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While NFL owners and players try to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement, fans are in real danger of getting a raw deal.
Fans no doubt will resent both owners and players should a probable NFL lockout drag into spring and summer, followed by downright outrage if the start of the 2011 season is delayed. At this point, a lockout Friday appears imminent, with the gap between the two sides wider than the Grand Canyon.
Talk about irony. Super Bowl XLV was the most-watched television event in history. The NFL never has been more popular. Yet, the league is in danger of going on hiatus because the owners and players are divided on how to divvy up $9 billion. You can't make this stuff up.
The biggest issue is how the owners and players will divide the league's yearly revenue. Once that complicated issue is resolved, it should be easier to reach an accord on other matters like a potential rookie wage scale, a potential 18-game season and benefits for retired players. A rookie wage scale that would prevent new players like Cam Newton from making more than established veterans could be one part of a compromise.
It's anybody's guess how long it will take commissioner Roger Goodell and union head DeMaurice Smith to shake hands over a new deal. However, here are five things that might help a compromise between the owners and players to be reached:
1. An 18-game schedule. The players have good reason to oppose an 18-game season, most notably the increased risk of injury. But it's a concession that might be necessary to get a deal done. Increasing the regular season from 16 games to 18 is a sure way to generate more revenue. And it would create more jobs because rosters would have to be expanded.
Some have floated an idea where each player would be allowed to compete in only 16-of-18 games. However, something seems wrong with telling a healthy Clay Matthews or a healthy Ray Lewis to sit out two games to prevent them from going over a quota. Great players should be able to play when they can, and fans should be able to see them. Go to the 18-game schedule but cut back on offseason workouts and mandatory minicamps, giving players more of a true offseason.
The NFL should give shorter contracts to rookies--no more than four years--and allow them to reach free agency earlier in their careers, resetting their market value (contracts) based on NFL production and not potential. Under a rookie wage scale, a high draft pick who flops would not be as costly, either. And more lucrative contracts would go to veteran players who have earned them.
2. A rookie wage scale. First-round draft picks should not enter the league making far more money than All-Pro players at their position. The current system also hurts low-round draft picks who quickly become impact players and outperform their contracts.
3. Improved benefits for retired players. More and more former players are dealing with major health problems related to football injuries. That trend will continue.
Medical bills over an extended period of time can be economically devastating. By now, most of us have heard disturbing stories about retired players who are in bad shape physically and financially. Both owners and players should feel an obligation to help those who helped build this league into a $9 billion-a-year business. If owners get 18 games, the players should no doubt receive better long-term benefits.
4. No more franchise tag. Players who fulfill contracts should have the right to become free agents, instead of having their options severely limited by a franchise tag. At the least, the players should insist on some sort of franchise tag limitations--perhaps allowing teams to use the tag just once every two years.
5. A shorter preseason. Fans don't want four preseason games, and season ticket-holders are tired of paying regular-season prices for preseason games they don't want. The time for two preseason games has come.
The time for compromise has come as well, but it will take a lot more give-and-take on both sides to get a deal done. March is too early to panic, football fans, but you definitely should be worried.
Fans no doubt will resent both owners and players should a probable NFL lockout drag into spring and summer, followed by downright outrage if the start of the 2011 season is delayed. At this point, a lockout Friday appears imminent, with the gap between the two sides wider than the Grand Canyon.
Talk about irony. Super Bowl XLV was the most-watched television event in history. The NFL never has been more popular. Yet, the league is in danger of going on hiatus because the owners and players are divided on how to divvy up $9 billion. You can't make this stuff up.
The biggest issue is how the owners and players will divide the league's yearly revenue. Once that complicated issue is resolved, it should be easier to reach an accord on other matters like a potential rookie wage scale, a potential 18-game season and benefits for retired players. A rookie wage scale that would prevent new players like Cam Newton from making more than established veterans could be one part of a compromise.
It's anybody's guess how long it will take commissioner Roger Goodell and union head DeMaurice Smith to shake hands over a new deal. However, here are five things that might help a compromise between the owners and players to be reached:
1. An 18-game schedule. The players have good reason to oppose an 18-game season, most notably the increased risk of injury. But it's a concession that might be necessary to get a deal done. Increasing the regular season from 16 games to 18 is a sure way to generate more revenue. And it would create more jobs because rosters would have to be expanded.
Some have floated an idea where each player would be allowed to compete in only 16-of-18 games. However, something seems wrong with telling a healthy Clay Matthews or a healthy Ray Lewis to sit out two games to prevent them from going over a quota. Great players should be able to play when they can, and fans should be able to see them. Go to the 18-game schedule but cut back on offseason workouts and mandatory minicamps, giving players more of a true offseason.
The NFL should give shorter contracts to rookies--no more than four years--and allow them to reach free agency earlier in their careers, resetting their market value (contracts) based on NFL production and not potential. Under a rookie wage scale, a high draft pick who flops would not be as costly, either. And more lucrative contracts would go to veteran players who have earned them.
2. A rookie wage scale. First-round draft picks should not enter the league making far more money than All-Pro players at their position. The current system also hurts low-round draft picks who quickly become impact players and outperform their contracts.
3. Improved benefits for retired players. More and more former players are dealing with major health problems related to football injuries. That trend will continue.
Medical bills over an extended period of time can be economically devastating. By now, most of us have heard disturbing stories about retired players who are in bad shape physically and financially. Both owners and players should feel an obligation to help those who helped build this league into a $9 billion-a-year business. If owners get 18 games, the players should no doubt receive better long-term benefits.
4. No more franchise tag. Players who fulfill contracts should have the right to become free agents, instead of having their options severely limited by a franchise tag. At the least, the players should insist on some sort of franchise tag limitations--perhaps allowing teams to use the tag just once every two years.
5. A shorter preseason. Fans don't want four preseason games, and season ticket-holders are tired of paying regular-season prices for preseason games they don't want. The time for two preseason games has come.
The time for compromise has come as well, but it will take a lot more give-and-take on both sides to get a deal done. March is too early to panic, football fans, but you definitely should be worried.