Football NFLPA vs Owners drama continues - Page 3

Mr. Laz · 02-13-2011, 09:16 PM

Updated: February 13, 2011, 10:01 PM ET
Sources: Sides could talk this week

By Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter
ESPN.com

When is a proposal not a proposal? When the NFL and the NFL Players Association are involved.

According to sources familiar with the talks, last week's negotiations between the NFLPA and the NFL broke off when the union characterized their documents as an "illustration" that NFL officials believed represented a proposal for revenue sharing between owners and players.

When the NFLPA characterized documents labeled "NFLPA Proposal" as something other than a collective bargaining proposal, the NFL ended the session, a source familiar with the talks said. League representatives then met outside the room, and returned only to abort the negotiations -- without immediately rescheduling any talks, the source added.
"As often happens in collective bargaining, the parties reached a point where there was a fundamental difference on a critical issue that was not going to be reconciled that day," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "The discussions were adjourned to permit both parties to assess their positions and consider how to move the process forward. Far from abandoning the process, in the first four days after the Super Bowl, we have had two meetings of our labor executive committee and negotiating team, a conference call with all 32 clubs, and a meeting with the union."
The day after negotiations broke down, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell convened a conference call with the owners of the 32 NFL teams and reported the developments of the previous day. A person familiar with that call said there was complete unanimity among the owners.
Despite the aborted Wednesday session, dialogue has continued between the two sides through smaller working groups as well as communication between Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. One player source said it is expected both sides will meet this week, as previously scheduled, and a management source did not refute that suggestion.
But there is a growing discord and mistrust between the two sides. Management was irritated by Smith's decision to release the owners' counter-proposal on a rookie wage scale to players and player agents, as opposed to offering a response directly to management. Even the choice of descriptive words were a source of irritation.
Whereas Smith noted that renegotiations or extensions of rookie contracts were "banned" until after the third year, a management official said the proposal "allows" for those renegotiations or extensions after the third year. Regardless, the intent and meaning are the same.
One person connected to the NFLPA said NFL owners were continuing to be "unreasonable," which accounted for the disintegration of last week's meeting.
Now, there are knowledgeable sources that previously were optimistic that CBA negotiations would not result in any lost games next year that are growing increasingly pessimistic. One source said last week's flare up was symbolic and illuminated the schism between the two sides. Now, there is a general feeling that some or all of the 2011 season may be at risk, though there is plenty of time for the two sides to continue talking and trying to bridge their vast differences.
Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Adam Schefter is ESPN.com's NFL Insider.

**BigMeatballDave** · 02-14-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

i don't know why

in what other business do the employees get 60% of the profits?

the fans gain nothing by the players making more money but have a chance to gain something by the owners having more free cash. Especially in smaller markets like Kansas City.

The players are the product. They deserve half.

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

I just don't see how the players can sit out a year. They stand to lose to much income that they'll never get back.

The Players have legit gripes but no leverage.

They are ****ed.

The faster a deal is inked the less they'll get ****ed.

Their best bet is to ink a short 3-5 year deal where they get about 25% of what they want, give up the inevitable ground in the short term (while they look for better representation,) and add some type of poison pill in the long term if a CBA isn't extended...

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

The players are the product. They deserve half.

NEVER happen...

Reerun_KC · 02-14-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Um, we will get along just fine without football.

The PLAYERS will certainly suffer. They obviously have a high opinion of themselves.

I gotta agree with you here...

There will be college football on Saturdays and hell they might even play some on Sundays if there is a lock out...

We wont suffer... Actually NFL fans might enjoy having the money they have to spend to attend these games.

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I gotta agree with you here...

There will be college football on Saturdays and hell they might even play some on Sundays if there is a lock out...

We wont suffer... Actually NFL fans might enjoy having the money they have to spend to attend these games.

Is there anything to prevent the scab players from filling in?...

Brock · 02-14-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Is there anything to prevent the scab players from filling in?...

Yes. It isn't a strike.

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Yes. It isn't a strike.

There's no law stopping entertainment in an empty stadium.

Brock · 02-14-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

There's no law stopping entertainment in an empty stadium.

?

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

?

Ok, the Hunts hire a team called the KC Champs to go play.

