Rock out with your Lockout

Millionaires versus Billionaires, it's tough for me to feel empathy for anyone in this argument. Meanwhile the guy down the street has a moving van backed to his front door, with a couple of deputies watching, in Anytown America.

The owners are the ones who have opted out of the current CBA agreement. They voted to opt out 2 years early.

I'm siding with the players because I feel that the owners have dug themselves into their own hole. The owners want to keep the same percentage of sharing, but decrease what qualifies as sharable revenue with the players. The players take the biggest health risk by playing the game, and should be compensated fairly... It's up to everyone to figure out what, "fairly" is.
Give me a break please. Are there issues to work out yes, but all players and owners are more than "fairly" compensated for a game they all love. In 1987 players had a reasonable claim in that owners controlled the whole playing field. Now not so much. Players also are doing better at marketing themselves outside of the sport (ie manning). This is about two super rich groups risking alienating the very fanbase which has bought into the hype and enjoyment of a sports entertainment package. If the billionare owners and millionaire players can't understand that a large percentage of the fanbase may work 10 to 20 years to earn what they earn in a few seasons (for the lowest paid player) than they are all being selfish with a sport that I and my family enjoy the heck out of.

No my support is not a question of fairness to the players, or the pity on owners who just want a reasonable return. My support is for the thousands of fans across the nation on boards like this one day in and day out rooting and cheering and aching when their team wins and loses.

Hopefully the greedy owners and selfish players hear that message through their various sycophants and media outlets!

As someone else mentioned police put their lives on the line daily, I don't see millionaire police officers (well not ones who aren't corrupt). Teachers in truly downtrodden school systems risk life and limb in trying to elevate their students out of despair - tell them about a guy with a 40 million dollar contract who isn't being fairly treated. Tell the miners who go down into the depths of the earth that the poor football players are not given more than 5 years of guaranteed health benefits, I doubt you will though cuz they would look at you like you are crazy.

The owners are no better. Tell other ceo's that their return rate in this economy is "only" 8% (or whatever). Or take their woe is me story to baseball which would love to have the same type player salaries and non-guaranteed contracts.

Both sides are at fault for not acknowledging that this system that upshaw and the old commissioner worked out really is a boon for the sport and all involved ought to do everything in their power to ensure it stays upright.

The only players I feel a little pity for are the the grunts who work for the minimum or just a bit more than that. At least they have a case for being compensated for in case of serious injury or being cut.

CRedskins, I understand your point completely. But look at this statement you made:

The owners are no better. Tell other ceo's that their return rate in this economy is "only" 8% (or whatever). Or take their woe is me story to baseball which would love to have the same type player salaries and non-guaranteed contracts.

As much as the owners gripe about the players, the truth is the pie has grown larger and the game has gotten much more violent. For every Manning there are hundreds of Ethan Albrights. Those players who will continue to make relative chump change if we go in the direction the owners would like.

Yes there are billionaires and millionaires in the NFL. But the rising tide has not lifted all boats equally.

Give me a break please. Are there issues to work out yes, but all players and owners are more than "fairly" compensated for a game they all love. In 1987 players had a reasonable claim in that owners controlled the whole playing field. Now not so much. Players also are doing better at marketing themselves outside of the sport (ie manning). This is about two super rich groups risking alienating the very fanbase which has bought into the hype and enjoyment of a sports entertainment package. If the billionare owners and millionaire players can't understand that a large percentage of the fanbase may work 10 to 20 years to earn what they earn in a few seasons (for the lowest paid player) than they are all being selfish with a sport that I and my family enjoy the heck out of.

No my support is not a question of fairness to the players, or the pity on owners who just want a reasonable return. My support is for the thousands of fans across the nation on boards like this one day in and day out rooting and cheering and aching when their team wins and loses.

Hopefully the greedy owners and selfish players hear that message through their various sycophants and media outlets!

As someone else mentioned police put their lives on the line daily, I don't see millionaire police officers (well not ones who aren't corrupt). Teachers in truly downtrodden school systems risk life and limb in trying to elevate their students out of despair - tell them about a guy with a 40 million dollar contract who isn't being fairly treated. Tell the miners who go down into the depths of the earth that the poor football players are not given more than 5 years of guaranteed health benefits, I doubt you will though cuz they would look at you like you are crazy.

