingency plans for whenever the lockout ends. The coaches don't know how long they will have to prepare for the season.
Jaguars coaches are already breaking down film of teams scheduled to be early season opponents, though they have no way of knowing if those games will be played.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars keep coming up with new ways to engage the fan base during the lockout.
They announced they will hold a Jaguars Movie Night at Everbank Field on June 24 for the showing of the film, "The Blind Side.'' The film is for season ticket holders and their guests. Fans can watch on the big screen from the stands or on a blanket and a beach chair on the field.
"It's to show our appreciation to our season ticket holders,'' said team executive Steve Livingston.
The Jaguars are preparing an all-out sales blitz for when the lockout ends.
Mackey Weaver, the senior vice president sales and marketing, said they may have to repeat the feat of selling 10,000 tickets in 10 days that they did to get the franchise in the first place.
"We have an action plan,'' he said.
This article was written by Vito Stellino and appeared in The Florida Times-Union.
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