NFL Players Solidarity? How about Fans Solidarity!

6 thoughts on “NFL Players Solidarity? How about Fans Solidarity!”

1. Good Morning from Omaha,

   great idea, Drew. fan solidarity and all.

   I have said it before here and will say it again. eventually, sports is going to kill the goose that laid the goldent egg.

   I can see in the not so distant future the NFL stadiums all being luxury suites and very little affordable seating.

   if you want to watch the game, you’ll have to go to a pay per view channel. THe good news is you can pick which games you want to watch at about $60 a game rather than buy season tickets. I love football but there are some real dog games on the schedule that I wouldn’t want to pay the full price to see. Or you will be able to get a season pass to the p.p.v. for $50 a game.

   The team will get there money and its the only way the games will remain affordable.

   IF I am wrong, and I usually are just a half abubble past plumb, the big dance will go on and on into time.

   Strive for excellence, nothing but your best.

   Gene

2. It’s just a game of chicken with the owners…both sides know they have a ton to lose if a strike comes to pass, regardless of how popular the NFL is. Hockey and Baseball are still recovering from their stoppages, and may never fully come back to their previous popularity.

   I’m actually sympathetic to the player’s gesture. The major networks that carry or cover the NFL must toe the line with the League offices (which are, obviously, supported by and supportive of team management), and in any labor dispute would make sure their side of the cuase was represented first and foremost.

   I mentioned before in a related topic that I don’t begrudge an athlete as much money as they can make – it’s an honest living that doesn’t force my contribution. But NFL players are in a position that no other sport athlete is in: always on the cliff. If you get cut from an NBA, NHL or even English Soccer team, you can still get a spot in a minor league or overseas. There is almost no such safety net for NFL diaspora.

   Add to that the pure physicality and short career span of most football players – the human body is simply not built to play the sport with any sort of longevity – and cashing in on a small window becomes vital. For every wildly successful Terrell Owens, there are 12 guys who spent two years as a backup at the league minimum before getting cut.

   Of course, I’m also a third-generation Union man; That may cloud my judgement somewhat.

3. Dear Mr. Litton,

   Loved the cartoon. This is why I love your artistry so much. I sometimes try to imagine how I would draw a topic you choose and yet you are much better at bringing it down to the essentials than I ever could even if I had your drawing skills (which I don’t).

   Its funny in a way. The owners are trying to show solidarity, and the players are showing solidarity. IF the fans showed the same solidarity then the first two groups would be so (bleep). However (and I hope this next part makes sense) fans are a lot like voters in elections. Fans will say “Players and owners are a bunch of greedy (bleep)…..except for my players and my team.”

   All the best

   Louis

4. Gene brought up a point about pay-per-view that I’d like to float. I’ve sent this idea into Time-Warner and on CNNSI and was ignored, so I’ll float it here:

   The NFL wants TW and other cable networks to put their channel on the basic tiers and force them to up the prices to carry it (even though NFL Network carries advertising). TW, to its credit, has refused to do so. I have a solution.

   TW can put the NFL Network on basic cable but not charge extra for it. What they can do is offer the out-of-market games on pay-per-view. Charge a reasonable amount for the viewing, say $10 per game. And just so DirectTV can keep it’s marketing share, make the PPV on cable good for one game only – no switching games.

   I would pay $10 per game to see the Broncos play in the comfort of my living room as opposed to going to a local sports bar (where I’ll probably pay $15 or more in food and tips). I’m sure that millions of fans would do the same. DirectTV might lose some customers, but that’s life in the big city. The revenue generated would be enough to keep the league going next year, wouldn’t you say?

5. Great dialogue today guys!

6. Harry: I like what Germany does: forces cable companies to offer channels a la carte, i.e., you only pay for the channels you want. It would be a major moneysaver for a lot of people: F’rinstance, I’d only need the ESPNs, Spike, History Int., Fuse, Fox Soccer, Vs., FX, Comedy Central and BBCAmerica. I imagine NFL Network would also get a ton of interest.