The owners are no better. Tell other ceo's that their return rate in this economy is "only" 8% (or whatever). Or take their woe is me story to baseball which would love to have the same type player salaries and non-guaranteed contracts.

Both sides are at fault for not acknowledging that this system that upshaw and the old commissioner worked out really is a boon for the sport and all involved ought to do everything in their power to ensure it stays upright.

Well when it comes to being fairly compensated... one of the hot issues at hand is the availability of information. The owners have repeatedly claimed that the times are tough, and new economical problems have risen, so more revenue is needed to offset these extra costs.

The NFLPA has acknowledged this complaint, but wants some proof of the impact on the owners themselves. In short, the NFLPA wants the owners to show them the books and go from there. The owners will not even discuss this as a possibility. The offer is completely off the table. (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/15/2586480/with-each-day-that-passes-likelihood.html)

Secondly, being fairly compensated also involves increased health benefits for the players. With the inevitability of an 18 games season, some real sticking points involve the players increased wages and health benefits for these two extra games. More games = more wear and tear on the body = more money to pay for the ailments. Rookie salaries are also up for debate as well.

Before you cry about how you don't want to hear their complaints because they're millionaires, consider the amount of work that an NFL player must go through in order to reach that status. It's an incredibly demanding job, and many players earn every penny through hard work, dedication, and a lot of luck.

Owners and players make way more money than they should now as it is. Why don't we move the NFL in the direction of the financial markets and allow us to get kick backs, "dividends", since we are the force that lines their pockets with green in the first place? That is the petition I want to sign. Until the day we have meaningful jobs like teachers, police officers and firemen get paid the same as these overpaid athletes, I will not be happy. I work just as hard as these guys who get to have fun for a minuscule percentage of their salary. Wait, am I sounding a tad bit bitter? Oops....

I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.

YouTube - The NFL Lockout Exposed! How It Came To Be...

Here's another take from former New England Patriots left tackle Brian Halloway.

. ... Before you cry about how you don't want to hear their complaints because they're millionaires, consider the amount of work that an NFL player must go through in order to reach that status. It's an incredibly demanding job, and many players earn every penny through hard work, dedication, and a lot of luck.
I want to be clear, I don't begrudge the players the money they make. Nor do the owners profit bother me. But sit down(both sides) and work out a reasonable solution recognizing that as a whole they are extremely fortunate people- all of whom have worked hard and are the best of the best in their profession. Don't ask me to cry or side with one over the other, simply sit down and do the hard work at the bargaining table, both sides give a little, and don't hold an outstanding fan base to your side's (either as an owner or player) most strict line.

I have a 13 year old son, NFL football is his passion, but he will "suffer" because grown men can't find common ground. That's a shame.

Sure it's a shame, but watching football is luxury to most of us. Most of us don't need the game to make a dollar. For players and owners football is a means of sustenance. For many players it's their only vehicle of employment and betterment.

I hate this argument. Let's really step back and look at this. Anyone can be a cop or a firefighter. Most people on this board could study/train for a year and become a cop or fireman. None of us could become world class athletes. What these players have are special skills that they hone, either for free or pay [tuition, equipment costs, etc], until the age of 20-21ish. Then they are given a very short career span to make money. Their routine work day includes far more violence and danger than the typical cop and fireman as well. I'm not saying service people don't face danger, but I'm arguing over the course of a week, a football player has a far higher risk of being seriously injured. Most of these guys get a short amount of time in the NFL, it's important they're well compensated.

I second that...

It's all based on the principles of supply and demand. If you think athletes are being paid too much it's in your best interest to NOT pay attention or monetarily support the sport. If you're the type of person who can't stop watching football then STOP complaining about the absurd amount of money in the game. If you feel that strongly about the comparasion between the pay of NFL athletes and community employees please don't reference how much you love and are knowledgable about the game because you are then part of the problem and are being hypocritical.

Simple solution for all of those holier than thou when it comes to the compensation...STOP watching, talking and knowing everything about it.

...I can't do that, that's why I'm at peace with the just payment for said demand.