The game, rules, and everything else is the same. Scab players and refs, but that $3it will still be on TV before the networks just give up all that money for nothing.

Most would watch just to see the bloody mess (see also: XFL) that would follow...

philfree · 02-14-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

The players are the product. They deserve half.

I think the players are only part of the product. What about the huge high tech stadiums the players get to play in? They're a major part of the product too. The NFL is more than just the players. Heck at this point the fans are even part of the show. From Super Fans to who has got the loudest stadium and the most rabid fans. It's all part of the show.

PhilFree

Brock · 02-14-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Ok, the Hunts hire a team called the KC Champs to go play.

The game, rules, and everything else is the same. Scab players and refs, but that $3it will still be on TV before the networks just give up all that money for nothing.

Most would watch just to see the bloody mess (see also: XFL) that would follow...

Nobody watched the XFL. Nobody is watching the UFL.

**Rausch** · 02-14-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Nobody watched the XFL.

The first two weeks people did.

Then they soured on the fact the commentary was by WWF/WWE morons instead of capable sportscasters and it all fell apart before the level of talent even came into play.

Idea = good.

Presentation = VERY bad.

Brock · 02-14-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

The first two weeks people did.

Then they soured on the fact the commentary was by WWF/WWE morons instead of capable sportscasters and it all fell apart before the level of talent even came into play.

Idea = good.

Presentation = VERY bad.

So for a week or two, out of morbid curiosity, some people watched it. Then they didn't.

No football is better than shitty football.

Garcia Bronco · 02-14-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

The owners are banking on the fact the fans will turn on the players if a lockout occurs. That can be the only reason for their brazen attitude towards the players.

I'm firmly pulling for the players with this one.

I don't care, but the players have almost zero leverage. If you want to move something or someone...you need leverage.

**Dave Lane** · 02-14-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

NEVER happen...

They get 60% now.

02-13-2011, 09:16 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	NFLPA vs Owners drama continues Updated: February 13, 2011, 10:01 PM ET Sources: Sides could talk this week By Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter ESPN.com When is a proposal not a proposal? When the NFL and the NFL Players Association are involved. According to sources familiar with the talks, last week's negotiations between the NFLPA and the NFL broke off when the union characterized their documents as an "illustration" that NFL officials believed represented a proposal for revenue sharing between owners and players. When the NFLPA characterized documents labeled "NFLPA Proposal" as something other than a collective bargaining proposal, the NFL ended the session, a source familiar with the talks said. League representatives then met outside the room, and returned only to abort the negotiations -- without immediately rescheduling any talks, the source added. "As often happens in collective bargaining, the parties reached a point where there was a fundamental difference on a critical issue that was not going to be reconciled that day," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "The discussions were adjourned to permit both parties to assess their positions and consider how to move the process forward. Far from abandoning the process, in the first four days after the Super Bowl, we have had two meetings of our labor executive committee and negotiating team, a conference call with all 32 clubs, and a meeting with the union." The day after negotiations broke down, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell convened a conference call with the owners of the 32 NFL teams and reported the developments of the previous day. A person familiar with that call said there was complete unanimity among the owners. Despite the aborted Wednesday session, dialogue has continued between the two sides through smaller working groups as well as communication between Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. One player source said it is expected both sides will meet this week, as previously scheduled, and a management source did not refute that suggestion. But there is a growing discord and mistrust between the two sides. Management was irritated by Smith's decision to release the owners' counter-proposal on a rookie wage scale to players and player agents, as opposed to offering a response directly to management. Even the choice of descriptive words were a source of irritation. Whereas Smith noted that renegotiations or extensions of rookie contracts were "banned" until after the third year, a management official said the proposal "allows" for those renegotiations or extensions after the third year. Regardless, the intent and meaning are the same. One person connected to the NFLPA said NFL owners were continuing to be "unreasonable," which accounted for the disintegration of last week's meeting. Now, there are knowledgeable sources that previously were optimistic that CBA negotiations would not result in any lost games next year that are growing increasingly pessimistic. One source said last week's flare up was symbolic and illuminated the schism between the two sides. Now, there is a general feeling that some or all of the 2011 season may be at risk, though there is plenty of time for the two sides to continue talking and trying to bridge their vast differences. Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Adam Schefter is ESPN.com's NFL Insider.
Posts: 95,626