Monday Morning Quarterback: Part 2

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Tue May 17, 2011 5:31 am

Greg, humble pie is what the players have to grab a piece of. If leadership is not representing a Union in a way that sees the big picture, then its time for new leadership. But its not going to happen, because the players don't have real life situations like most of America. For instance, if the NFL doesn't play at all this year and there is no work for these players at all, will any of these players have children who need braces but can't afford to get them? Or will any player in the NFL lose their home? Not their summer home in Maui. Their home. The answer is no.
I have no idea how this could work when these guys make so much money. Its a corporate game of "Chicken", but its ridiculous because when no one moves in a game of Chicken, you both die. Lol

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue May 17, 2011 7:17 am

(Former) NFLPA president Kevin Mawae said today the two sides are no closer now than they were in March.

Yay.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue May 17, 2011 7:57 am

Mediation ends with fourth round set for June.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... _headlines

Wow, it doesn't look like either side is eager to sit down and hammer this deal out. As expected, both sides will see what the courts say before getting a deal done. In the meantime, the football industry and its side industries like fantasy sports are left in the cold, waiting for a resolution.

Expect another long, slow two months folks. Nothing is happening anytime soon.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed May 18, 2011 2:44 am

It's almost a PR game right now between the two parties with the NFL saying "progress was made" and every NFL player saying the owners aren't serious about negotiating a fair deal. Now you have the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supporting the NFL and the right to lock out the players and it looks more and more like we're in for a long dogfight here.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6559848

The NFLPA will definitely wait to present its case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on June 3rd and take its best shot there, even though it doesn't look good. Mediation is set again for June 7th and maybe a miracle will happen through negotiations, but it's doubtful. Then in July after players have missed all of their workout bonuses and the courts haven't helped them out you'll start to see the cracks in the union armor and some players asking for a deal. The best chance to get a deal done is late July as both sides realize time will be needed to sign free agents, start training camp and save the regular season.

I believe that's the scenario we're facing. Does anyone else see a better scenario?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:07 am

Here's what CNBC's Darren Rovell just put on Twitter.com: One ticket broker just told me: "Our NFL sales are down 90% relative to this time last year." Fans scared to buy.